Page 26 of Moonlight & Matrimony (Oak Ridge #2)

Luca

? Speak Too Soon - Wild Rivers

I wake up tangled in the sheets, reaching out to pull Ivy into my arms, but the bed is cold and empty.

The curtains are drawn, but there’s a sliver of sunlight streaming in through the cracks.

Rolling over to check the time, I come to the shocking realization that I slept in for the first time in years.

If I hurry, I can still make it on time for work, so I shower and dress as quickly as possible before rushing out the door.

I don’t see Ivy’s car in the drive, so I’m assuming she left to pick up Rylin. I make a mental note to text her later.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” Miles snickers. “You look like a man who saw God last night.”

“I did get a good night’s rest, if that’s what you mean.”

“Mmmhmm.”

“So what’s on the agenda today, boss?” Deflection, thy name is Luca.

Miles runs down a list of about a thousand things we need to get done, but I’m only half listening at this point.

My mind is busy replaying scenes from the hottest night of my life.

The way Ivy writhed and moaned beneath me will feature in all of my fantasies for years to come.

There’s a very important conversation we need to have when I see her next, but all I can think about is how I’m going to get her into my bed again.

And again. And again, if I have my way. Something tells me she’s not going to make it easy.

When I finally snap back to the present, Miles is looking at me with a self-satisfied smirk. “Yeah. I thought so,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder. “Let’s get started on the windows and I’ll run down the list when you’re not thinking with your dick.”

The rest of the morning is uneventful. I’ve developed a decent rapport with the rest of the crew, and we’ve settled into an easy groove. It’s always a little awkward when you’re the new guy, but they’re all good people, and they’ve welcomed me with open arms.

“Lunch at Rosie’s?” Miles asks.

“Sure, let me just drop off my stuff in the office.”

I deposit my hard hat and tool belt on the desk, then check my phone for any messages. A knot forms in my stomach when I realize Ivy still hasn’t checked in. As I walk out to the parking lot, Miles is there waiting. He tosses his keys in the air and catches them. “I’ll drive.”

I grit my teeth, bracing myself for the inevitable interrogation as I climb into Miles' truck. But it never comes. Something feels off with my friend, and I can't quite figure out why. "You okay, man?" I ask.

“What?” he asks, his voice sharp before he clears his throat and turns his attention back to the road. “Yep. All good.” His tone tells me everything is far from good, but it's not my place to ask.

The now familiar bell chimes when we enter the diner, just as Rosie pushes through the swinging doors to the kitchen, greeting us with an enthusiastic wave.

Miles leads me to what he describes as the “usual booth” but before we can get there, my favorite girl runs over, wrapping herself around my legs. “Luca!”

“Hey Bug, how are you?”

“Good. Mommy got me a milkshake!”

“Yum! Did you pick chocolate? That’s my favorite.”

“Uh huh,” she nods her head vigorously, tossing her curls haphazardly around her face.

“She’s on a sugar high,” a familiar voice cuts in, and I glance up to find myself face to face with the star of all of my wet dreams. She looks beautiful in a tight green dress, showcasing her curves in the most delicious way, half of her hair casually clipped up at the back while the rest cascades around her shoulders.

Miles elbows me, letting me know I’ve been staring for an awkwardly long time. “Hey sweetheart, how’s your day going?” I ask, shaking myself out of my thoughts.

“Better now that I ran into you.” There’s a hint of something vulnerable in her expression, but it’s gone before I have the chance to decipher it.

“Is that so?”

She bites her bottom lip, something I’ve noticed she does when she’s nervous, and I have to stop myself from reaching out to tug it free.

“I’ll just head over to our table,” Miles says, excusing himself from whatever is happening between me and my wife in the middle of what I’ve been told is gossip central.

Not wanting to cause a stir, I reach down to pluck Rylin off my legs, pulling her up into my arms. We need to act like a happy family if we’re going to pull off a miracle in court next month.

At least that's what I’m telling myself every time I have the urge to do something reckless, like kiss my wife in public.

Ivy’s face softens at the gesture. “She missed you.”

“I missed her, too,” I admit. It’s almost jarring how much this little girl has come to mean to me over the last few weeks. I suspect that’s not uncommon for anyone who meets her. She’s a sweet kid, if a little wild at times.

“Join us for lunch?” I ask.

“Oh, we already ate. But I guess we can hang out for a little bit. When do you have to get back?”

