Page 125 of All at Once

I laugh. “Would you believe me if I told you my friends did the exact same? But also withHigh School Musical.”

He tilts his head up at me. “Now what makes you think I’d believe that?”

As I smile at the reminder of how silly we all were during our adolescence and still probably are, Luca asks, “So where do you want to go tonight?”

“What about a nightclub?” I suggest.

“Okay, yeah sure.”

Noting a bit of surprise in his voice, I add, “It’s just I couldn’t really enjoy it that much during the first weekend. But if you prefer doing something else, I’m okay with that as well.”

He quickly shakes his head and smiles. “No, I don’t mind. I’m open to anything.”

“Is there a different one you’d recommend so we can try somewhere new?” I ask.

He glances at me knowingly. “Yeah. I know one I think you’d like.”

“Perfect.” I grin as his hand intertwines in mine.

_________

When we’re back at the resort, the first thing I look for is the sheer black halter midi dress that I got from the boutique next to the lobby.

I intentionally put all my hair up in a higher ponytail to reveal its backless cut. My red cocktail dress may have been the most revealing thing I’ve worn so far, but this iswaybolder.

Even without Luca, I would have still worn this dress tonight. But now I want to make animpression. Maybe a bit more, since I’ve noticed he’s taking things pretty slow with me.

He’s been extremely well-behaved. Dare I say, a bittoobehaved. To the point where I feel a little bad for being disappointed that he’s not initiating to do more than just kissing yet.

While I put on my short black strappy heels, I wonder if he’s just waiting for me to give him a hint that I’m comfortable to take things further, and so that’s exactly what I’m going to do tonight.

When I hear a knock, the adrenaline in my veins spikes as I walk toward the door and open it. Luca quickly looks down my dress, with his top lip pressed softly down onto his bottom. Then he abruptly looks up at me, his eyes darker. “Ready?”

His glance wasn’t quick enough for me tonotnotice. And the fact that he doesn’t comment one word on what I’m wearing, despite usually doing so, makes me smirk to myself at the hold that this seems to be having on him.

Suddenly I feel a bit morepowerful. Like I have this sense of control I’ve never had before. And I didn’t wear this dress for nothing. Flaunting the back of it would only be the logical thing to do here. So I make sure to walk slightly ahead of him, that way he has the perfect view of it.

I shouldn’t have turned around though. When I glance back at him and notice him quickly look up, I immediately clock how he almost freezes in place. I don’t know what’s sexier. Knowing that Luca was looking down my body. Or the way his cheeks are flushing now that I caught him staring.

This is dangerous though. Because now I feel even more powerful as I turn back around and continue walking with pure satisfaction.

_________

Luca wasn’t joking when he said I’d like this club. It’s more of an indoor-outdoor hybrid, and it’s filled with these fluorescent lights. I can already tell I love it by the music alone. When I instantly recognize the song, I pull his hand toward the dance floor. “They’re playing Dua Lipa. C’mon.”

As if his attire isn’t distracting enough, with his black cropped pants and navy linen shirt that’s unbuttoned at the top, my eyes grow even heavier when a third button pops open, revealing more of his now sweaty chest.

Even while we’re dancing, I’m too focused on his skin to notice he’s looking at me until his voice tickles my ear. “Are you having fun?”

I smile at how endearingly he asks this, noting how he wants to make sure I’m having a good time.

And that’s only making me want him even more.

“Yes. Are you?” I reply as he leans in and playfully kisses my cheek.

When the next song starts, my eyes light up once I recognize the melody, remembering it’s “Nuestra Canción”by GALE. Even though I just started learning more Spanish this past week, Latin music has always been one of my favorite genres to listen to. And since this song also happens to be a favorite of mine, it only adds to the high that I’m currently on.

Everything is going perfectly, but Istillsense that Luca’s holding back.

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