His eyes are filled with shame and he nods slowly, his head bowed.
“How long have I been out for?” I ask, panicked at the thought that I don’t even know what day it is.
“Two days, it’s been a few of the worst days of my entire life.” He replies solemnly.
I sit there absorbing the information before he speaks again. “I am so sorry, Angel. I vowed to never let anyone hurt you and I failed. I do not expect you to forgive me but please know it will never happen again. I will not let it.”
There is sorrow behind his eyes like he actually thinks he could have stopped this, but there is also determination and I believe his words. I reach up with my good arm and cup his face with my hand.
“Mio Amore, there is nothing to forgive. Well not for this, you still need forgiving for shattering my heart all those years ago and then again over the last few weeks as you have continuously pushed me away.”
My words are meant to be teasing but the emotion in my voice is too intense and it comes out sad. His frown deepens and true regret is evident across his features.
“Mi Angelo, that was the biggest mistake of my life. I will never forgive myself for all the years we have lost together. But that ends now. You are mine, I never stopped loving you and I never will for as long as I live. Give me the chance to prove it to you and I swear I will never let you down again. I will keep you safe and loved. You will be cherished every day for the rest of our lives.”
His eyes search mine as he waits for my answer with bated breath. Does he really believe I need to think about this? I slide my hand behind his head and pull him towards me. When he gets just an inch away from my lips, I whisper to him softly, “There has only ever been you. You have always held my heart and you always will.”
He quickly closes the distance and the feeling of his lips against mine is like coming home after so many years away. In a moment I am reminded of all the stolen kisses and passionate nights we spent together. His lips move against mine gently as if he is savoring this moment as much as I am. He swipes his tongue across the seam of my lips, and I open up for him. His tongue slips inside my mouth and tangles with mine softly, stroking and tasting me. He lets out a low groan at the contact and my heart flips at the sound. Slowly he pulls away just enough to meet my eyes, his breathing heavy as his eyes darken with lust.
“I have been imagining that for over 7 years, I couldn’t wait one more second.” His husky voice speaks. I bite my lip and smile.
“Don’t you ever make me wait for you so long again,” I tease.
He gives me a seductive smile as he watches me closely. “Never Mi Angelo.”
Then he crushes his lips upon mine once more this time more urgently. Just as I slide my tongue across his lower lip his phone rings. He drops his forehead to mine and sighs heavily before he leans up and grabs his phone.
“What?” He snaps.
The person on the phone must say something he doesn’t like because he slams his fist against the wall and he shouts, “Damnit! Well keep looking then, they have to be somewhere.”
He hangs up the phone and begins massaging his temples. I reach over and begin running my nails through his short hair. His body relaxes at my touch and after a moment he lets out an approving moan at the contact. Luca takes my hand and kisses it gently before lacing our fingers together.
“So, I take it based on that phone call you have not found the people behind the attack?” I ask.
The anger is heavy across his face. I hate seeing this side of Luca, but it clearly is a part of who he is now. “Not yet,” he grits out. “But we will, I promise mi angelo.”
“Well, what do we do?”
He pecks my lips once more. “You will do nothing, except for rest and heal. I will find the scum and take care of them.” He begins to stand before I grip his hand, holding him back.
“No.” I say, my tone hard.
He cocks his head to the side. “No?”
“Yeah, No. I am sure you are not use to people disagreeing with you, but I hate to break it to you. To me you are still my Luca that use to fix the dishwasher when it broke, and I don’t have a problem letting you know that I don’t agree with your decision. If you are going out there to find them then I am coming too, you aren’t the only one they attacked.”
I lean over the side of the bed to stand up. As much as my body screams in protest I stand and do my best to remain steady. I am damn stubborn when I am trying to prove a point. I start to sway but balance myself quickly. My no bullshit face is firmly intact, you would almost think I wasn’t in some of the worst pain of my life. He looks me up and down as he shakes his head.
“Cazzo, ho dimenticato quanto sei testardo,” he says shaking his head.
I take my fingers and flick his forehead. His mouth drops open at that.
“Speak English asshole,” I say with my most serious scowl in place. He stares at me for a moment before he sighs and shakes.
“My god, how did I fall in love with someone as difficult as you?” He says and sighs again. “Get back in bed.”
“Not if you don’t join me,” I counter.