Page 22 of River of Flames

My eyes went to the clock on the bookshelf. Ten o'clock! How had it gotten so late? "Oh—I should get back.”

Luca stood and peered toward the window, where the rain was still whipping against the glass. "Of course."

I reached for my phone and sent a quick text to Vanessa. Her reply was almost immediate: Power's still out.

"Still no electricity.” I put my phone on the table and picked up my nearly-empty wine glass. "It's really bad out there," I added. "Should we wait a bit longer and see if it lets up?"

"You could…” Luca paused. "If you'd like, I can drive you back in the morning. I will sleep on the couch."

My stomach flipped over. "I don't want to impose," I protested. "And you don't have to give up your bed. I can sleep on the couch. I mean, as long as you're sure you don't mind having me."

Something hot and intense sparked in Luca's expression, quickly tamped down. "Of course," he said, "I do not mind. But the couch will be mine. Come."

He led me down the narrow hallway once again, this time opening the door across from the bathroom and guiding me inside. His bedroom was warm and masculine, with dark wood paneling and an enormous bed with a dark red duvet.

"It is all yours," he said. "If there is anything you need, please let me know."

I turned to face him and found him standing closer than I'd expected. My chest felt tight. "You don't need to sleep on the couch," I said. "There's plenty of room here for both of us. Nothing has to…nothing has to happen." I couldn't take my eyes off his.

He reached forward and gently took the wine glass I didn't realize I'd still been holding and set it down on the bedside table. The distance between us was no more than a handful of inches.

His sculpted lips curved slightly, and when he spoke again, his voice was low. "Oh, I think it's best if I stay out there," he said. He was close enough, now, that I could feel the heat of his body. If I took one more step, I'd be pressed against him.

"Oh yeah?" I managed to say. "Why's that?"

"Because—" and his voice was almost inaudible now, as he bent toward me—"if I stayed all night with you, I would want to do much more than this."

His fingertips brushed my throat, and then his lips were on mine.

I had that feeling again, the one that made it seem as though the floor was falling away. I moaned softly against his mouth, bringing my hands up to land on the taut landscape of his chest. I rose to my tiptoes to deepen the kiss, but to my astonishment, he pulled away.

"There will be time," he murmured against my lips, "for so much more."

I opened my eyes as he straightened up, letting my hands fall away from his body. My heart was pounding. "Don't make promises you can't keep," I said unsteadily.

He put his hand on my waist, his palm hot through the fabric of my borrowed pajamas as he guided me further into the room. "I never do," he murmured into my ear. "Sleep peacefully, River."

I watched him step back, his dark hair in his eyes, his hand on the knob as he pulled the door closed. "Good night, Luca," I whispered.

9

It was a miracle I slept at all, with the heady scent of Luca's aftershave wrapped around me like a cocoon. His sheets were soft and smooth against my skin, and the knowledge that he was there, on the other side of the door and barely a dozen paces away, was practically more than I could handle. But true to his word, he stayed on the couch like a perfect gentleman, so I forced myself to behave as well, and the bedroom door stayed firmly shut all night.

I woke to the chirp of my phone on the nightstand, and reached over to grab it.

It was Vanessa. Rain's let up so we're all back at the dig site. I left something for you at the dorm, can you pick it up on your way over?

I blinked, brow furrowing as I typed out a response. What is it?

You'll know when you get there, she answered, following up with a smiley face.

I rolled my eyes, then clambered out of bed, a little sad to be leaving the warm Luca-scented nest. I pulled on my clothes from the day before, then made a quick stop in the bathroom to freshen up as much as possible before making my way down the short hallway.

Luca was up as well, messy-haired and scruffy-faced, standing barefoot in front of the kitchen stove. The rich aroma of scrambled eggs filled the kitchen.

When he looked up, his green eyes flashed, and his lips curved in a small smile. The sight made something twist deep within me, and for a moment there was nothing I wanted more than a repeat of the previous evening. I could practically feel the warm press of his lips on mine, the hard planes of his chest beneath my hands. How would he react if I threw myself at him?

Instead, I mustered a smile and said, "Good morning."

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