Chapter 152

Sunday dinner with my parents and Luca wasn't quite the peaceful scene I'd envisioned. Sunday dinners were supposed to be peaceful. This wasn't.

"How's the merger negotiation with Cornell going, Luca?" Dad asked. I sank deeper into my chair.

"Tougher than I thought," Luca replied, his eyes flicking briefly to me. "I'm thinking about flying to Madrid tomorrow to scout some new potential clients."

He was? As his assistant, shouldn't I—and Edward—have been included? I highly doubted it.

"You are, huh?" Dad asked before I could.

"Yeah," Luca nodded. "The expansion's proven more challenging than anticipated." He paused, then looked at me. "Although, managing one of my employees' social lives has been a challenge in its own right."

My cheeks burned, but Dad snorted. "I did ask you to look out for her."

"And I am," Luca said, his gaze fixed on me. "It's intriguing how someone so meticulous with their work can be so"

I challenged him with my eyes, daring him to finish. He didn't.

"Don't give my daughter a hard time," Dad playfully warned.

"Gabriel," Mom shook her head.

"Yes, Freckles?"

"See, this is exactly why she wanted to work elsewhere, not with you. She wanted to be treated like every other employee."

Despite Mom's hushed tone, her voice carried. Embarrassment flooded my cheeks. "I think I've lost my appetite," I said, clearing my throat and standing. "Excuse me."

I hurried from the dining room, avoiding Mom's glare at Dad. Back in my room, I sat grumpily on my bed. This was all Luca's fault. Wasn't seeing me five days a week enough? Did he have to show up at my house on a weekend?

A few minutes into my angry viewing of Modern Family, a knock interrupted me.

"I don't want to talk right now, Mom!" I called, huffing.

More knocks. I sighed before reluctantly opening the door. My jaw dropped.

"Luca?"

He stepped inside, and I took a step back.

"What are you doing here?"

"I excused myself to use the restroom."

"This isn't the restroom."

"Really, genius?"

I took a deep breath. "What are you doing in my room? How did you even know where it was?"

"Followed my heart. It led me here," he replied cornyly.

Was he flirting? I glared, raising an eyebrow. "Really?"

Luca chuckled softly, moving further in. "It's not my first time in your house, princess."

"Don't call me that."

"Apologies, fiorellina."

Heat rose in my cheeks, and my stomach flipped. I couldn't help it; the nickname had an effect. I crossed my arms.

His demeanor softened. "I'm sorry if you didn't want me here," he said. "I wasn't trying to overstep. Gabe invited me, and I just came to see my friend. I didn't think you'd be here."

I nodded, surprised by his apology. "Just stay away from my house on weekends?"

"Duly noted." He cracked his knuckles, and I gulped, my eyes tracing his tattooed arm, the black t-shirt clinging to his biceps, and finally his forest-green eyes. He clearly works outa lot.

I quickly dismissed the thought of watching him work out. "If that's all," I subtly gestured toward the door.

"Actually, it isn't." He moved closer. I stood my ground. This was my room, my dad's house. I wouldn't let him make me nervous here.

Unexpectedly, he stood very close. The nerves I'd tried to suppress settled in my stomach, but I was too committed to feigning confidence to back down, so I met his gaze.

"Did you really go out with Edward, fiorellina?" he asked, easily looming over me.

"It was just lunch," I breathed, trying to ignore his proximity. "And don't call me that."

"Why did you go out with him after I asked you to stay away?"

I gulped. "I don't owe you any explanations."

He took another step closer. "Why, Aurora?"

Because I was rebelling? Because you specifically asked me not to? Because I didn't want to seem like a girl clinging to her one-night stand?

"Because a girl has needs," I blurted, immediately regretting it.

Oh, god, no. Why do I do this?

"Needs?" Luca looked amused, and it offended me.

"What?" I shot back. "Is it so funny that I have needs? Or does that make me a slut?"

"No, fiorellina." He chuckled softly. "What's funny is that you think a man like him can fulfill your needs."

"Maybe he can," I challenged.

"Did he?" One eyebrow arched; his voice was eerily monotonous. "Did he touch you?"

"N-no," I gulped.

"Because if he did, I'd be facing wrongful termination," he said, making my stomach flip and my heart skip a beat.

"He didn't," I said quickly.

"Make sure it stays that way. And I mean it, fiorellina. No acting out and doing the opposite of what I ask." Luca warned.

There was something frightening and exciting about the way his eyes darkened.

I nodded.

"Now, about your needs," Luca leaned down, his lips brushing my ear. His breath fanned my skin, my core throbbing. "Keep your balcony door unlocked tonight."

I gulped. He stepped back.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a dinner to finish."

He left me a confused, aroused mess, with the mere promise of more.