Page 97 of Stolen Seconds

My heart went into overdrive seeing his appearance. He was covered in sweat and blood, his face harsh against the shadows of the room.

I clenched my teeth, pursing my lips before turning away from him.

Guilt speared through me for ignoring him, but if Ididn’t stand my ground, then I was compliant in staying here.

The click of the door grated against my ears, the sharp slam of it startling me. Moments later, the sound of the shower occupied the space.

Was that his blood or someone else’s? I itched to follow him inside and make sure of it myself, but my pride weighed heavier.

He came back to me in one piece, so there was that.

After a few more minutes, he reentered the bedroom with nothing but a low hanging towel around his hips.

No blood.

A sigh escaped me and damn him for invoking a tsunami of feelings in me.

Luca disappeared inside the walk-in closet before coming out with a handful of clothes.

With purposeful strides, he walked toward me, my pulse skyrocketing all over again.

He was too beautiful for his own good. Hard muscles, sharp features and a buzz cut that warmed my skin.

“Are you going to be difficult today?” His voice was rough, skating down my spine.

“Depends on whether you give me what I want.” My voice came out raspier than I intended, causing Luca’s eyes to darken.

“And what is it that you want,piccola ribelle?” His eyes held mine captive and I knew it would be undeniably easy to give myself up to him. To accept whatever he gave me, knowing I’d savor every second of it.

“Freedom.”

One word, yet it held more meaning than just being held captive by these four walls.

He stilled, letting his hand fall limp at his side as he pierced me with a hard stare. “Raise your arms, Irina.”

I sighed, following his order.

How the brute managed to piss me off and swell my heart with affection for him simultaneously, I’d never know.

He’d been changing my clothes for me ever since I told him I wasn’t ready to see myself and even went as far as covering the mirror in the bathroom.

Nausea burned my chest at how weak I must appear, and I hated it.

Luca slipped the camisole over my head, replacing it with a long sleeve shirt. His gaze held mine the whole time, with an emotion I couldn’t place.

My pants went next, and every stroke and stare left me breathless, proving the unprovoked effect this man had on me from the slightest attention.

When he put my boots on my feet, curiosity peaked. “Where are we going?”

He stood and walked back inside of the closet before coming out dressed in his signature outfit, jeans, and a white tee shirt under a leather jacket. With his neck tattoos, he was every woman’s dream and nightmare all in one.

“Out.”

Instantly, my mind went into creating possible escape plans. I didn’t question him further, not wanting to sound too eager about finally getting out of here.

I stood from the bed, my body shaking from restlessnerves. If I succeeded in leaving him, what would happen then?

He grabbed his keys from the nightstand and walked toward me, stopping when the toe of his boots touched mine. “Make me regret this, Irina. I dare you.”

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