Page 32 of Born into Blood

“I know, Mom. I remember.”

Running my fingers through Pip’s soft fur once more, I smile down at him and then grab my purse before leaving and locking the door behind me. When I’m walking out of the parking garage, it hits me that I should’ve asked what he’d be driving, but as soon as my eyes land on the silver Porsche parked on the corner, I know it has to be him. No one else around here is going to be driving a car like that.

I weave my way around a group of girls who look like they’re ready for a night of partying, and he must be looking for me, because as soon as I step ahead of them, he opens the door and gets out.

“Holy shit,” I hear one of the girls behind me whisper, and she’s absolutely right, because holy shit.

Luka is the definition of sexy. He’s tall and well built, but his body doesn’t scream steroids when you look at him. He’s muscular in a way that screams intense workouts but not like he lives, eats, and breathes the gym. He’s cut and lean and perfect. My eyes run over the long legs encased in dark jeans, the trim waist that I was lucky enough to touch the other night, the tattooed forearms, cut biceps, and finally the beautiful face. His full mouth is spread in a genuine smile, and there’s no way in hell I can’t return it. He’s wearing a red T-shirt tonight, and fuck does it look good against his tanned skin, dark hair, and green eyes.

“Jesus,” another girl whispers behind me. “Is he smiling at me?”

I hear a few giggles, but when Luka closes the distance, it’s my face he cups as he smiles down at me.

“I missed you, kisa,” he murmurs before pressing his lips to mine in a kiss that makes me forget about everything except him. It’s not quite as deep as the one he gave me in the hall, but it’s damn close. His tongue brushes along mine in a teasing swipe, and when I wrap my hands around his wrists, he runs his thumb along my cheek and lets out a soft groan.

Pulling back, he rests his forehead against mine and gives a soft laugh. “I probably shouldn’t be allowed to touch you in public.”

“I think we’re making the girls behind me very jealous,” I tell him.

“What girls?”

Right here in this moment, I think I fall in love with Luka Melnikov. He’s not teasing me; he just genuinely has no idea what the hell I’m talking about.

“The group of women right behind me who are dressed in very little and clearly looking for a good time, the ones who have been eyeballing you since you stepped out of your insanely sexy car.”

“I didn’t notice them.”

“You can’t be this perfect,” I whisper, staring into his green eyes. “No one is this damn perfect.”

“You’re the perfect one, kisa. I’m far from it.”

He doesn’t give me a chance to argue, just takes my hand in his and leads me to the passenger side so he can open the door for me. This is the closest I’ve ever been to a Porsche, and when I sink into the buttery soft, leather seat, I let out a purr of pleasure that I’m thankful he doesn’t hear because he’s already walking around to get in the other side.

“So where are you taking me?” I ask him once he’s shut his door and the city noises fade while my heart seems to grow louder with every chaotic beat.

The sexy grin on his face makes it hard to breathe. “Before I tell you what I have planned, do you have any special requests?”

I speak without thinking. “I don’t want you to take me anywhere that you’ve taken other girls to.” I watch his smile drop while his brows furrow. “Shit, I’m sorry,” I quickly say. “I don’t know why I said that.”

That’s not exactly true. I do know why I said it, I just can’t believe I actually said it out loud. If this is my one and only date with Luka, then I want it to be all mine. I want a night of memories that’s just ours. I don’t want other dates, other women, entering his mind when he’s with me. I don’t want anything we do reminding him of someone else.

I just don’t want to fall short tonight.

His thumb grazing along my own furrowed brow pulls me from my thoughts and brings me back to the present.

“There’s a lot going on in there, kisa. Want to tell me about it?”

“Not really.”

He gives a soft laugh and leans closer so he can kiss my forehead, and then he surprises the everliving fuck out of me by saying, “Your request is an easy one, sweetheart. This is the first time I’ve ever taken anyone out on a date.”

I laugh because no way is he serious right now. I wait for him to join in, but he just looks at me with that same easy grin and sexy-as-hell arched brow.

“There’s no way that’s true.”

“Why not?”

I wave my hand at him. “That’s why. All of this right here is why there’s no way in hell that’s true.”

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