Page 132 of All at Once

Crashing into the water, I’m even more soaked than the last time this happened two weeks ago. But I can’t complain too much given how my bikini top is still fully intact. The pile of seaweed and kelp currently attached to my hair makes up for this though.

I turn around when I hear Luca’s voice.

He leans in and helps me remove the sea vegetables out of my hair, while trying to stifle his laughter. “How do these things keep happening to you?”

I spread my arms wide. “What can I say? I’m a magnet to chaos.”

Thinking I’ve removed it all, he pushes my hair away from my neck. Between the cold water droplets scattered across mycollarbone, Luca’s warm hand against my body, and the hot sun beaming down on both of us, I feel a wave of chills hit me all at once.

I look at his crystal blue eyes as he lifts another piece of kelp from me. “There,” he says. “That was the last piece.” My lips part open slightly when I notice him swallow hard. “Your eyes are so fucking beautiful.”

I shake my head. “Of course you have to say it likethat.”

“Say it likewhat?”

“You knowexactlywhat.”

“I’m sorry, but I really need to look away now. It’s just too much,” he says, while shielding his face from me, making me snort.

When he glances back over, the way our eyes meet is as if they never left each other.

Too frozen to say or do anything, I barely manage to smile back as he looks just as affected by this as me. “Do you want to go back yet or continue?” he asks.

“We can go back,” I reply. “I’m starting to get a little hungry actually.”

And that’s not just because of my stomach…

CHAPTER 22

“The Prophecy” – Taylor Swift

MAKING OUT WHEN WE’RE BACK at Luca’s suite feels like torture when his fingers trace up my bare legs, only to stop right below my thighs. “You know…” I gasp between my sighs. “I’m ready,” I say, wondering if he wants me to initiate this first.

The catch in his breath tickles my cheeks as his weight shifts from above me on the bed.

Maybe I should have justshowedhim I’m ready than tell him?I fear I’m doing this all wrong.

“Unless you don’t want to yet,” I add, raising my eyes, unsure what he’s thinking.

Luca quickly shakes his head. “No, of course I want to. I just don’t want you to feel like we have to rush anything.”

This further confirms to me that his forwardness after the club was more in the heat of the moment. Since last night he’s shifted back to his slightly more reserved behavior. And how can I even blame him when I’m sure he’s sensing the nerves that I’m still working through.

But knowing in my heart that this isn’t just about the fact that I’ll be leaving soon and that we have a limited number of days left together here, it’s about wanting to pushpastthe nerves.With him.

And so I trace my fingers up and down his arms from beneath, reassuring him, “After waiting years to do this, I promise you that rushing this is the only inaccurate conclusion to make here.” His lips curve into the tiniest smile. “And I’m not just saying that since I’m horny or anything if that’s also what you’re wondering.”

Why did I just admit that to him?

But to be fair I have bigger problems if I’m afraid to admit this to him.

Luca tilts his head with a sudden intrigue that’s already starting to affect my temperature. “Am I turning you on?”

Looking down at the way his chest’s moving, I remind myself to blink. “I mean, my period also ended not too long ago so I wouldn’t take too much credit.”

His mouth drops open in exaggeration, making me wish his lips never left mine. “Ouch. That’s harsh.” Luckily he leans in, pressing his weight over me again. “Your heartbeat from a second ago would have to disagree with you.”

“How can you prove that?”

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