Chapter 21
“I’m not one of your office sluts, Luca,” she shot at him, chin lifted in defiance.
“No,” he said easily. “They don’t cost anywhere close to what you’ve cost me. Including the groin pain.” His mouth twitched, a grin he didn’t bother hiding.
Her eyes stayed hard. “So you’re not just the devil. You’re a creep too p>
He leaned over her, one hand braced on the headboard above her shoulder. The mattress dipped under his weight, trapping her in a pocket of heat. “You must admit,” he murmured, “a very good-looking creep p>
She hated the split second where her brain stalled, where the world narrowed to the blue of his eyes. They were unfair eyes. They peeled back layers you hadn’t agreed to surrender. She swallowed, anger scrambling to cover the flicker of awareness.
Luca’s gaze dipped openly, just enough to acknowledge the curve of her breasts beneath the halter bra top. The smirk returned.
“Is this what you plan on doing with me?” Vee asked sharply, clinging to the thread of her fury.
“I’m still workshopping creative ideas,” he said lightly. “But yes, Bambola. I plan on pimping you p>
“What p>
“I plan on pimping you,” he repeated calmly, straightening just enough to look her in the eye. “To me. Think of it as… an exclusive contract. Lifetime access. Prepaid p>
“Lifetime p>
“Probably,” he shrugged.
She shook her head. “So that’s it? I’m your… what? Your toy p>
“That word implies I’d discard you when I get bored. I don’t waste investments p>
“So I’m going to be your slut,” she said flatly, daring him to deny it.
“Yes.” Luca moved closer. His lips hovered just inches from hers, close enough that she could feel his breath brushing her mouth.
His fingers drifted up her thighs. Measuring. Learning. Cataloguing every hitch in her breath, every tremor her body betrayed even as her eyes burned with defiance and her lips stayed stubbornly set. He didn’t touch where she expected him to. He didn’t cross the line. That was the cruelty of it.
Her nerves sang anyway.
Her pulse fluttered when his thumb paused, when his hand lingered just long enough to make her skin ache for contact. A part of her wanted to close the distance.
Her eyes lidded despite herself.
And that was when he smiled.
A knowing smirk curved his mouth. Then he pulled back, straightening, reclaiming every inch of space he’d stolen.
And just like that, he was gone.
“Asshole,” she muttered, and hurled her pillow at the door with all the frustration bottled inside her. It hit with a dull thump and slid down uselessly. She groaned and fell back against the mattress, staring at the ceiling.
She looked down at herself, at the clothes she was still wearing from the auction. She hugged her arms around herself, shame creeping in where anger had been.
She really did feel like a slut.
Her thoughts drifted, uninvited, to Valentina. Fear settled deep in her chest.
Maybe, she thought, if she played along. Just a little. If she fed Luca’s ego, his darkness, his sense of ownership, maybe he’d soften. Maybe he’d grow a heart. Maybe he’d let Tina go.
The idea tasted bitter.
One thing was certain though. There was no way. No way in hell she was going to let Luca be her first.
She grabbed her phone from the bed, the screen lighting up. Her thumb hovered for a second before she opened Cassidy’s chat.
She typed quickly.
’Hi… will you be available tomorrow evening? Maybe we can Netflix and chill p>
She stared at the message, then hit send before doubt could creep in.
The phone buzzed softly as it left her hand, landing beside her on the bed.
Cassidy arrived the next evening just as the sun was sinking behind the Scalese home. He parked, and stepped out.
Vito answered the door himself.
The older man stood tall. His gaze swept over Cassidy.
“Hey, Cassidy Vito said.
“Mr. Scalese.” Cassidy straightened instinctively. “How are you doing p>
“I’m fine. You here for Veronica p>
“Yes.” Cassidy nodded, because of course he was.
“She’s in her room p>
“Thank you, Mr. Scalese p>
Vito stepped aside, letting him pass. Cassidy walked down the hallway.
He stopped outside Veronica’s door and knocked gently, knuckles brushing the wood.
“One minute!” she called.
The door opened a moment later, and whatever thoughts he’d been holding onto scattered.
“Hi!” Veronica said brightly.
“Hi.” His eyes betrayed him immediately, sliding down her body and back up before he could stop them.
She wore a short bodycon dress, black. Bare legs. Simple heels. Her hair fell loose around her shoulders. There was no way she was dressed for just Netflix and chill.
“You ready?” she asked.
Hell no.
Give me a minute, woman.
His brain was shouting, scrambling for footing. She looked beautiful.
“Yeah, sure,” he said instead, smiling.
She reached for his hand, and laced her fingers through his.
“See you later, Dad,” she called casually as she led him down the hallway.
Outside, Cassidy helped her into the passenger seat of his car. He closed the door and circled to his side, the engine purring to life as they pulled away.
Only when the house disappeared from the rearview mirror did he breathe properly.
His place was only a few minutes away. A modest house tucked into a quiet street.
“So,” he said after a moment. “How is Valentina p>
“Uh… she’s… she’s fine. Just away for a while,” Vee stammered, the lie landing between them.
Cassidy glanced at her, hands steady on the steering wheel, eyes soft but sharp enough to see through smoke. “Vee,” he said gently, “I know you’re lying. But I won’t push. When you’re ready, you’ll tell me p>
Her throat tightened. She nodded, grateful and ashamed all at once. “How is work?” she asked quickly, grabbing the first safe rope she could find and clinging to it.
“Uh… fine actually,” he replied. “Had some issues with a couple of students, but all is well p>
She snorted. “That’s normal. Don’t tell me you didn’t get into trouble or two when you were their age p>