Page 93 of Stolen Seconds

The wild glint in his eyes made me shift on my legs from his attention.

He noticed, nose flaring as he caught my eyes, and I suddenly forgot why I was angry with him.

Tension simmered in the warm air between us, and my pulse thrummed rapidly at the possibility that he’dmarkme here and now.

I held my breath as he took a slow step toward me, as if a pace faster than that would have me running off.

Then without a word, he diverted his darkening gaze away and crossed the few steps to the bathroom.

When the sound of running water resonated, I followed him inside just as he was peeling off his clothes.

With his back turned, I admired the sculpted planes of his body all over again. It was hard not to when he was this beautiful. Toned muscles wrapped tight with sharp scars and black ink that were more prominent in the bright light.

The realization hit me full force.

He wasn’t here to spite me. He was here to ground me as my mind cluttered with grim thoughts.

My throat tightened, the sting of tears burning my eyes. I was a coward, afraid of accepting my reality when Luca unabashedly displayed the fucked up parts ofhimself so openly.

How could I perceive him as beautiful yet perceive myself the opposite?

With a swelling ache in my chest, I dragged my feet to where he stood before wrapping my arms around him from behind, burying my face in his back.

It was hard to hold on to my anger when he’d done this for me. He was always there to catch me when I fell, and ithurt. It hurt knowing he was the only one who was patient enough to peel back my layers and see what lurked beneath the surface.

“Thank you.”

After what felt like minutes, he finally sighed, holding my arms with his calloused hands, the beat of his heart pounding erratically against my palm. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was nervous.

“I’m going to take off your bandages,” he said, his grip on me strong.

The urge to pull away and plead with him to leave me alone pulsed heavy, but I held him tighter, the warmth of his skin melting the iciness coating my own. I wouldn’t be afraid.

He turned around, an ominous shadow looming over his troubled face. “I’m not here to hurt you.”

With my eyes locked on his, I saw the truth in his words, knowing he’d done more for me than I could ever repay.

I nodded my head, trusting him wholeheartedly.

My breathing turned shallow as he reached for me and peeled back the first covering, then the next and the next.

Cool air hit the newly exposed skin, a sense of lightness cascading over me.

I watched his focused expression as he gauged my reaction and the cautious way he continued removing them. His gentleness was such a contrast to his appearance, it almost made me laugh.

He held my hand, directing me inside the shower where the inviting water sprayed down on us.

With my back pressed to his chest, he anchored me, his presence a protective embrace to my jittery nerves.

“I’m going to touch you,” Luca stated, his voice heavy—cautious. “Is that okay?”

I nodded as I leaned my head back against his shoulders, eyes closing.

“I need to hear you say it, Irina.”

“Yes,” I whispered, my heart somersaulting in my chest. “It’s okay.”

If it was anyone else, I didn’t think I’d even have the courage to take the risk.

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