Luca laughed and shook his head. “Man, you should see your face. Like a deer caught in the headlights.”
I reached forward and swatted his arm before unbuckling and getting out after Ryker. “It’s way too much. How much does a place like this cost? Is that rude to ask?”
“Not at all.” Luca shut his door and walked to the back of the SUV that was opening. “It was just under twenty, so about ten after me and Leo split the cost.”
“Twenty million?” I looked down at the epoxy-covered floor and over at the two cars parked on the other side of the garage. “I can’t wrap my mind around that much money.”
“Just so you know, he donates just as much if not more than what he spends.” Garrett helped Luca pull our bags out of the back. “A lot of the time anonymously.”
“One of you needs to donate to my student loans.” I wanted to hide the second it came out of my mouth. “Just kidding.”
“Done.” Ryker took my hand and pulled me toward the door into the house. “Give me your lender and the account number.”
I stopped, his arm yanking me forward a little as he kept going. “I was joking.”
“Well, I’m not. Give Luca and Garrett the other sticky notes I saw.” He came back to stand in front of me, taking my face in his hands. “It can be an early Christmas present.”
“I don’t know what sticky notes you’re talking about.” I couldn’t just let them pay off all my debt. Maybe if we had been dating for longer, I’d consider it.
“No big deal if you won’t give us the information. I can get it.” Luca winked as he went up the single step to the door and opened it.
Ryker searched my eyes and, when I didn’t say anything else, he let me go, but not before kissing me. All I needed were their kisses, not their money. They were paying me enough as their assistant as it was.
“Come on. Wait until you see inside.” Ryker took my hand again and I followed him inside, Garrett following with our bags.
We entered into a mudroom which opened into a wide hallway off the foyer. Already I felt at ease being away from the city.
The house was like something straight off of Zillow late-night searches. The living space was wide open with a large living room and a kitchen worthy of a Michelin-star chef.
Everything was white, cream, or beige with pops of blues and greens in the artwork and accessories throughout the space.
I ran my hand along the back of one of the couches and went to one of the floor-to-ceiling windows. The pool was lit up, with water jets shooting across it.
“It’s heated.” Luca came to stand next to me. “Or there’s a jacuzzi.”
I shook my head, looking at my reflection in the glass. I felt suddenly out of place with my jeans and t-shirt. This was a place where women probably wore their finest clothes, and when they weren’t, they were wearing hundred-dollar yoga pants.
“You have that look on your face again.” Luca was frowning at me in the glass.
“What look is that?” I turned toward him, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He raised a brow, tilting his head slightly. “I’m not falling for that.”
“It just takes some getting used to.” I leaned in and kissed him before pulling back.
“The sooner, the better so we can spoil you.” He pushed my hair behind my ears. “You deserve the world.”
My cheeks heated and I tried to look away, but he stopped me. “Don’t.” I had the sudden urge to flee.
I couldn’t let myself get too attached to these men because who knew what tomorrow would bring? Eventually, the newness factor would wear off and, long term, did any of us really think it was going to work?
“What are you so afraid of?” Luca saw right through my walls and I wasn’t sure I liked it.
I swallowed hard, meeting his gaze for a moment before dropping it to the floor. What were these men doing to me?
I stepped back, needing some distance. This kind of intensity was too much for me to handle.
Luca matched my retreating steps until I bumped into a strong chest and hands grabbed onto my arms.