In a panic,
I scream...
People momentarily stop in their tracks as I capture their attention. They look at me, giving me the stank eye before they carry on without paying me any more attention.
I know it's Luca who has me in his grasp.
I mean, let’s face it....
There’s only one man insane enough to chase after me and grab me like this out in public.
“Put me down!” I scream kicking my feet in the air.
“Never!” He growls.
I struggle, twisting and turning with all my might wanting to escape him.
But,
I’m no match for him especially when he’s lost in his vengeance.
“You fuck men on the dance floor regularly do you?”
I can hear the revulsion heavily coated over his words and it stung a little.
He sets me down on the ground after we've gained a good amount of distance away from the taxi. I go to make a run for it again.
I’m not quick enough, and he pulls me forcibly into him leaving no space between us.
“I’ll dry hump who I want when I want. You don’t own me, Luca!”
I continue to struggle against him.
“You're mine!” He hisses at me through gritted teeth.
"I'll be damned if I let you whore yourself out when you have me to bounce that perfect little ass on."
He releases me, turning his back to me and starts to spit a long line of curse words in Italian.
“Whore myself out. Are you fucking kidding?”
I am a far cry away from being a whore. I have never felt so insulted in my life!
I don't need this shit...
I turn and briskly walk away from him. Hating that his opinion of me stings with bitterness.
“Vanessa…….., We haven’t finished here!”
He snarls loud enough for me to hear and it terrifies me. When he raises his voice at me it fuels my anger towards him. But when he talks to me trying to keep his composure I can't think straight.
“Yes, we have Luca."
My chest tightens.
"Just let me go... Please.”
I plead with him.
I carry on walking through the crowded city. I need to get away from the lights and multitude of people that are watching and recording us.
Before I realise it.
He reaches me and my body slowly starts to sense how close he really is to me. His cologne infuses with the night's breeze, and I feel sick with remorse.
“I won’t stop chasing you, Vanessa. You should know by now that I will follow you to the ends of the world reclaiming you over and over again.”
His words hold a promising tone and my heart flutters with warmth. Loving his claim upon me through a heated argument in the public eye.
The beast pulls up next to us on the curb, Cullum jumps out and opens the door; waiting for Luca. I feel myself being dragged in the opposite direction. Being pulled into the car with him.
Moments later,
I look at Luca sitting next to me. He looks straight back at me blankly. His green eyes are dark, the bruising along his jawline becoming more visible by the minute.
Gods... I wonder what the other bastard looks like?
My inner goddess asks.
I take more of him in noticing how mused his hair is, It’s usually perfectly finger-combed. His bottom lip is split with a hint of dry blood staining the corner of his mouth.
It takes all my will power not to lean over and kiss his booboo. He's still drop-dead gorgeous. Before I know it. I break down into a teary-eyed blubbering mess.
“I’m sorry... I’m so sorry Luca”
He doesn’t reply.
He continues to pay me no attention and I lean forward in my seat with my head in my hands.
“Please take me home Cullum”
I look into the rear-view mirror with tears in my eyes.
Cullum glances into his mirror and looks at Luca. Luca looks up and shakes his head then peers out his window remaining silent the rest of the ride to his penthouse. We come to a stop in the underground carpark. Lucas door opens and he hops out exchanging a few words with Cullum. He walks around the vehicle opening my door. In silence, he offers me his hand. I slide out of the car ignoring his hand and I instantly miss his touch. He must've sensed my distress. Because a beat later he settles his hand on my lower back, and he impatiently ushers me inside.
We ride the private elevator car up to his penthouse. The doors open and Luca walks straight into his room leaving me in the living room. I walk to the kitchen and grab myself a glass of water sculling it back trying to suppress my nerves that have me on edge.
“Join me for a bath.”
He tells me savagely.
I turn to see him standing in there with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. Bruises slowly starting to mark his olive skin. The guilt brutally knocks me over the edge of the cliff I was dangling over.
Mentally speaking...
This man has me doing things I wouldn't find myself doing with other men.
And that's,
Falling head over heels in love with him. He makes me smile till my cheeks hurt, my body sing with devotion and my eyes cry with amusement.
But tonight,
my smile falters with shame, my body screams with regret and my eyes overflow with heartache.
"I think I should leave."
I say to him feeling like I no longer belong here.
'I wasn't asking."
His voice is clipped as he scowls at me.
We stare at each other.
Not one of us is willing to back down with too much pride at stake.
“In a moment.” I finally reply.
I watch him walk away with a little limp to his step. Placing my empty glass into the sink and I take a few deep breaths before I follow him.
I enter the bathroom and he’s already settled into one side of the tub splashing water over his injured face. I turn from him and muffle the sob that eagerly wants to escape me. I straighten, slowly removing my clothes with my nerves set on ultra-high. With every layer I remove, the more vulnerable I start to feel.
I partially turn to him.
“Can you please look away?” The shame thickly coats my words.
“I’ve seen it all before.” He says sternly continuing to splash water over his damaged body.
He sighs.
Closing his eyes,
he brings his hands up and places them gently over his face. Water drips from his hands and I finish undressing; settling into the tub across from him. I gather the bubbles in my hands and use them to cover my exposed breasts.
“It’s safe to look now.” My voice cracks as I watch him open his eyes.
The emerald green beauties instantly catch mine. Holding me hostage in their immense stare down.