CHAPTER 57 - Confused
I’m about to lean in for the kiss when, suddenly, I find the strength to push my desire away and pull back. This isn’t right—not at all. I’m not supposed to feel this way about Luca.
Unable to continue our walk, I quickly flag down a taxi. Luca doesn’t say a word as he slides in beside me. The ride back to the hotel is painfully awkward; we sit in silence, and I start to regret not asking him to take a different cab. Yet, in some strange way, I like that he’s right here next to me. Oh damn, I am so very confused.
The moment the car pulls up in front of the hotel, I scramble out and hurry inside. What on earth is wrong with me? Why am I suddenly feeling this way about Luca? My heart won’t stop pounding as I replay the moment over and over in my mind. I shake my head firmly. This must be a mistake. Thoughts of Bryant flicker through my mind, and I force myself to think about him and only him instead. Surprisingly, my mind obeys, and I wonder where he is and what he’s doing right now.
Deciding to call him, I pull my phone from my purse. As I open the door to my hotel room, I catch a glimpse of Baron and Victor in the corner of my eye, but I don’t stop to talk to them before pushing open the door and slipping inside.
As usual, Bryant’s number isn’t going through, and hurt settles in my chest at the thought that he might be intentionally avoiding me. I hate him for making himself unavailable—or maybe I don’t.
Sighing in frustration, I kick off my heels and step back out into the hall, thinking I’ll ask my bodyguards if they’ve heard from him recently. I desperately need to hear his voice, to let it ground me and maybe even shake me out of whatever feelings I might have for Luca. But as I step into the hallway, a man in his late thirties approaches me with a sly grin.
“Hey, beautiful,” he says, licking his lips as his gaze rakes over me. “You staying in this hotel?”
Trying to keep things polite, I answer, “Yes.”
Not wanting any trouble, I step around him and start toward Victor’s room on the left, but he grabs my arm, yanking me back.
“Don’t you dare walk away from me, you little—”
I glance down at his filthy hand on my arm, and anger surges through me. “Let go, now!”
“Not until—”
Before he can finish his sentence, I drive my knee up into his crotch. His grip on my arm loosens immediately, and he doubles over in pain. Not giving him a moment to recover, I slap him hard across the face.
“Bitch!” he yells, his voice echoing down the hall. Instantly, three doors swing open as Luca, Baron, and Victor rush out, their expressions a mix of confusion and alarm.
The man attempts to lunge toward me, but Baron and Victor grab him by the arms, holding him back.
“Who the hell are you guys? Let go of me!” he shouts, struggling in their hold.
“What happened?” Luca asks, his eyes scanning me to make sure I’m alright.
“He harassed me, so I gave him what he deserved—a knee to the groin and a slap across the face,” I reply, wrinkling my nose in disgust as I watch my bodyguards drag him away. “Honestly, I wish I’d done more.”
A hint of relief crosses Luca’s face, followed by a smirk. “Remind me never to cross you.”
I chuckle, relaxing slightly. “I’ll be sure to.”
Moments later, Baron and Victor return. I wait for them to approach us, still buzzing with adrenaline.
“What did you do with him?” Luca asks, beating me to the question.
“We handed him over to hotel security,” Victor says, shrugging. “Would’ve done more if we weren’t in a hotel. Didn’t want to draw too much attention.”
Baron grins at me. “You’re a real badass. He couldn’t stop whining about his ‘little friend.’” He pauses, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “Makes me wonder why we were even hired to protect you in the first place.”
“Oh, please,” I say, rolling my eyes at his exaggeration. Remembering the real reason I came out here, I ask, “Have you heard from Bryant recently?”
Victor shakes his head. “No. And I don’t think we will anytime soon.”
“Why not?”
“He said he’d only call when it’s absolutely necessary.”
So, he’s just disappeared without a second thought, without caring if I miss him. Great!
Without another word, I turn and head back into my room, but before I can shut the door, Luca slips inside.
What are you doing here?” I ask without looking at him. “You should go back to your own room.”
“No,” he replies bluntly. “What is it about that Bryant guy?”
I whirl around, eyes narrowing as I stare at him. “What about him?”
Luca stalls towards me, a hint of hunger flickering in his eyes. “Is he that impossible to get over?”
“Who says I haven’t gotten over him? I have.” I lie, to him and to myself. “I’m just concerned for his well-being, considering he hired bodyguards for me. One good turn deserves another, after all.”
Luca stops right in front of me, chuckling. “I’ll pretend to believe you.”
My heart begins to race again at his close proximity, and I find myself biting my bottom lip. “I can prove it,” I say before I can stop myself.
He raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? How?”
Closing the small distance between us, I step on my tiptoes and press a gentle kiss to his lips. For a second, he’s still, stunned, but then his hands settle around my waist, and he pulls back just enough to look at me, a storm of emotions flickering in his eyes—shock, uncertainty, and desire. “Are you sure?”
Without thinking, I lean in again, pressing my lips to his more firmly. This time, he doesn’t hesitate. He takes control of the kiss, his lips moving against mine with an intensity that makes my pulse race, as if he’s been waiting for this moment his whole life.
What am I doing?