off as my gaze focused fully on the face only inches from mine. I’d seen him a week ago, and I wouldn’t forget him if my life depended on it. Those dark eyes and flawless skin were nothing compared to his plump lips which were…in a straight line. Shit.
His eyes narrowed on me as if he recognized me, but I knew he wouldn’t. I was a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of things, but as he opened his mouth, I wished he would have remembered me. For once I wanted to be seen and not forgotten about.
“You okay?” His deep timbre rolled around us. Goose bumps prickled over my skin, warning me of something, but I didn’t listen.
I nodded, so fast I made myself dizzy. “I’m fine.” I cleared my throat but didn’t move a single inch. His palms were burning through my T-shirt and I was sure he’d scorch my skin at any moment.
His fingers tensed, but he didn’t let go. He kept his hold on me, and I wondered if he realized. “It’s Luna, right?”
“I…” I blinked. “Yeah, it is.”
His lips pulled up into a smile. Not the same kind he’d given Cardo and Chiara, but it was still a genuine one. “The kids haven’t stopped talking about you.”
“The kids?” I swallowed and took a step back causing his hands to drop from my arms. It hadn’t even occurred to me that they were his kids. I’d been in a dream world when I met him, and if I was honest, I’d only thought about his face when I felt like I couldn’t get away from the loudness in my apartment. I hadn’t thought about who he was.
He ran his large hand over his jaw, the sound of his short scruff making me bite down on my bottom lip. “Yeah. Cardo and Chiara?” He tilted his head to the side, his brows lowering. “My brother and sister.”
“Oh!” I chuckled, feeling my breath rush out of me. “I wasn’t sure who…” I threw my hands in the air. “I mean…” I glanced away, then back to him. His full attention focused on me was almost too much to handle. “I wasn’t sure what…” I screwed up my nose, realizing that I was making no sense.
“You weren’t sure?” His lips kicked up on one side as he planted his hands on his hips, showcasing those damn forearms again. What was it about those things?
“I erm…” I stuttered a breath and took a step forward. I didn’t know why I moved closer to him. “I thought you might have been their dad.”
His eyes darkened, swirling with something I couldn’t quite place. Secrets. That was what it was. He was holding on to secrets.
“No.” His voice was deeper now. “I may as well be though.” He said it so low I almost didn’t hear him. But I did. His words floated to my ears whether he meant them to or not.
“Right,” I whispered. I was caught in a bubble with this man, one that I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t even know his name, yet I found myself utterly captivated by him. “So erm…you go here?”
His head snapped back, his stare meeting mine once again. “What?”
I bit down on my bottom lip. “I asked if you went here?”
“Me?” He pointed one of his long tan fingers at his chest. “Hell no.” He chuckled, probably trying to sound easy, but I saw through it. He was covering up whatever he was really feeling.
I wanted to know what it was. What was he trying to put a front up about? What was he trying to hide? I was a master at putting on my mask, but it seemed like so was he.
“Oh.” I stood taller, trying not to focus on the fact that I was in a threadbare pair of jeans and an oversized T-shirt. “So you’re here because…” His nostrils flared at my question, his lips down-turning into a straight line. I’d gone too far with the questions, and now the goose bumps on my skin were there for a different reason. “Sorry.” I shook my head and pulled my bag higher on my shoulder. “I tend to ask too many questions.”
“Yeah, you do,” he whipped back. I swallowed, widening my eyes at him. What was I doing? What was I thinking? “Whoa.” He chuckled again, this time sounding totally different. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” He stepped forward, leaving just inches between us. “I was joking, Luna.”
The way