Page 20 of Sworn to My Heart
Grandma, grandpa, my distant mercousin’s ugly boyfriend Carl… I try to think of anything else to calm the waves brewing inside me, but to no avail.
I scan the living room around me and avoid meeting his eyes, until my gaze lands back on Pedro. He’s looking at Mariano with interest and responding when necessary, appearing to be the complete opposite of the Pedro I saw two minutes ago.
I examine his body; he doesn’t look much like his brothers. While his eye color matches Mariano’s, his overall look is completely different. His skin tone is lighter, his nose sharper, and although he doesn’t shave his beard, it looks well-kept. My gaze shifts to his hair; it’s cut short on the sides and longer on top, neatly styled back with gel.
Yes, he definitely has a different vibe from his brothers, but Luca’s looks outshine them all.
Luca gives me a quick, scrutinizing look, and I shift my gaze to the coffee cup I’m still holding, feeling no desire to drink it anymore. I take a small sip reluctantly and carefully place it on the table, trying not to make any sudden noise that will draw their attention back to me.
They seem to enter their own world when they talk, so I take it as my cue to leave. I need to get far away from Luca, as the touch of his hand is still sending a burning sensation straight to my sensitive area.
Reluctantly, I remove Luca’s hand from my thigh and getup from the sofa. But Luca grabs my hand quickly, seemingly declaring that I should stay, still not diverting his attention from the conversation.
I don’t see any point in staying here, so I release my hand from his grip quickly and walk away. His gaze now piercing my back as I go up to the second floor.
“Where is she?” I blurt to myself when I can’t see Cora on the sofa in the playroom. She probably woke up, I think. So I quietly go up to her room on the third floor.
I’ve never been in her room before. It feels like crossing a red line into her and Mariano’s private space, but we need to get ready, so I muster the courage and enter anyway.
In the center of the room is a king-size bed that, to me, looks like it could fit at least ten people. They really don’t spare any expense.
Maybe it’s because I’m used to the small twin bed in my apartment, that I find it extravagant. The bed sheets are black, and all the furniture is black and white, blending with the gray flooring. Here, too, there’s a glass wall offering another breathtaking view of the city.
I move closer to the window, taking in the stunning view from this angle. The absolute silence in the room wraps me up like a calming wave. This is exactly what I need. I place my hand on the glass, looking down at the street that suddenly seems so small.
My thoughts are interrupted, when I feel a familiar manly touch on my shoulders, sliding his hands down over my arms to my hands, brushing them lightly. Luca.
His lips are close to my neck, even without touching it, my whole-body trembles, craving his touch. It seems like my mind is listening to what my body needs too now and stops functioning. He’s kissing my neck, and a soft moan slips out of my mouth uncontrollably, surrendering to his touch.
Maybe I just need to satisfy my needs, that’s all. I try to convince myself as I turn to face him. Our eyes lock, and it feels like we’re the only two people in the world right now.
I scan his body quickly and bite my lower lip, aroused by what I see. He’s wearing a white button-down shirt, the top buttons undone, revealing part of his muscular tattooed chest.
I run my hand over it, trying to get a better view. His breath grows heavier as I lift my gaze to meet his eyes.
“What am I going to do with you, Alin? Your eyes drive me crazy,” he whispers close to my ear between breaths. I feel his words enveloping every part of my body, awakening it, as his fingertips caress my wrist.
I can’t contain the tension any longer. My lips crash into his, and unexpectedly, he loses all restraint, kissing me back with wild, hungry fervor. Our rhythms align perfectly as I swiftly unbutton his shirt without breaking our kiss, pulling it free from his pants.
His chest, now fully exposed, invites my touch. I wrap myself around his body, and he instantly picks me up and presses my back against the cold glass wall. I feel his erection straining to be free and reach for his pants, but just then, a knock at the door shatters the moment.
“Alin, are you in here?” Cora asks from the other side.
I tense up immediately, steadying my breath, feeling like a child caught in the act by her parents.
I stand back on my feet and push Luca aside. Taking a deep breath, I collect myself.
“Yes, I’m here,” I reply, trying not to let my voice betray what just happened. She opens the door, and it doesn’t take her long to connect the dots and understand what went on in the room, especially with my swollen red lips and Luca’s shirt wide open.
“Oh come on, at least get your own room to release yourhormones...
Why my room, Luca?” she scolds him and immediately pushes him out. It seems all the men are tough when they’re alone, but Cora has them wrapped around her little finger. You can tell they love her.
She shuts the door behind her and turns to me, “What just happened here?” she asks without waiting. I give her a confused look.
“Don’t ask me, I don’t know either. I’m not thinking straight anymore,” I answer honestly, and she sighs.
“Alin, don’t expect anything from Luca. You’ve caught his attention, which is surprising, but I’ve seen how he’s treated women in the past. It’s not something I want for you. You don’t belong with him,” she explains, and I feel like she’s hiding something I should know, but I know she’s right, danger is written all over him.
