Page 10 of Bad Pucking Roommate

“I can go.” I jump up from my chair as Luca cracks the door. “Niko’s probably—”

The words die on my tongue as the door opens all the way and a brunette woman in a knee-length coat swoops into the room like she owns the place.

Visually, she’s stunning. Porcelain skin. Chocolate hair halfway down her back. Bottomless brown eyes framed by thick lashes, and full, ruby red lips. She’s also intimidating as hell, carrying herself withan air that screamsI always get what I want. And the moment her eyes land on me, I get a bad feeling.

“I didn’t think anyone was joining us tonight.” She walks a circle around me, assessing with a little, “Mmm.”

“He’s not—”

“I’m not.” I talk over Luca, though the woman doesn’t seem to hear either of us as she stops in front of me with a suggestive smirk.

“I hope you’re not just planning to watch. Don’t get me wrong, having an audience is hot, but… That’s getting a little old, isn’t it Luca?” She arches a perfectly sculpted brow in his direction as she shrugs off her coat, revealing a small and rather skintight dress. Red, to match her lips.

“Staci, he’s not here for that.” Luca, who typically has what you’d call an olive complexion, is as pink as if he just played three periods as he studiously avoids my gaze. I’m not sure what to make of that since I’ve never seen him look anything but supremely confident, especially about women. They flock to him, and from what I’ve seen he doesn’t hate the attention. Yet now, with an uncomfortable glance in my direction, he takes Staci’s arm and tugs her gently out of my personal space and toward the bed.

Does he think I care that he’s planned a hookup?

“Yeah, I’m not… I’ll just head out.” I try to spare him the embarrassment he seems to feel, ducking my head so I don’t have to look at the woman who’s stepping out of her strappy black shoes. Before I make it two steps she bounds up and blocks my path with a delicate hand on my chest.

“Sorry, hon.” She blinks up at me from several inches below the height she studied me from earlier. “I figured new guy, new rules, but if you want to watch like Noah does that’s okay.”

Luca’s eyes squeeze shut as he mutters, “Shit,” drawing both our gazes toward him.

“Noah?” I ask Luca. “But, I thought he was with…” I stop speaking when Luca gives a curt shake of his head, and I remember that the rest of the world doesn’t know Noah is currently exploring his sexuality with our friend, Tripp. He only told us about it last week. I’m still not sure what’s going on here, but apparently it wasn’t something that would lead this woman to believe Noah would be with another man, so I need to keep that to myself.

Still, I was under the impression Noah’s interest in Tripp—a man—was a new thing, and based on what Staci’s saying, that’s not the case. Normally, I wouldn’t think twice about that—it doesn’t matter to me who Noah wants to date—but given the timing of Luca’s strange behavior…Oh my God. Is Luca pining for Noah?

As far as I know, the two of them roomed together for the past several years. If Noah was present while Lucaentertained… Maybe Luca’s bi and just never admitted it. Maybe he’s heartbroken about losing the man who doesn’t know how he feels. That would certainly explain his demeanor lately, and the fact that he doesn’t seem open to talking about what’s bothering him.

My chest aches at the thought of Luca’s heart breaking. Though I’ve never experienced it myself, I’ve seen people go through heartache, and it looks miserable. I’d do anything to keep him from experiencing that pain. But what?

I’m not Noah. I can’t fill the void he left. I… A hand tapping on my chest brings my focus back to the woman standing before me.

“Well, go on. Have a seat. On the bed if you think you might want to join, or on the chair if you just want the show.” She gives me a suggestive wink as she reaches behind her back tounzip her dress.

My eyes dart to Luca, searching for some type of clue about what I’m supposed to do. My mind screams that staying is wrong. Awkward. Like I’d be intruding on a private moment, especially since I’m clearly not the person Luca wants to be here. Yet, Staci seems sure that Iamstaying, and Luca…God, he looks so forlorn. Lost almost, his normally rich brown eyes appearing murky under the shadow of his disheveled hair.

There’s something like desperation in his expression. A silent plea for me to stay, though it seems he can’t, or won’t, say the words. I’m not even sure how I intuit that he doesn’t want me to go, I justfeelit, like he’s drowning and I’m the lifeline. It sounds absurd, yet the tension seems to leave his body as I sink into the chair, and the weight in my chest starts to dissipate.

I guess I chose right.

With my eyes locked on Luca’s, it’s not until his head is pulled toward Staci’s for a kiss that I realize she’s shed all her clothes. Her shapely calves flex with the effort of standing on her tiptoes to reach him, making the muscles in her slender legs engage just beneath the swell of her butt.

Although I wouldn’t call myself a voyeur, I can admit it’s a nice view. Strange under the circumstances, but nice in an anatomical way. Staci has a good figure, lean and powerful, which as an athlete I can appreciate. It doesn’t arouse me per se, I just appreciate her form. Until a large hand covers one cheek and gives it a firm squeeze.

If I’m being honest, that only slightly piques my interest. What really gives me a jolt is the way my gaze feels pulled to Luca, and I look up to find him staring straight at me.

He’s kissing Staci, groping her curves. All while staring atme.

My breath catches in my lungs under the intensity of his searing gaze, body going rigid as if it’s held captive in some sort of tractor beam. The craziest part… Even if I could move, I don’t think I would.

What started as moral support—at least in my mind—seems to have morphed from compassion to… Heck I don’t even know how to describe it beyond saying Luca appears renewed. Stimulated. Which would make sense given the naked woman in his arms, except for the fact his attention is focused on me, and I’m not shying away from it in the least.

I might even be encouraging it.

Despite the fact she’s dropped to her knees and is working Luca’s sweats down his hips, my eyes are locked on his. I wouldn’t think twice about that if I was making a deliberate attempt not to look at his crotch, but I’m not trying to avert my gaze. I’m not purposely ignoring the head sliding back and forth between his legs. I just can’t look away from his eyes. His chocolatey-brown eyes that are hooded with lust despite the fact they’re pinned on me rather than the woman whose lips are wrapped around his junk.

Why can’t I look away?

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