Page 14 of Luca

Instead, I stood rooted to the spot, trying desperately to keep a lid on the anger and hurt that crashed through me like a tidal wave.

I’d come into the evening filled with hope, and while I’d finally got past first base—and it had been bloody brilliant—it felt like we’d taken yet another step back. She was still running from us, still in denial, and it was bloody infuriating.

Unable to stand still any longer, I stomped along the staff corridor and out the back exit. There was no way I was going back inside. I couldn’t face her again right now, and I wasn’t in the mood for small talk or teasing from the guys. They’d see my emotional state and immediately know the reason: Claire. They all knew that any time I lost my cool, it was always because of her. In my current state, if anyone said the wrong thing, I might just kill them.

The best thing I could do for everyone was clear my head, and the best way to do that was to go for a drive. Thankfully, I’d only had a few sips of beer, so a drink-driving charge wasn’t on the cards.

My Little Miss Sexy Ass was stubborn, but so was I, and once I set my mind on something, I always got what I wanted. And I wanted Claire. She might have run from me yet again, but at least she’d go to bed tonight with the memory of coming on my tongue, and she couldn’t deny the pleasure she’d taken from it. I’d send her flowers tomorrow and start my pursuit in earnest again. Now that I’d had a taste of her and watched her come undone, there was no way I was giving her up. Not for anything.

As I drove through the empty streets, taking the long way home, frustration simmered beneath the surface, but a gnawing dread began to take its place. I couldn’t shake the feeling that the night had more in store for me than merely another rejection from Claire. I just hoped I was wrong.

CHAPTER 7

CLAIRE

LATER THAT NIGHT – WHAT HAVE I DONE?

Tears threatened as I glanced over my shoulder. The raw emotions displayed on Luca’s face nearly sent me to my knees. The sight of that strong, powerful, gorgeous male looking at me with a mixture of anger, frustration, and downright desolation in his eyes, made me ashamed.

What the fuck had I done?

How had my vow to keep my distance crumbled so easily the moment he’d wrapped his arms around me?

Back in the main club, I headed for the ladies’ room. Thankfully, it wasn’t busy, and I hurried into an empty cubicle, locked the door, sat on the seat, and cried.

As Marcie and I danced with those two guys, I’d hoped it would elicit a reaction in Anton. How could I not have realised it would do the same for Luca? Or had I? Perhaps deep down that was what I’d wanted.

Damn it! Why the hell couldn’t I leave well enough alone? I wasn’t the type of woman to lead men on or play games. Yet, it appeared, subconsciously at least, that’s exactly what I had done with Luca. Maybe even been doing since we’d met. God, I felt like such a cow.

All this time I had been promising to keep my distance, telling him we weren’t meant to be, yet letting him have a bit more of me each time we got close. Like I was dangling a carrot on a stick, keeping him interested just enough to bolster my ego, when I had no intention of following through on the subtle promises my actions hinted at.

Shock and shame coursed through me. Was that really the type of woman I was?

I shook my head. No. I didn’t play with people’s hearts. I’d simply made mistakes due to the effect he had on me. That pull was undeniable. He was right about that. There was definitely something strong between us. But if I wasn’t willing to overlook his criminal connections, then I had to do better. He deserved better.

This had to be the end of it. After tonight, there could be no more mistakes. So why did that thought make me cry harder?

Big, fat, ugly tears ran down my face, and I sobbed. My mind was in turmoil. I was supposed to be focusing on my career, yet here I was hiding out in a toilet crying over a man I kept insisting I didn’t want.

Even as I thought that, my body protested—my nipples hardening and my core clenching as I remembered the feel of his hands and lips on me.

Would it really be so bad to give Luca a chance? Why did the thought of continuing to deny what we had feel like I was making yet another mistake? Perhaps the biggest one of my life.

Covering my mouth with my fist, I bit back the scream of frustration that threatened. I was so confused.

Grabbing some toilet paper, I dabbed my eyes and blew my nose. Sitting here crying wasn’t helping me. Sorting through my feelings when I was drunk really wasn’t the answer. I’d need to make a decision about Luca, once and for all. But not tonight.

After splashing my face with water, I reapplied my makeup. This was Marcie’s party and the last I’d saw her she was dancing with the man of her dreams. I wondered how that had worked out? Had she finally got that kiss she’d coveted for so long? Or had he done a better job at keeping his distance than me? It was time I found out. She’d either be having the time of her life in Anton’s arms, or crying her eyes out in a corner.

As Marcie’s best friend, it was my job to make sure she was okay, and I wasn’t doing a very good job of it. Pushing aside all thoughts of my shameful actions with Luca, I pulled up my big girl panties and headed out in search of my friend.

It didn’t take me long to find her. She was dancing on top of the table where we’d been sitting earlier under the watchful eye of Anton. It was impossible to tell what had happened between them on the dance floor, but he hadn’t run at least.

Gracie, Sonia, and Eilidh were sitting, chatting around the table next to the one Marcie was using as a dance floor. They’d lasted longer than I’d expected. With them all being pregnant, I had thought they’d have gone home by now.

Gracie waved at me and I gave her a little wave back before grabbing a drink and heading her way. As I approached, I couldn’t help but notice how happy they all looked. Happy and pregnant. They were each partnered with a Rominov. I guessed the Rominov boys had strong little swimmers. I sniggered as I found myself wondering if the Orlovs did, too.

Don’t go there!I told myself firmly. Nevertheless, my eyes drifted to each of their bellies and a warm glow travelled through me.