Big City Crush (Pink Springs 3)

“You again,” I say, and it comes out like an accusation as I rest my hand on his chest. Are all the men in Pink Spring built like lumberjacks?

“I can be a hard one to get away from, and I get the feeling you keep trying to run.”

“Why would I do that?” I ask, not answering him.

Of course I was trying to get away from him. When Juno called for me, I seized the moment before something happened between Luca and me. I think we’d been flirting, but that might just be the way he is. Either way, it was safer to get some space between us.

“A question with a question is not an answer.” He pulls me closer to him so there is no space between us. I try to keep my face unreadable, because right now I can feel every inch of him pressing against me. He’s turned on, and I have no idea what to do with that.

Luca is easily the hottest man in the room. I’ve seen women here fawning over him and giggling like teenagers when he’s close. He could have his pick of them, but here he is with me. I’m the one with frizzy hair that’s more awkward than not, and I’m not exactly friendly either.

“You and your brother are close,” he says, not asking but making a statement.

“Yes, but I’m sure you and your siblings get it, though, since you lost your parents too.”

“We did, but we’ve always been close. I think you and you brother have been the same.”

“We have.”

The truth is Bastian was my security blanket, but not anymore now that he’s got Lux. How the heck is Luca seeing all that in the short time I’ve been in his presence? He’s really good at reading the room, and normally I would think that was kind of badass. Not now when he’s trying to get a read on me.

Luca looks at my lips, and my body becomes hyper aware of him. A longing I don’t want forces its way to the surface. This is a terrible idea. Luca and I are bound to each other for the rest of our lives because of our siblings. There will be no divorce for my brother because he meant his vows with everything he has.

Still, I don’t push Luca away or try to break from his hold. Instead I let him move against me and freeze when he leans down to claim my mouth.

“Can I get all the single ladies to the front of the dance floor!” the DJ cheers, and I’m startled back to reality. I try to lean away from Luca, but he’s got a firm hold on me.

“Are you single?” His hold tightens, but his expression is teasing and lighthearted, which confuses the crap out of me.

“I wish I could say I wasn’t, but no way will Juno and Lux let me get out of this one.” I try to pull back again, but his hold won’t relax. “Luca?”

“Our dance wasn't done,” he says as he releases me.

“I think we danced through three songs,” I point out before heading toward the front of the dance floor where all the ladies are swarming.

I stay as far back as I can as Bastian helps Lux get up onto a chair and the song “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé starts to play. All the women start to cheer and jump around, and I steal a peek behind me and see Luca is not far away. I jerk my head back around so I don’t get caught staring, but it’s too late because he already saw me.

Everyone starts to count down as Lux turns to face away from us and holds out her bouquet.

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

The bouquet flies high into the air and goes over all of our heads. When I turn around I have to smother a laugh when I see Luca holding it in his arms. I put my hand over my mouth, but my shoulders still shake as he walks over to where I’m standing.

“You think that’s funny?” he asks.

“Maybe.” He tosses it at me, and out of instinct I catch it. All the girls start to hoot and holler behind me. “That was mean,” I hiss, narrowing my eyes at him.

“I thought girls loved catching the bouquet at a wedding.”

“Do men enjoy catching the garter from the groom? I think not.”

“I don’t think we’ll be finding that out.” Luca shakes his head.

I suppose not. There’s no way my brother is going to reach up Lux’s dress in front of everyone and then throw a piece of fabric that she’s been wearing all day to a group of men.

“I need to check on the bride,” I tell Luca before I slip away again. It’s not a lie, but it is super convenient.

Bastian is leaning up against the door in the hallway when I spot him. “You couldn't even wait in the ballroom? You are hopeless.”