Page 64 of Can't Always Get What You Want

My mouth opens, closes. “You are not ready for that answer.”

He arches a brow, stepping forward just enough to make my breath hitch. “Try me.”

I don’t know why I tell him—probably because his voice is dipped low, teasing the heat already pooling inside my pussy—or maybe because I’ve already crossed whatever boundaries I had drawn for myself tonight.

“Mavis.”

Luca blinks. “Mavis?”

My nod is shaky and embarrassed. “I didn’t name her. She named herself,” I deadpan. “She came to me one night during a particularly bad date and said, ‘Girl, don’t do this. He still lives with his mom and called youbrotwice.’”

“You just keep getting better and better.”

“Mavis doesn’t trust easily,” I warn, struggling not to smile. “She’s seen some things.”

He stares at me for a long moment, lips twitching. “I think I’m in love with your ghost.”

I swallow.

Luca leans in again, closer than before, his grin fading into something deeper. His voice drops low, rich with amusement and curiosity and… something else. Something that makes the space between us throb like a pulse.

“What do I have to do to win her over?”

Oh jeez.

Is it hot in here?

My laugh dies halfway in my throat. “I—uh?—”

“Because I’dreallylike her on my side,” he adds, his hand landing lightly on the counter beside my hip. “If I want to stay in your good graces.”

Everything inside me is too loud—my heartbeat, my breath,my thoughts, Mavis screaming from the void like,LET HIM TRY, YOU THIRSTY BITCH.

His eyes flick to my lips. “I can be honest.”

Oh no.

“And I’m willing to put in the effort,” he adds, voice like velvet wrapping around my spine.

Ohno.

“Effort?” I gulp for air. “How?”

His head shakes slowly. “Nuh uh. I can’t tell you. I have to show you.”

Mavis shrieks. Not quietly. She’s full-on rattling chains and slamming ghost doors in my uterus right now and for the love of God, why do I keep referring to my cooch as a ghost?!

What the hell is happening to me?!

“You should know I’m emotionally available,” he deadpans, doing his best to sell me on himself.

Too late.

I’m already sold.

“Oh wow.” My short laugh is nervous. “Irresistible.”

“I should have led with that sooner.”

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