“You can ask the boss, he’s already at the booth.”She laughs and follows me over to our spot. Once she’s seated near the window, I place Rylin down in the middle, sandwiching her between her mom and me.

Rosie appears at our side, and I’m not sure how I missed her approach. “What can I get started for y’all?”

I place my order, making sure to get extra fries to share with my girls. Ivy would never admit to it, but I already know she’s going to be reaching around her daughter to snag a few, despite having just eaten. I’ve learned to anticipate that particular little quirk.

“Are you sure you’re not hungry?”

“Nope. I’m good.” I raise an eyebrow, which she quickly dismisses with the shake of her head.

“If you say so. What do you have planned for this afternoon?”

“I have the adoption event at Chapters and Brews in an hour,” she replies.

“Kitties!” Rylin exclaims. I wish I could bottle some of her energy for myself. I can’t remember the last time I was excited about something as simple as a kitten adoption event. Except last night when you were balls deep in a different pussy.

Miles and Ivy get to talking about the event and before long, our meals are deposited on the table.

Just as I predicted, my extra side of fries is put to good use.

Giving my wife a knowing smirk, I slide the whole plate in front of Rylin, whose cheeks are puffed out like a chipmunk.

Ivy rolls her eyes, dismissing me as she shovels several more fries into her mouth.

The chatter dies down and I devour my BLT in just a few bites, only now realizing I completely bypassed breakfast in my frenzy to get to work.

I glance down as Rylin leans her head on my arm. “Are you tired, Ry?” I ask.

“Nuh uh,” she says, but her sleepy eyes betray her.

“She didn’t sleep well last night. Evelyn said she had a nightmare,” Ivy explains, a somber edge to her voice. “I asked her what it was about, but she didn’t want to talk about it.”

I reach down to brush a soft curl out of her face, noting the glazed look in Rylin’s eyes. “Daddy took mommy away,” she whispers. Her beautiful blue eyes start to close as I stroke my hand over her back in a soothing motion.

“It’s ok, little one. Your mommy is right here. And I’ll be here too. Go to sleep.”

I look up to find Miles carefully shifting to the edge of the booth. He drops a couple of $50 bills on the table. “I’m gonna head out. Take your time. I’ll see you back at work later.”

“Thanks, man.” He nods before exiting onto Main Street with a quick wave over his shoulder.

“I should get her in the car. Maybe if I drive around for a while, she’ll get a decent nap before we have to head to Chapters.”

“I don’t mind sitting here a while longer,” I say, shifting Rylin so that her head is resting on my lap, her little legs curled up under her in the fetal position. “It’s not exactly a hardship to spend time with you, Ivy.”

“I don’t want to keep you. I’m sure they’ll be wanting you back at the job site soon.”

“Some things are more important than work, sweetheart. This, right here —” I say, gesturing to the sleeping girl on my lap, “ — is one of them.” Her expression sobers and I’m momentarily confused, left wondering where I took a wrong turn in our conversation.

“We should talk about last night,” she says, her tone clipped.

“Ok…” Her face is blank, and it feels like I’m walking a very fine line, so I keep my mouth shut, hoping she’ll fill the silence.

“It can’t happen again, Luca. It was…”

“Amazing?” I interject. “Life altering, hot as fuck, mind blowing? Take your pick. I have a laundry list of descriptors, Ivy. But mistake isn’t one of them.” She exhales a stuttered breath and I know I’m not going to like what comes next.

“It was a moment of weakness. It shouldn’t have happened.”

“Like hell, it shouldn’t.” I’m doing my best to keep my frustration from boiling over, but everything she’s saying is churning my gut. I will never regret our night together; the thought that Ivy does causes a prickling sense of unease to stir within me.

“Luca…”

“No, Ivy. You’re not going to sit here and belittle this thing between us. I know you felt it, too.”

“I can’t…” she turns to look out the window, giving me the cold shoulder, and suddenly the pieces start to come together.

I gentle my tone, hoping to set her at ease. “I’m not him, Ivy.”

“I know. I just can’t do this, Luca. We have to keep our attraction out of this. For Rylin.”

“For Rylin. Sure.” I secure my mask of indifference, shifting Rylin into my arms. “Let’s get this little one to the car.”

“Luca. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Let’s go.”

It’s probably for the best, anyway. Eventually, everybody leaves. I can’t afford to get attached.

Luca, 2 years ago