Cara's pov
Horrifying embarrassment was pulsing through me as I basically ran through my way back to the patio, my platforms making thumping noises as I cut across.
"Cara, wait!" Cadain's voice called behind me but I didn't slow down. I didn't know what point he had followed after me. I just wanted to get away from everything, him included.
But I had no such luck, he was faster and soon he was cutting in front of me, breathing hard. I came to a stop.
He bent over, holding onto a glass display for support as he took heavy breaths of air. "Give me a minute." He said between pants. His gaze raised to meet mine. "Damn, you're a track star."
My lips twitched despite the situation and he flashed me a satisfied grin, standing upright again.
"I used to be captain of the track team back in highschool." I joked. It wasn't entirely a lie, I was in the track team but I was definitely not captain.
"I believe you." Cadain said, still grinning at me.
There was something about him that put me at ease and I knew it had everything to do with his happy-go-lucky personality. He was funny and cute and I appreciated people like him. We needed less uptight, intense people in the world. Uptight, intense people like my stepbrother.
However, I didn't like the intense look Cadain was now giving me. So I tried to shift the vibe. "I could give you a few lessons for a small fee, I'm not greedy."
"Cara," Cadain began but I cut him off.
"Do you feel parched? 'Cause I sure am." I started moving again. "We better go find some water first."
I was intercepted again and Cadain's face clued me in on his determination to say whatever he had to say. I released a tense breath.
"You must have already heard and I know all of this is sudden but I promise that you won't have anything to worry about."
I remained silent, momentarily having nothing to say or maybe I had too much to say it left me at a loss on where to begin.
"The plans are almost set in place but I still wanted to speak to you." Cadain inched closer and took my hand in his. "I vow to treat you well, you would not lack anything, not even love." He added, his eyes full of thick emotions.
I pulled away, overwhelmed by his declaration. On one hand, I felt flattered by his feelings but on the other, it scared me shitless. I couldn't return whatever he was offering.
My eyes found his and I wondered why a man like him didn't make my heart flutter instead. I knew nothing was ever going to happen between us and I wasn't going to bound myself in a sparkless marriage.
I sawed on my lips. "I'm sorry." I whispered and I genuinely was for having to turn down the first man that possessed such genuine emotions for me.
Cadain ran a hand behind his neck and I knew he was feeling embarrassed. "I understand if you don't feel the same way right now-"
I cut him off with a shake of my head. I was never going to feel the same way.
Cadain stepped closer but I stepped back.
A deep breath left him. "You never can tell what will happen, you might return my feelings sooner or later when we marry. I'd wait."
The playfulness returned to his features and he flashed me a boyish smile. "But let's remain good friends for now."
I inclined my head, appreciating the fact that he was still such a gentleman even after getting rejected by a woman. He was truly better than most.
"If we marry." I grinned at him, returning the light-hearted vibe. "But I'd love to be friends. You seem like a fun guy."
Cadain chuckled. "It is what I am." He responded with a wink.
Marriage with him may not be totally boring like I thought it would be, but I still wasn't taking the deal.
"As much as I hate to break up your little bonding, I'm afraid your brother and his company are on their way out, McKell."
My spine stiffened at the deep, unexpected voice behind me.
Cadain's gaze pinched into a scowl as he looked over my shoulder. "Salvatore." He grumbled.
Luca's footsteps clocked closer, their pace slow and unhurried while the beat of my pulse went erratic.
He stopped right behind me, sending the ease and calm I felt into oblivion and the flutters and sparks I couldn't feel with Cadain jolted through me like a discordant orchestra.
"You should leave now to catch up." His voice rumbled through my chest, sliding over me like warm syrup. I tried not to appear visibly affected. Last thing I needed was Cadain finding out about my wild attraction to my stepbrother.
Cadain straightened his spine, his shoulders setting back but it was pointless. Luca was still taller by a few inches, he was also bigger and fuller and consuming and-
"We haven't finished our conversation." Cadain cut through my simping thoughts, glancing down at me. I felt the waves of frustration radiating out of Luca and I knew if I turned around I'd find a darkness in his eyes.
"Well it's over now."
Cadain's scowl deepened. "You're not the one to make the call. Cara and I are still engaged."
"I don't remember ever making an official announcement."
"She's still my future wife."
"Keyword: future."
I was done with the back and forth. I was right in the middle of it, literally, and I felt the need to intervene before fists start flying over my head or even worse, Cadain getting shot by a trigger happy Luca. Either way, Cadain was at a disadvantage. Luca will grind him to pieces in minutes.
I spoke before inevitable disaster happened. "It's fine Cadain. We can always talk some other time."
Cadain looked like he was going to protest but he sighed instead, giving in. "If that's what you want. I'll be seeing you soon Cara." He said, eyeing Luca with animosity before turning on his heel and leaving through the same route he came.
Tension wasted no time in enveloping me as soon as Cadain's reassuring presence left. I was now alone with the devil himself.
"Turn around," Luca commanded and I shook my head immediately in refusal.
"I have nothing to say to you." I said in a small voice.
I wasn't even given a second next before I was roughly spun around, coming face to face with ruination.
All the air whooshed out of my lungs.
"Well I have a lot to say to you bambina." Luca growled.
My breath hitched at the anger erupting from his sturdy chest. It was so dominant it almost snuffed out mine but I pushed on. I had quickly discovered that I could only deal with him if I felt strong feelings like anger or frustration, otherwise I would be overrun by him.
Swallowed up, engulfed, deluged by the flood that was his powerful pulling force.
A gulp bobbled down my dry throat and I tried to find my voice. "Well you can say whatever you want to say without manhandling me." I bit out, glaring pointedly at his tight latch on my waist.
His chuckle was humorless. "That I attempted by asking you to turn around but you just never respond to niceties do you micetta."
He never runs out of retorts does he?
The set of my jaw was defiant when I forced myself to look up at him, literally. I ignored the violent pitter-patters my heart did. He was insanely handsome and for what?
"Whatever. You now have my attention so just let it out so I can return back to my mother." Please don't mention the texts.
His eyes glazed over with cold fury. "You weren't this impatient with that simping runt."
"Don't call him that."
"It is what he is."
"No it's not."
His jaw tightened. "Stop defending him."
I smiled at him, the satisfaction of ticking him off swelling in my chest. He was fun to rattle. My lips turned up deviously. "Why? Isn't he my future husband?"
If looks could kill, I'd be dead by now. "You're not marrying him."
I brushed off a non existent lint of his suit jacket. "That's what you said but nobody will agree with you. The plans are still very much in motion."
He glared at me like he was keeping himself from strangling me and a flush of heat pooled between my thighs. I was such a freak.
Luca's hand on my waist crept up to the back of my head and his hold was not very gentle at all. He inched closer and closer until my full softness was pressed into his hard, taut body.
The new position our bodies were in was lightyears away from being platonic and appropriate for siblings, anyone that walked in right now would find a sight for their eyes but somehow the thought sent blood flooding through my veins.
I was turned on by the thrill of getting caught. It was deplorable. I glanced at Luca's lush mouth, he made me deplorable.
"Here's something you don't know micetta, if I say you won't, then you won't. There's not a man or force out there that would change that." He declared, staring down at me with a severity that pulled at my core in a way that would make gravity jealous.
I didn't doubt his words one bit.