Page 57 of Born into Blood

The main part of the club is packed like usual, and when we’re forced to skirt around the dance floor, it’s impossible to not notice the way the women try to catch Luka’s eye. One brunette in particular is really giving it her all. The glittery dress she’s wearing sparkles with every move she makes, and when she shakes her impressive chest at him, I’m genuinely surprised a nipple doesn’t pop out. I’m not sure if I should be pissed or impressed.

Luka just sounds pissed when he tightens his arm around me and growls, “What a fucking idiot.”

The woman hears him, looking shocked to her core at being dismissed so easily, but then she narrows her eyes and whips her hair around, turning her attention to the man nearest her. A new song starts up, and her ass is already shaking to the beat of it, desperate to prove that she’s still got it.

“I don’t think she cared for that,” I holler up at him.

He laughs and smiles down at me. “I really don’t think I give a fuck. She was being disrespectful to you, and I only said what was true. She’s a fucking idiot if she thinks any woman could ever tempt me away from you.”

Well, that’s just sweet, and when he sees the sappy smile I give him, he smiles even bigger and leans down to kiss me.

“Let’s go, baby. I don’t want to waste any of our time together here.”

He leads me out of the club, and this time when I walk past the long line of gorgeous women waiting to get in, I don’t let myself feel inferior to them. I don’t care what they think. It’s impossible to remain invisible while on Luka’s arm, but I’m slowly learning how to be okay with being seen. I’m slowly learning how to not let it immediately make me think something bad about myself. I will never think of myself as supermodel gorgeous, but that doesn’t mean they get to make me feel ugly. I’m tired of giving other people that kind of power. So, instead of ducking my head like I would normally do, I keep my chin high and smile up at Luka, who’s looking down at me like I’m the most beautiful woman he’s ever laid eyes on. He doesn’t even notice the women lined up and trying like hell to get his attention. He’s too busy looking at me, and god does that feel good.

When he leads me to his Porsche, he opens the door for me and once we’re both seated, he asks, “Are we all set?”

I smile even bigger and nod my head. He’d asked me this morning if there was any way I could stay with him all night, and I’d quickly said yes. I’d told my mom that one of my coworkers wanted me to stay over at her new apartment, and when she’d started to run through a checklist of reasons on why that wasn’t a good idea, I’d very firmly shut that shit down and told her that I’m way too old for her to still be treating me like this. I know she worries, and I know her head gets all kinds of fucked up, but I can’t keep living like this. Luka’s helped me to realize that, and he’s helped me to see how much more I want out of life. My mom had eventually given up on trying to talk me out of my decision, but she wasn’t happy about it.

Luka grabs my hand and kisses the back of it while he drives us away from the bustling club. “I hate to spring this on you, but what do you think about meeting my family this Sunday?”

“All of them?”

He smiles at the horror and blind panic that’s managed to coat my words. “Yes. My parents want to meet you.”

“Then can’t I just meet them?” I ask. “Don’t you think that would be easier? We can just do it Noah’s Ark style. You know, two at a time?”

He laughs and shakes his head. “They’ll just all crash the party. They all know about you, and they all want to meet you.”

“Jesus,” I whisper, my palms already starting to sweat.

“We’re having a big family supper at Dominic’s house.”

“Great, so my boss will be there too.”

“He is married to my cousin. You’ll get to meet their daughter,” he says, trying to sweeten the pot. “Isabella is very cute.”

“I’m sure she is, but what if they don’t like me?”

“Impossible,” he quickly says.

I stare out the window and whisper my real fear. “What if they don’t think I’m good enough for you?”

“Never going to happen.” He kisses my hand again, and I take comfort in the fact that he hadn’t even hesitated for a second. “That’s not how my family is, kisa. They judge people on who they are and nothing else, and you’re perfect, exactly the kind of person they’ll love.”

“And what kind of person is that?”

He’s pulling into the parking garage and doesn’t answer me until he’s parked and cupping my face in his hands. “The kind of person who’s sweet and kind and values loyalty, the kind of person who hears a stray kitten and doesn’t think twice about rescuing it, and, most importantly, you’re the person I’m in love with.”

“Luka,” I whisper, “you don’t have to tell me that if you don’t mean it.”

“I would never say it if I didn’t mean it.” His thumb caresses my cheek, and I lean into his touch. “You’re the only woman I will ever say those words to, Lara. I don’t care that we haven’t known each other that long. I think I fell in love with you the first second I saw you, and I’m not going to run away from that just because it happened quickly. Some people need years to figure out what they want, but all I needed was just a few moments alone with you to know that you are the only woman I’ll ever want.”

He gives a soft laugh. “Maybe it’s a family thing. The Melnikov men tend to fall hard and fast, but once we do, there’s no going back.” His thumb lightly grazes my bottom lip. “You’re it for me, sweetheart.”

“So you’re saying I’m stuck with you?” I ask, fighting a smile.

He laughs and my smile breaks through at the carefree sound of it. “You are, kisa, yes.” He rests his forehead against mine while keeping my face cupped in his hands. “Because I’m never letting you go.”

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