Page 54 of The Temptation
His gaze snaps towards me. “I don’t give a fuck about my tools, Lucia.”
“Oh, I just thought?—”
“Well, you thought wrong. Do you want to know why I’m so mad?”
I wince slightly because I think I know what he’s going to say. I broke my promise to him again. I said I’d stay in the car, and I didn’t. I had every intention of doing just that, but when I heard the blood-curdling scream and I saw the neighbours peeking out the window, I freaked out.
I bow my head and stare down at my lap. “Because I didn’t do as I was told?”
He leans his head back against his seat and blows out afrustrated breath. “There’s that,” he eventually says. “But I’m fucking livid right now because I care about you, Luc. I know my mother, she’ll do anything for a quick fix, and I’ve just put you in danger by bringing you here tonight.”
“You care about me?”
He turns his face in my direction and frowns. “Of course, I care about you.”
“Oh.”
“Oh,” he repeats, cocking an eyebrow. “You thought I didn’t?”
I lift one shoulder. “I know you bought me a Kindle, but I thought that was more out of guilt for blowing Big-O to smithereens.”
“That fucker had it coming. I have no regrets about what I did there, but I do feel like an arsehole for making you feel blue. That’s why I bought the Kindle … not out of guilt for being responsible for the demise of your vibrator. It may not seem like it at times, but I like seeing you happy.”
“I am happy,” I tell him. “Sure, I miss my freedom, my sister, Dante, and my baby niece and her squishy little cheeks, but playing house with you has been a highlight of my life.”
“We’re not exactly playing house, Lucia,” he grumbles.
“We could be.”
“You’re not going to give up until you break me, are you?”
“Is it working?” I ask sheepishly.
“Not even close.”
“Lucky I’m persistent then,” I counter.
He barks out a laugh before sighing as he scrubs one of his hands down his face. “This may all be over once your brother-in-law finds out what I’ve done.”
“Romeo,” I say, turning in my seat to face him. “You’re the victim here.”
“I doubt he’s going to see it that way. I’ve put your safety in jeopardy, and that’s inexcusable. I take full responsibility for what happened here tonight.”
I purse my lips, folding my arms over my chest. “If Dante comes after you, he’ll need to get through me first.”
“I appreciate that, Luc, but you need to let me sort it out on my own.”
“I’m not going to stand by and let you get in trouble for this.”
“It’s my job to protect you.”
“And you have. I’m fine, see?” I hold my hands out in front of me. “Besides, I’ve decided it’s my job to protect you too.”
I catch the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he reaches out and cups the nape of my neck. My eyes widen when he pulls me closer and presses a kiss to my forehead. It’s not my lips, but I’ll take it.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you, Lucia Rossi, but I’m damn lucky to have you in my life.”
My heart trips over itself at his words. God, this man.
