Page 42 of Beautiful Dangerous

He doesn’t believe me, but he knows better than to argue. And I can’t take my eyes off of him, even though his gaze has now shifted back to the open French doors, and he walks toward them.

“It’s a beautiful evening,” he says, and I’m not even sure he’s directing that at me, he’s just thinking aloud.

“Yes. It is.”

A moment of peace washes over me, and I think he feels it too because he glances back over his shoulder and smiles at me, and my heart’s racing now. Does he really feel the same way? Or am I just imagining all those times I’ve felt the atmosphere change, when he’s near me?

He turns around, finishes his drink, and now I can see him more clearly the weariness in his eyes is evident. Today’s drained him as much as it has me.

“I should probably go upstairs,” I start, briefly dropping my gaze, my arms wrapping around myself. “I think you’re right. I could do with getting some rest, today’s been a bitch.”

“Yeah,” he sighs. “I can’t argue with that.”

I look back up at him. “Lucca, I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For what happened, with Angel.”

“You’ve already explained why you did that. And you don’t have to apologize, it’s none of my business.”

He’s saying that now, but earlier, it seemed like it was very much his business. Which just makes me think that, maybe, hedoesfeel something for me.

“No. Maybe not, but…” I shake my head and look away. “It doesn’t matter. I’m going upstairs, I think an early night might be a good idea.” Turning my head back around I look right into his eyes. “You should get some rest, too. You look tired.”

“I’m fine.”

He isn’t, I can tell. He’s got something on his mind, that’s obvious. “Okay.” But I’m not sure tonight is the right time to move this any further forward. Whatever it is. Whatever I want it to be.

You’re Olivia Delgado.

You can have anything – anyoneyou want.

But can you really have LuccaPérez…?

I start to walk away, but his voice stops me from getting too far. “Olivia, hang on. Wait a minute.”

I turn around. “Yeah?”

“What you said, this morning – your reasons for sleeping with Angel… I understand. I get why you felt the need to do that, it’s just…”

“Just, what?”

“You could’ve come tome.”

His words cause my stomach to dip almost to the floor, a surge of impossible hope sweeping through me.

You could’ve gone to him…

“No, Lucca, that wouldn’t have worked.”

It wouldn’t. Because I don’t see him as someone there to be used by me, the way I used Angel, he isn’t that person. I don’t want him to be.

“I could’ve helped you.”

“You couldn’t…” My throat suddenly tightens, and I stop talking, dropping my head, raising my hand to my chest as my heart starts to beat harder. And it’s a feeling of panic that’s taking over now. Raw, terrifying panic.

“Olivia…?”

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