Typical Luca, he was doing his usual act of being a coward. He never was able to face up to reality. He always chose to run and hide. Nothing had changed over the years. That’s why I’d always been the one running towards him, I was stronger. Go me! I thought as I wondered around opening drawers and cupboards to try to find any clues to hint at what Luca’s life was like now. I didn’t even know what he did for a living apart from his ‘useful’ club as Vinnie had put it. I found nothing.
Walking over to the front door I wondered what would happen if I just opened it and left. Went back to my apartment to carry on with my life with Teresa, hustling for money and living one pay check to the next. I missed going to school, and I kinda missed Teresa’s bossy, couldn’t give a fuck attitude. That was all I missed though. For some twisted reason I wanted, no needed to see this thing through with Luca. Stay and find out what he meant with his note last night. I was done with living on what ifs and if onlys. I was older and even though I was ironically so out of control right now it was ridiculous, I had to take control of my future. That included drawing a line under the feelings I had for Luca Marquez.
He never came back that day. I shuffled around the house, did a few laps in the pool and watched a whole box set on Netflix before I decided I was done waiting for him. I took a soak in a steaming hot bath and then took myself off to bed, wondering if he’d still be a coward tomorrow.
I was woken by the sound of laughter and voices downstairs. I checked the clock, 2.36am. I rubbed my eyes, fluffed my hair and threw the covers off. I crept to the door, creaking it open slightly to listen to the chatter downstairs. Two voices, that’s all I could make out. One was clearly Luca’s, his deep velvet tones were unmistakeable, the other voice had a flirty high pitch. He’d brought a woman home.
I felt sick then angry. How dare he do this to me! After last night he’d left me a note like that then avoided me all day. Now he had the bare faced cheek to invite a woman home, for what? A revenge fuck? To throw my inexperience in my face, or show me how much he actually didn’t care. I wouldn’t take it though. He should know me well enough to know I wouldn’t hide in my room crying.
I stalked over to my drawers and yanked them open, pulling out the black lacy nightie Gina had brought for me. It literally barely covered my ass and the girls were showcased fabulously in the built in cups. He had said he loved me in black lace, so prepare yourself Luca, I thought, I’m about to blow your fucking mind!
One last glance in the mirror to check my curls were sexily mussed and not sticking up all over the place and I darted confidently towards the stairs heading down to the living area.
As I hit the bottom spot I felt both gazes turn to watch me, but I didn’t turn to face Luca and his fuck of the night. I kept my head forward and fixed on the kitchen door and put on a dreamy sexy voice as I said, “Evening,” then pushed my way through the door strolling over to the sink. I needed to grip the edge of the sink for support as I settled my nerves. The laughter from outside had stopped dead so I moved back to the door to listen.
“Sister?”
“No.”
“Cousin?”
“No”
“Don’t tell me she’s your wife and you have some fucked up marriage involving kinky threesomes every night?”
“Definitely not.”
“Well this is awkward.”
“Why?”
The living area went silent and I held my breath as I waited for what would be said next. The woman broke the silence.
“Well you brought me here tonight, but since she walked across there you haven’t taken your eyes off that door and you’re so tense you look like you’re about to explode. So I’m guessing she means more to you than just a house guest.”
Luca didn’t say anything, all I could hear was the chink of a glass as one of them sipped their drink.
“You know I’ve heard the rumours about you.”
“Yeah? Enlighten me.” Luca sounded bored now.
“You’re cold, emotionally detached and you never ever invite a woman to your home. I thought maybe you’d seen something different in me tonight when you asked me here, but now I’ve seen her and the way you’re reacting and I get it.”
This I had to hear.
“You didn’t bring a woman home tonight did you? You brought me here as an object, a thing to toy with her. Am I here to make her jealous? Or upset her in some way?” She sighed, “I don’t know what your game is with her but I don’t want to be used as your pawn Luca…I’ll see myself out.”
The front door sounded her exit and I went towards the kettle to make a hot drink. She was right, Luca was playing a game and I wanted no part of it. I was done with his mind games.
I made myself a hot chocolate and then tentatively I sauntered back into the living area but it was in darkness, utterly deserted.
Chapter 16
Tap, tap, tap. I woke to a gentle knocking on my door, and feeling totally unsociable I ignored it and turned over in bed determined to ignore the world for as long as I could.
“Hello?... Little sis, you awake?”
My eyes flew open at the sound of the familiar voice and I sprang up into a sitting position in bed.