Page 6 of Worship

“What a dick.”

Did he just look me up and down?

“I thought so.” I point behind me to my car as my goodbye.

Luca puts the cigar out on the stone step and stands.Fucking gorgeous.

His eyes stay trained on me, and I can’t help that a part of me likes it. I’m attracted to him, but I know my boundary.

Plus, at this point, he could never live up to the dirty things he’s done in my dreams. Taking the steps slowly, he rubs his jaw that’s covered in a five-o’clock shadow.

“You know, I’ve been thinking about our conversation since the last time I saw you.”

Me too. Almost daily.

“Oh yeah, what about?” I step back, finding myself against my car.

I’ve been moving backward as he’s stepped forward. My fingers begin fidgeting with my keys, my eyes flicking down to watch the clinking and hear the jingling sound they make as I move them around.

His strong hand reaches out and covers mine, stilling the noise. My eyes shoot to his, uncomfortable and yet excited by his touch. He’s trouble, or just troubled. But either way, being this close to Luca King is very bad news.

“Tell me something.” He asks, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth then slowly letting it go.

I nod, drawn into his request and the slight smell of bourbon and cigars. My curiosity is getting the better of me.

“If you sacrificed love for responsibility, would you forgive the other person for not doing the same? Or would you punish them?” His eyes are locked on mine.

“Both,” I say without hesitation, swallowing hard.

“But wouldn’t that make you a monster?” The look on his face is best described as fascination, like he expected a different answer.

“Maybe. But the only difference between gods and monsters is intention. Is the punishment retribution or justice?”

He looks down at his hand covering mine and lets go, bringing his gaze back to mine. “I haven’t decided.” He shoves his hands into his pockets and takes a step back.

Suddenly I can breathe again. “Jesus, Luca…are you always this intense? I thought you were the easygoing brother.” I laugh, letting out a breath.

His smirk is almost sinister. “Looks can be deceiving, Angel.” His head juts to my car, and he winks. “Go home, Gretchen. There are monsters out.”

He takes a few steps backward, eyes on mine, then he turns, walking back toward the house. I want him to look back, but he doesn’t. I know because I watch him the whole damn way.Fuck me.

MY LAPTOP ILLUMINATES THE LITTLEdreamer sound asleep on my chest. We’re both cuddled into my king-size bed. Ella’s cheek pressed against my skin leaves her tiny red-lipped pout agape, with her dark curls framing her peaceful face.

I was sending emails when she woke crying, and this seemed to be the only solution. She didn’t care for my pacing or sitting; she just wanted to use me as her bed, and who am I to say no? The fact is, I’m worn-out from Dominic’s tonight, so hanging with my best girl seemed like a perfect idea.

My phone dings next to me, and I reach for it, opening the message.

Shelby: Leaving for the weekend. Need some time to clear my head.

Amazing, she needs to clearherhead. What a joke.

Me: Don’t care.

Shelby: Nice. You’re not even going to ask where I’m going?

Me: I assumed hell…figured you wanted to be around your own kind.

Shelby: Fuck you. I’ll be in Miami.