Page 16 of A Game of Ruck
“You sure?”I whisper.
Then Luca leans forward, his gaze serious for the first time since we took off.
“I said I’ll do it, Annabeth.And I meant it.Now, you want them to think you’re the queen of the goddamn beach?Done.I’ll worship the ground you walk on.I’ll kiss your hand, your cheek, maybe even that cute little spot behind your ear if we’re really selling it?—”
“That spot is off-limits,” I say, but my voice is breathless, and he knows it.
“I’m just saying,” he murmurs, his smirk returning.“If I’m going to be your fake date, let’s do it right.I might as well be the best damn fantasy they’ve ever seen.”
I bite my lip.
“You’re awfully confident.”
He shrugs one muscled shoulder.
“Angel, if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s make stuck-up rich people uncomfortable by looking way too good next to their insecurities.”
“Oh, so we’re both going to be walking middle fingers?”
“Hell yeah we are.”
And just like that, the tension breaks again, replaced with laughter and the kind of buzz that no champagne could replicate.
But deep down, I know I need to remember something very important.
This isn’t real.
Even if it’s starting to feel that way.
Chapter Four-Luca
The hotel lobbysmells like money.
Sea salt, jasmine, and polished marble.
The kind of scent that saysplease don’t touch anything unless your last name is printed on a yacht.
Everything gleams.The walls are probably lined with crushed hopes and AMEX black cards.
Annabeth’s beside me, fidgeting with her phone like it’s her emotional support squirrel.
Her fingers are moving fast—maybe texting, maybe playing Candy Crush, maybe typing a detailed escape plan.
Honestly?Can’t blame her.
We got in late last night and were herded to our suite with the kind of efficiency that makes you wonder if the hotel is secretly run by ex–CIA operatives.
The room?Big.Fancy.One bed.
Naturally, I offered to be the gentleman about it.
So we both slept in the bed.
And I slept better than I have in years.
Didn’t even wake up with a crick in my neck or a boot in my ribs.
Just the soft weight of her leg accidentally tossed over mine and the sweet little snore that nearly sent me into cardiac arrest because it was cute.
