Luca (Chicago Blaze 2)

Ugh. I have just enough time to get showered and ready for my first meeting. No workout today.

A smile slowly spread across my lips as I remember last night, which I’m well within my rights to call a workout. Sex with a pro athlete is next level. Not only is Luca’s body crazy muscular and toned, he has boundless endurance.

And those hips. The man can fuck, and my soreness all over is a blissful reminder of our night, which only ended a few hours ago.

I walk over to the side of the bed and look down at him. He’s sleeping on his stomach, his chiseled arm wrapped around a pillow and his short, dark hair a sexy mess.

I need to get in the shower. And even though every intuition I have about Luca is good, I’m not about to get in the shower and leave him out here alone. My purse is here, and my work laptop. Besides, he has to go soon anyway.

Damn, I wish we had time—not to mention another condom—to get in one last round.

I sit down at the end of the bed, hoping to wake him gently. It works.

“Hey,” he says, his voice deep and groggy. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” I respond.

He takes in the view of my body for a few seconds, a smile playing on his lips.

“What time is it?” he asks.

“7:15.”

“Shit, I gotta go.”

He throws the coves aside, and it’s my turn to take in the view. That body is sure to feed many a fantasy for me on those rare nights when I have to turn to self love to scratch the physical itch that makes me achy and antsy.

“I’ve got practice at eight,” Luca says as he pulls his boxer briefs on. “Sorry I have to run.”

“No problem, it works out well because I have my first meeting at eight.”

I actually can’t believe my luck. There’s no time for the snuggling and sweet words I don’t do, so I don’t have to explain anything. Luca was an absolutely perfect one-night stand.

“Hey, can I get your number?” he asks as he picks up his pants from the floor.

Cue sound of a record screeching to a halt. So much for perfection.

“Um…why?” I ask awkwardly. “I thought we both wanted just a one-night thing.”

His eyes crinkle at the corners as he grins. “I’m not proposing here, Abby. I just thought maybe if you’re here for work again sometime, we could do it again.”

Just the sound of him saying ‘do it again’ creates a pool of warmth between my thighs. I will be in Chicago a lot for work, and it would be nice to have more mind-blowing sex with Luca. More than nice, actually.

But trading numbers has gone wrong for me before. What starts as casual sex turns into affectionate texts and dinner invitations. I don’t date. I’m not sure how to explain this to Luca, and I also don’t have time since I’ve got 40 minutes to get to my meeting and I’m still standing here naked and smelling like a night of dirty, delicious sex.

“How about if I take yours?” I offer.

He huffs out a note of laughter. “You don’t have to, Abby. I didn’t mean to…I guess I misread things last night.”

“No, you didn’t. Last night was amazing. I’ll definitely text the next time I’m here.”

I grab my reading glasses from my purse, slide them on, and pick up my phone. “Okay, go ahead.”

Luca recites his number and when I look up after entering it, he’s adjusting his crotch.

“You look fucking hot wearing nothing but those glasses,” he explains with a sheepish grin.

It’s my cheeks that warm this time. It’s not embarrassment, but something I can’t quite place. But before I can respond, Luca’s walking over to give me a quick kiss.

“I had a great time, Abby.” He kisses me again. “Thanks for picking me up.”

I laugh and his bright blue eyes sparkle. “Oh, I picked you up? I thought it was mutual.”

He shrugs. “I noticed you sitting at the bar as soon as I walked in last night, but I could tell you wanted to be left alone. I wouldn’t have approached you if not for that douchebag.”

“I did want to be left alone,” I admit, “until I saw you. But you were cagey about it.”

Luca shakes his head, his dimple making an appearance when he grins. “I wasn’t cagey.”

“You said you didn’t want the drink at first!”

He turns serious as he puts his hands on my hips, his touch on my bare skin sending a shiver down my spine. “I wanted it, Abby. I just didn’t want to be the asshole who picked you up thirty seconds after what’s his name tried to.”

“You’re a gentleman,” I say softly. “Most of the time.”

Luca scoffs again. “Most of the time?”

Quickly, I say, “I’m talking about in bed, Luca. When you…and anyway, I liked it. I loved it.” I shake my head, clearing away the warm fuzzies. “Look, I have to get in the shower. And you have practice.”