Page 48 of Stuck On Them

His other arm was done completely in black ink and started with a moon wrapped around his shoulder. The scene below it was a breathtaking scene of a cityscape morphing into a forest.

“Luca.” His name came out entirely too breathy, but I was taken aback by the display, and I hadn’t even checked out his legs yet.

“If I had known my tats would get this reaction out of you, I would have taken my clothes off a lot sooner.” He smirked and started to lift the hem of his shirt.

“Don’t!” I stepped back, making room for him to come inside.

With a victorious grin, he walked in, bringing the most delicious-smelling cologne known to man. It was so subtle, and he smelled sensual and spicy to match his personality.

“I won’t take it personally that you don’t want me to take my shirt off.” He looked around and then turned to look at me as I shut the door. “Nice place.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Bull shit.”

Luca chuckled. “Okay, okay, it’s not the most glamorous place, but it’s got character.” He walked over to my couch, flopping down on it and making himself at home. “So, what have you been up to?”

I crossed my arms, a bead of sweat trickling down my back. “Applying for jobs.”

“That’s no way to spend your weekend.” He leaned forward and grabbed the romance novel I was reading. “Ryker has this book.”

I quickly crossed the short distance and snatched it from him. It was my first time reading a book that had multiple men with one woman and the last thing I needed was for him to open it up to a sex scene.

“Wait... did you say Ryker has this book?” I hugged it to my chest as if he had laser eyes to see the pages.

“Oh, yeah. My man has quite a few he hides behind his legal thrillers.” He sat back and crossed his ankle over his knee as if he was restless.

“Have you read any?” I couldn’t believe Ryker had a secret stash of romance novels. No wonder he didn’t want me looking at his books while I was in his office. There was nothing to be embarrassed about.

“No, but I’ve definitely tried to take a few of his. He shuts that down pretty quickly. He said I couldn’t handle them.”

I held up the book I was reading. “Do you know what these are about?”

He shrugged. “Sex?”

I brought the book back against me, hugging it. “With multiple men. All together.”

“Threesomes? Orgies?” He stood and came toward me, his eyes where I was clutching the book. “Let me read.”

I put the book behind my back as he stopped in front of me. “Some, but they are all... in love. She loves them all.”

“Oh, really?” He sounded surprised. “So you’re telling me that Ryker has been reading romance novels where a woman has multiple boyfriends? Do they have multiple girlfriends?”

“No. That’s the whole point of it. She doesn’t have to choose, and they are completely devoted to her.” I was really starting to sweat now, and my face felt like it was on fire. Of all conversations to have with Luca, why did it have to be about why choose romance?

Luca’s eyes were full of mischief. “Interesting concept,” he said, his voice low. “I can see the appeal.”

I took a step back, running into my counter and dropping the book. “You can?”

He reached toward me and tucked a stray hair behind my ear. “Of course. Why would I not entertain the idea of falling in love with a woman who isn’t afraid to go after what she wants? And if it’s with my two best friends? Even better.”

“But-” He put his finger across my lips.

“Come out with me. Just as friends.” He trailed his finger down to my chin, down my neck, and stopped right in the center of my chest. “Being out on the water can give you some clarity.”

“The water?” My heart was beating so wildly that I was surprised he didn’t say something about it as he circled his finger on my skin. I didn’t try to stop him; I craved the touch.

“We’ll cruise around on my boat and then have dinner while watching the sun set.”

“That sounds, um... romantic not friendly.” My lids were growing heavy as he drew random shapes on my exposed skin.

---