The Woman at the Docks - Jessica Gadziala Page 0,49

front of me. "But if you like the scruff, I guess that can stay," he conceded as he pulled on his pants and socks, did his belt. I watched, finding myself fascinated with every motion. He left his shirt open as he walked out of the bedroom.

I sat there alone, wondering what he was doing for a moment before he returned, a coffee mug in each hand, bringing mine to me, sitting down beside me for a moment. "I don't have any flavoring, but I will pick some up." he told me as I took a sip, finding the right mix of cream and sugar. "I found another reason to skip the shave," he told me, eyes heated.

"Oh, yeah?" I asked, head dipping to the side a bit, watching as he leaned forward, pressing a kiss to the side of my neck.

"Don't mind having my mark on you," he told me, making my belly flip-flop.

"Well, then, you should see my inner thighs," I told him, feeling the delicate burn anytime my legs shifted.

A low growl escaped him at that. "Don't tempt me," he demanded, climbing off the bed. "I won't be long," he assured me, taking big gulps of his black coffee as he moved across the room, setting it down on his dresser as he moved into his closet. "But if you think of anything else you want me to pick up, let me know. You have my number. I will change your name in it for now. But be careful of saying anything too obvious in case someone is looking over my shoulder."

"I won't bother you at work," I told him, shaking my head.

"No, if you need me, get in touch. I don't mind."

"Okay," I agreed, a little disappointed as he slipped in his cufflinks, knowing the dressing ritual was done, knowing he was about to leave.

"There's not a whole lot in the fridge, but the freezer is packed. I will bring home essentials with me later."

"Luca," I called as he made his way to the doorway. "Thank you."

"I told you you don't need to thank me," he said, shaking his head.

"Still. Thank you. You didn't have to believe me. And I would have had no way to do... anything if you hadn't reached out after I ran."

"Speaking of," he said, moving out of the room, coming back with my wallet. "I snagged this. I couldn't get anything else without it seeming suspicious, but I wanted to get this to you. I don't want you to think you have to stay here with me because you have no other choice."

"I didn't think that," I assured him, shaking my head. "I want to be here," I added, wanting to get that look of vulnerability out of his eyes.

"Good," he told me, reaching out to stroke his finger down my jaw. "Because I want you here too," he told me before moving out to the doorway again. "I'll be early," he promised.

And then he was gone.

And I was alone in his penthouse apartment with leftover lasagna and one of his white dress shirts.

I washed out our coffee cups, did a little spiffing up just because I had nothing better to do, then took a series of cat naps that my body told me it not only wanted, but needed. To make up for all the crummy nights of sleep, all the fear, all the uncertainty.

Eventually, I made my way into the master bath, sights set on the massive soaking tub, filling it with water and one of the fancy bath bombs that were on a little table beside the tub, likely as decoration, but I figured Luca wouldn't miss one since he didn't exactly seem like the bathing sort.

Apparently, Luca's idea of 'early' was around three in the afternoon, coming back unannounced, making panic grip my system as I sat there naked in the tub as I heard footsteps through the house, coming closer.

"Romy?" Luca's voice called, and if I wasn't mistaken, there was a hint of panic there. Like I had been lying to him about wanting to be there. Like I had changed my mind.

But then he moved into the bathroom, shoulders immediately going lax, eyes getting warm as his gaze slid over me.

"Sorry, I wasn't sure it was you. And I didn't want to be inviting your brother or Lucky back here," I told him, watching as he reached for his cufflinks, pulling them free, setting them on the counter. Then slipped out of his jacket, his