Page 97 of Worship

“Tonight, I’m going to F-U-C-K your brains out.”

I dissolve into laughter, holding my arms up and motioning around us.

“News flash: this is a one-bedroom arrangement. We’re living like the Amish, buddy.”

I shake my head and start to play with some toy trucks Luca brought with him for Ella as I look out at the luggage in my apartment.

He came to me. Leveled the playing field and showed me how important I was.He bent for me.Luca doesn’t do that for anyone.

My gaze drifts back up, and he has his phone to his ear. “Have it ready in an hour. We’ll leave right after dinner.” He pops a piece of what he’s cooking into his mouth, seeming to enjoy it.

“Leave?” I question to his chewing face.

He takes a drink of wine and looks at me.

“Like you said, the Amish. I can’t do that. Hard no. So, we’re packing up and going to my lake house for a long weekend.” So much for bending.

I do a double take.

“What? First, were you going to ask me? And second, how did I not know that you owned a lake house?”

I’m actually more amazed at the second part than I am at his bulldozing.

Luca presses a hand on the counter and leans forward, his chest making me want to bite it.

“Baby, I’m insanely wealthy. There’s practically nothing I don’t own. Are you going to come? Or do I need to stuff you in the trunk, gorgeous?”

His voice is seductive, so much so that he’s just made kidnapping sound pleasurable. I feel dreamy, and he chuckles knowing I’m not paying attention to anything he’s saying. I’m 100 percent reducing him to eye candy.

“Open your mouth and answer me, Angel. Or if you prefer, I can find another use for it?”

I roll my eyes at him dramatically, trying to hide my love for the second half of his statement. Ella pats my leg, and I look down at her.

“Daddy’s an A-S-S hole,” I say in the sweetest voice.

I scrunch my nose as she crawls to the table and turn my attention back to my handsome chef.

“Yes, I’m coming. It’s fine. I’ll take a long weekend. I’m thinking of leaving Cohen anyway; maybe I’ll pick your brain while we drive.”

Ella lifts an arm, then the other, bringing herself to her knees, and begins to pull up on the coffee table.

“Of course. Why are you thinking of leaving? That’ll be a big hit for them.”

I don’t answer, in shock at what Ella is about to do.

“Luca…” I whisper out.

“What?” he answers, facing away from me.

“Luca!” I snap, and his head swings in my direction. I look at him with wide eyes and point.

“Oh.” He sucks in a breath, not wanting to scare her.

I slowly scoot a little closer, just in case she takes a tumble, and smile at his beaming face. Ella pulls all the way up, and we cheer like a bunch of buffoons.

Luca looks at me and winks.

“Now we’re in for it.”