Page 25 of Worth the Risk
“You’ve got the best voice, Hannah, it was ah-maz-ing,” she says. Jesus.
I’m suddenly aware that I’m swaying, and nausea overtakes me.
“Oh God …” I say, covering my mouth as I sprint for the bathroom. I barely make it before emptying all the rum. “I’m never drinking with you again, Arianna …”
She cackles from the other room. “Famous last words, bestie. I’ll convince you again.”
I stiffen when I feel a hand on my back as my hair is pulled away from my face. Luca shushes me as he rubs my back while I vomit.
“Go away,” I mutter.
“No, baby.”
“Yes! Go away. I don’t need your perfect ass in here while I’m throwing up. Why do you have to be so perfect?” I moan, laying my head on the toilet seat. He chuckles quietly.
“Not perfect, bella. Not perfect at all. You make me wanna try to be perfect though,” he says softly. God. He makes me want to cry. Stupid damn job and stupid damn team.
“Stupidfuckinghockey,” I mumble. “Don’twannadothisitsnotfair.”
“I know, baby. Gonna take Arianna back to my apartment and then I’ll be back to help you into bed, okay?” Luca says, and I nod against the toilet. I swear I feel his lips ghost over my forehead, but I’m three sheets to the wind and possibly hallucinating.
I hear Arianna mumbling incoherently as Luca tries to get her up. Lifting my head, I peer out into the living room to see him unceremoniously throw her over his shoulder. He gives me a wink as he walks toward the door. Once I hear the door close, I exhale in relief. Even trashed I recognize how insanely hot he is, and how much I want him. How much I feel like I need him. God, this is so fucked up.
I try to pull myself up to the sink, but I don’t have the strength. I begin to crawl down the hallway to the main bedroom so I can get to my toothbrush. My mouth feels like I’ve been sucking on cotton, and tastes like I lived inside a distillery for a few months. I can’t sleep unless my mouth feels fresh.
I make it to my bathroom and pull myself up to grab my toothbrush. Laying my head on the counter, I begin to brush as I hear the apartment door open again.
“What the fuck?” I hear Luca say and I incoherently call out to him with the toothbrush in my mouth.
“Jesus, woman, what are you doing?” he chuckles.
“Teeth.”
“I can see that. Did you put toothpaste on there?” he asks.
Well, fuck.
I take the toothbrush out and try to look at it. Why are there two toothbrushes? I attempt to close one eye to see clearer. When my eyes focus, I clearly see my toothbrush with no toothpaste. I harumph with frustration as I sway next to the sink. Luca grabs onto my waist as he chuckles.
“Let me help, bella,” he says quietly as he grabs the toothpaste and puts a pea-sized dab on the toothbrush. “Open.”
I dutifully open my mouth as he brushes my teeth. I suddenly find my hand drifting up his chest to touch his face. He’s way too pretty. His nose is slightly crooked, and I bet it’s a hockey-related injury. He gives me a small, crooked smile as he continues to brush my teeth. I don’t care what he says, he’s fucking perfect. This is bullshit.
“Spit.”
I turn, taking the toothbrush out of his hand so I can spit and clean the toothbrush. His hands find my waist and circle around to hold me against him. Luca drops his head so his forehead rests against the top of my head. We both sigh.
“Luca,” I whisper.
He doesn’t respond. He doesn’t need to. I know he’s thinking the same thoughts as me. I know we can’t be together. There’s no way. But he feels so right.
“Let’s get you to bed, Hannah,” he says softly against my hair. I feel his lips press against my temple and I shiver, whimpering.
“Luca, I need you …” I trail off. He exhales against my neck.
“I know, baby. I need you, too. But, the job, my job … I don’t know how to do this,” he says.
I nod as tears fill my eyes.