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Lucca

Everything is finally falling into place. The house, getting my old job with Julian back. I know Claire is close to giving in, to telling me she wants me, that she wants to give us a chance. Last night I let my mouth get the best of me, and I told her something that I had never told anyone.

Love didn’t exist in my job or life, not until Claire. I know the risk I took in loving her, and I will do whatever I can to make certain I keep her protected and out of my darkness. She is the single beacon of light in my life. I need her light to balance me because without her… I am a man walking the edge of a knife’s blade.

Now that I’m working with Julian again, I have no fears. The biggest of my enemies is now my ally. Everything is back to the way it’s supposed to be. All I have to do now is get Claire to admit that she wants this. A relationship, a future, maybe even marriage and kids.

Honestly, I just want her by my side.

The afternoon bleeds into evening, and now that we’ve been here for two days, I think it’s time we go visit her parents. I stop in the doorway of the second bedroom, the one she would rather stay in than with me. Although I’m not surprised. When I bought this house and had this room designed, it was with her in mind.

“I have a surprise,” I announce, leaning against the door jamb.

“What’s that?” Claire asks without looking up from her book. She’s been trying to prove that she’s not interested, but I catch her watching me often, and I know she craves my touch.

“I want to take you out to dinner.”

Hope flashes in her eyes. “Like on a date?”

I smirk. “Yes, like a date.”

“Where are we going?” she asks, jumping up from the bed.

“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, now would it?”

Her bottom lip juts out. “Not fair, Lucca.”

“Life is not fair, butterfly.”

Her hips sway as she saunters over to me, and I grip the doorframe to stop myself from grabbing onto her. “I was actually thinking maybe we could also see Steven and Tracy tonight. I told them I would visit, and I feel bad that I left the way I did.”

“Sure, whatever you want.”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Claire cocks her head to the side, giving me an adorable expression that’s a cross between seductive and curious. Her heart-shaped face and soft pink lips call to me. We haven’t had sex or shared a bed since we arrived here, and I’m developing blue balls.

However, I told myself that I wouldn’t touch her again until she’s decided. Until she’s chosen what she wants, and right now, she’s tempting the fuck out of me.

“Whatever I want?” She gives me a seductive smile.

I know what she is up to, and for once, it is me who feels like the prey.

“Don’t tempt me, Claire. I’ve wanted to fuck you across every surface of this house since we walked through the front door, but I told myself that until you make up your mind. Until you’re certain about what you want, I’m not going to have sex with you.”

Her mouth pops open, and then she says, “Really?” It slides off the edge of her tongue like she didn’t mean to give voice to the word.

I don’t understand why she finds it so surprising. Actually, I do. I’ve always taken what I want. Always been in control. I can see why she would be surprised that I’m not acting on instinct.

“Yes, really. We’re leaving in an hour.” I tap the non-existent watch on my wrist.

“You amaze me, sometimes.” She shakes her hair out, and strands of red hair fly everywhere. Her beauty makes my cock want to break past the zipper of my jeans. “It feels like you’re changing, but still the same.”

I smile. “I just want you to be happy, Claire. I want to be happy with you. Together, side by side. I know you’re young, and I’ve put you through some shit. Life isn’t easy or fair, and you had your fair share of heartache, but I’ve always put your happiness and safety before anyone else.”

“Stop twisting me with your words.”

“They aren’t just words.”

“To me, they are.”

My smile widens. “We’ll see about that. I’ll be waiting downstairs for you.” I push away from the door and retreat down the hall.

* * *

One hour later, Claire comes walking down the stairs in a cream-colored maxi dress. The sleeves are short, and the neckline plunges low, so low that my eyebrows raise, and I consider telling her to turn around and march her pretty little ass back into the closet to find something else.

Luckily, I bite my tongue because as she gets closer, I discover the neckline isn’t too bad, not with the two tied pieces of fabric in the front. There’s a slit on the dress, revealing a bit of leg, but I’m going to have to get used to letting Claire do this shit. It doesn’t mean I can’t spank her ass and withhold orgasms from her once we’re home, though.

“You look amazing,” I say when she reaches the last step.

Her gaze sweeps over me. I’m wearing a three-piece suit, something I haven’t worn in a while. It feels nice to be back in my element.

“As do you.”

“Let’s get out of here before I’m tempted to rip that dress off of you.”

“Do not even think about it!”

I smirk and take her hand in mine. Together we walk out to the SUV, and I help her inside. I’m excited to see Claire’s face when she discovers what the surprise is. On the way to the restaurant, Claire is unusually quiet and looks out the window the entire way. I want to press her on what she is thinking, but I don’t want to push her over the edge.

Everything is happening so fast. I came back into her life. Brought her back home. Got us a house. Told her I love her. I’m sure she has whiplash like she’s never experienced.

“Are you okay?” I ask, loud enough for her to hear when we reach the restaurant.

Claire turns to me, a slow smile creeping onto her face. “Yes, just thinking. I’m excited to see this surprise.”

“Then, let’s go,” I say.

We climb out of the SUV and step onto the street. The restaurant is popular as hell, so I had to park about a block down from it. Like a magnet, I’m drawn to Claire’s side. I want to grab her hand and hold on to it, but I need her to make the first move.

She walks a few steps ahead of me, and I can’t stop myself. Her hips sway in a seductive come-and-get-me invitation that makes my cock stiffer with each step I take. As we approach the crosswalk, I stop, but Claire doesn’t. She continues to walk, and I reach to pull her back toward me and ask her what the fuck she is doing when a car comes barreling around the corner without its headlights on.

Fear strikes hard, and my heart stops beating as I barely latch onto Claire’s shoulder and pull her back in time. A whoosh of air hits us as the car speeds by, not even slowing down the slightest.

“What the fuck, Claire?” I growl, turning her to face me.

Her big green eyes are huge, her face a mask of fear and shock. I give her a gentle but firm shake to bring her back to the present.

“I…” her lip trembles, “I… don’t know. I was just walking, and I didn’t hear or see the car. I’m sorry.”

My nostrils flare, and my lungs burn, thankful for the air that fills them. Fuck. I wish there was a way to fix her hearing. It seems it’s getting worse, and I can’t help but think of how horrible this could’ve ended if I wasn’t here.

“Shhh, it’s okay. There’s nothing to be sorry about.” I wrap my arms around her and speak into her good ear. It might be too soon, but I’d be willing to go to Julian and ask him if he knows a doctor that can help.

Claire pulls away and looks up at me. “I wasn’t trying to kill myself. I swear. I just didn’t hear the car, and there were no lights.”

“I know. I believe you.” I smooth a hand down the side of her head. “Let’s get into the restaurant so you can find out what your surprise is.”

Claire smiles, but there is a sadness in her eyes. “Okay.”

We continue our walk to the restaurant, and this time, I take Claire’s hand in mine, refusing to let her go, afraid that something bad might happen before we can get into the restaurant. We’re greeted by a hostess, and Claire looks around the restaurant in awe.

“Reservation for Torres,” I tell the hostess who eye fucks me to an uncomfortable degree.

“Of course.” She smiles, but that smile falls when she spots Claire. I tug her forward, drawing her attention back to me.

She leans into my side. “I don’t even want to know how you can afford a place like this.”

“If you don’t ask, then I won’t tell.” I smile, not wanting to go into detail on what I get paid to kill people. It’s not exactly the best dinner conversation. The hostess turns on her heel to take us to the secluded room I rented for the evening.

“It’s almost time for your surprise,” I say.

My only hope is to see her smile and feel her happiness.

That’s all that matters to me.