Page 58 of Lunar Crest University

“Cleaning you up,” he says gently.

He carries me into the bathroom, where he sets me down long enough to get the hot water going before bringing me into the shower with him. The water feels good against my skin as steam billows around us, and my eyes close as he lathers some soap in my hair, massaging his fingers into my scalp. He presses kisses to my shoulder as he washes my body, and we’re both quiet as I let him work.

I’m scared shitless. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. My body is sore already, and I revel in the pain, because it reminds me it’s fromhim. I feel the effects from him everywhere, especially in my chest, where my pounding heart stutters as he washes me from head to toe with tender fingers.

How can I fight my feelings for him when he does things like this? When he kisses me all over like I’m his? When he looks at me the way he did when I came?

Thatlook—those dark brown eyes that felt like they were staring directly into the depths of my soul. There’s no way he looks at every girl he’s been with like that, and if he does…Fuck.

“I wish you could stay,” I whisper, and my eyes flash open as I realize I’ve said that out loud instead of in my head.

He scrubs my back gently. “Yo también, mi amor.”

I turn to peek at him over my shoulder. “What does that mean?”

“Me too, my love.”

The water cascades over us as I observe him through the steam. He’s so beautiful, it’s almost unfair. He’s looking at me…likethatagain, and the doubt swirls in the pit of my stomach. Does he really only look at me like that?

Lifting my hand timidly, I twist in his arms as I place it over his chest. The confirmation is there beneath my palm—his heart thrashing wildly—and it’s like a puzzle piece falling into place. His hand coming up to rest over my own only solidifies it.

I’m falling for him.

Chapter Twenty-Three

FINLEY

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24TH, 2023

Picking at the hem of my plaid skirt, I toe at the strange, black and white patterned carpet in the hallway outside of my hotel room with my pumps. Touring Jane Austen’s home is on the itinerary today, and Genevieve was supposed to be out here fifteen minutes ago so we could meet Luca in the lobby downstairs, but it has been oddly quiet in her room.

With a huff of air through my lips, I hesitantly approach her door, lifting my hand feebly to rap my knuckles against the wood.

“Genevieve?” I call out softly.

It’s silent for a few moments before the door finally cracks open, and I see her peeking out at me. She looks terrible—she’s wearing a hoodie that looks like it’s swallowing her whole, the bags underneath her eyes are concerningly dark, and the tip of her nose is red. Shooting me a weak glare, she sniffles.

“Oh no,” I whisper. “Are you okay?”

“Do Ilookokay?”

I bite at the inside of my lip. “Do you need me to grab you anything? Medicine?”

She shakes her head, looking at me pointedly. “You’ve done enough by keeping me up all night with your sexcapades. I’m happy for you, really, but tell him to stuff a sock in your mouth next time.Please.”

A strangled breath leaves my lungs at her words as I freeze. The worst-case scenario runs through my head: she knows it’s him. She knows aboutus. We’re screwed. Goosebumps travel across my skin, and shivers ripple down my spine at the thought. A pathetic attempt at saving this tries to escape my lips, but Genevieve closes the door in my face before I can even try.

Shit.

I can hear my heartbeat in my ears, and my hands start to shake from the adrenaline that’s pumping through my veins. What if she knows? What if she tells someone about us? As pitiful as it sounds, I’m more worried about what will happen to Luca if this gets out, worried about what he’ll say if he knows that someone possibly found out about our…situation. Would it be over?

Of course, it would.

But I can’t fret about it right now, because I’m already late meeting him in the lobby. I can’t fret because we’re in England, about to tour Jane Austen’s house, and…it’s just going to be me and Luca. We have an entire day to ourselves now. We could benormal, even if it's just for one day. I’ll give myself this day and fret about Genevieve tomorrow.

Straightening my shoulders, I swallow the thick lump in my throat as I twist on my heel to make my way toward the stairs and down to the first floor. My steps are meticulous as I quickly try to clear my head, not wanting him to see the worry etched on my face.

Luca stands near the front desk with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his brown slacks, looking drool-worthy, as usual. His hair has grown out since I first met him, curlier than ever, with some strands pushed behind his ear. Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, he lifts his head just as I reach the bottom step, and the corner of his lips twitch.

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