Page 14 of Wrestling With Love

Diamond walked back home, her steps measured, her breath steady. She could have taken the ride Luca had offered, but sitting in that car, trapped with his scent, his presence, his words? Not happening.

And yet, she hadn’t stopped him from walking beside her.

The city buzzed around them, but between them, it was something quieter. Something that simmered beneath the surface. Luca didn’t push conversation, but she could feel his gaze on her, studying, waiting.

By the time they reached her apartment, her pulse was thrumming.

“I need a shower,” she muttered, unlocking the door. “Make yourself at home or whatever.”

Luca’s lips curved, a knowing smirk playing at the edges. “I plan to.”

She didn’t stick around to see what that meant. She needed space. Needed to scrub the tension off her skin, let the cold water wash away the way her body reacted to him.

When she emerged, fresh in a simple tank top and shorts, she found him exactly as she expected—too comfortable.

Luca was leaning against her kitchen counter, flipping through a magazine she didn’t even remember owning. His jacket was off, his sleeves rolled up, forearms flexing as he turned a page like he had all the time in the world.

Her eyes flicked to her fridge. “Is steak and salad okay?”

He glanced up, his smirk lazy. “I like tender and fresh, either the dinner or you.”

Diamond ignored the way her stomach clenched at his words and went straight to the kitchen, pulling out steak and fresh vegetables. She focused on her hands, the rhythm of chopping, the heat of the pan sizzling. Anything but the way Luca moved to stand beside her.

“I’ll help,” he said smoothly, rolling up his sleeves even further.

“I don’t need help.”

“I didn’t ask if you did.”

Her fingers tightened around the knife. “You’re persistent.”

“And you’re pretending you don’t like it.”

His words, his voice, his scent—it was suffocating, in the worst and best ways. Diamond focused on the steak, seasoning it as Luca effortlessly fell into place beside her, washing and slicing vegetables like he belonged there.

“So wrestling, huh? You surprised me yet again Bambina.” He broke the silence.

“Yeah. Security job is part time.” She mentioned hesitantly.

“What got you into wrestling?” he asked, voice casual, but his eyes sharp as ever.

She shrugged, flipping the steak. “I was good at it.”

Luca hummed, clearly expecting more.

She didn’t give it to him.

Instead, she turned the question back on him. “And you? Construction?”

His smirk was slower this time, measured. “It earns me well. And I like building things.”

Diamond arched a brow. “That's all?”

He met her gaze without hesitation, something dark flickering in his expression. “You mean my other business?”

Most men would have flinched at the implication. Luca didn’t.

She held his gaze. “Yeah. That one.”

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