Bittersweet (The Calvettis of New York 4)

“And good to Marti,” he adds. “She couldn’t keep her business afloat if she gave all her clients that same deal on imagery.”

I haven’t been involved in that aspect of Marti’s dealings with Afton, but I’m not surprised.

“She knows what she’s doing, Rocco.”

“You interrupted her wedding.” He leans back into the couch. “That’s who she is, right?”

No good comes from lying, so I sigh. “That’s how we met, yes.”

“There’s a story that will be yours to tell for years.”

My gaze shoots up to him. “What the fuck does that mean?”

“You met the woman you’re falling for when you stopped her wedding.” He taps his finger against his jean-covered thigh.

“I said I like her,” I clarify. “I didn’t say I’m falling for her.”

“You didn’t have to.” He cocks a brow. “It’s the way you said you like her that gave it away.”

Fuck. I’m not going to win this battle, so I hold my hands up in surrender. “Okay, fine. I’m falling for her.”

“You’ll take it slow,” he says.

It’s clear from his tone that it’s not a suggestion. It’s an order.

“I am taking it slow,” I half-lie.

I’m trying to, but I’m feeling things I’ve never felt before, so it’s damn hard to press on the brakes when I’m already in free fall.

“Brooklyn put you through the wringer.” He raises a hand to stop the protest that he knows is about to fly out of me. “I want you to find what I have with Dexie. You deserve that depth of love, Luke. If Afton is that for you, I’m in your corner.”

“This is new,” I remind him. “I’m enjoying being with her. Time will tell if it turns into more.”

Time better be on my side because I do want more with Afton. I want a hell of a lot more.

***

Six hours of sleep does a man good. More would be better, but I can think of better ways to spend my time than alone in bed.

All of them involve Afton.

I’m due back at work within a few hours, so I need to shave and shower before I seek her out. I want to see if she’s available to hang out with me until I head back to the firehouse.

I push up from my bed just as my phone chimes.

I reach for it on my nightstand.

I yanked the blinds closed before I fell asleep. I’m accustomed to sleeping at all hours, but I needed the darkness to help quiet my mind since I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Afton.

I curse under my breath when I see the text message that’s popped onto my phone’s screen.

Corrine: I wanted to let you know that Auggie is good and doing fine.

I’m grateful for an update on August, but I don’t need it this way.

This feels too familiar and not in a good sense.

Corrine often became the go-between when my relationship with Brooklyn was on the rocks. Corrine would contact me regularly to let me know that Auggie was all right.

Eventually, those text messages shifted to her telling me about Brook and how much she missed me. More than once, Corrine’s interference was the impetus that brought Brooklyn and me back together.

I’m not looking for that, so I keep my response to the point.

Luke: Thanks.

By the time I’m on my feet and halfway across my bedroom, my phone chimes again.

Corrine: How are you doing, Luke?

Shaking my head, I turn back around and toss my phone in the middle of my bed.

I don’t want the past to contact me unless it’s about Auggie. I’m looking to the future, and from where I’m standing, it’s as bright as the sun.

Chapter 36

Afton

“Is this what an afternoon delight is?”

Luke presses his head into one of the soft pillows on my bed. “Afton.”

I’ve never heard my name sound like that before. There’s a bite to it and unfulfilled need set in both syllables.

“Say that again,” I taunt him.

He cracks open an eyelid just in time to see me swirl my tongue over the crown of his cock. “Afton.”

“I like that,” I purr. “You sound so…”

“Needy?” He growls the word out. “I want you. Get a condom so I can fuck you.”

I stroke his cock slowly, each of my fingertips pressing into him. “I told you that I wanted to suck this.”

He huffs out a strained laugh. “You sucked it.”

“Not enough.” I take him back in my mouth.

“Christ,” he growls the word out with his fingers tangled in my hair. “Another second, and I’ll come down your throat.”

I up the pace of my movements, stroking him faster while I suck harder.

I’m no match for his need.

He moves quickly, grabbing my forearms to tug me up.

I have no choice but to let go of him. A heavy sigh escapes me. “Luke.”

Before I can protest more, I’m flat on my back on my tangled sheets with him hovering over me. “I have less than an hour.”