Page 96 of Savior

“And doing a damned fine job of it,” Luca mutters, trailing up the steps and setting the bucket down on the small bench that looks handmade for a couple to sit outside and take in the view.

I sip my coffee as I move closer and peek over the edge of the bucket. “You only got two eggs?”

“Listen, I know that you’re hellbent on taking up for the little cretin, but don’t make fun of me for only getting two feet inside that coop with Lucifer’s rooster fast on my heels. I barely escaped!”

Now, the laugh I’ve been hiding barrels out of me.

I cover my mouth with my free hand. “I’m sorry.”

“Are you?” he jokes, lurching forward and poking me in the side, making me laugh more.

The moment grows heavy as he looms overhead, looking down at me as we both realize how easy and free we feel. I know because I’m fighting with myself whenever we have the most mundane moments together.

I’m in denial at how much I feel about Father Russo. I know I am.

But the look in his eyes tells me he’s not.

He knows what he feels and the ramifications.

What happened in my bedroom only an hour ago is still fresh between us, and it has prickles of awareness dotting my skin the longer he stands too close.

I clear my throat, and he takes a massive step backward.

“If you want fresh eggs, you’ll have to be the one that gets them. Good luck.” He snatches up the bucket, stopping beside me to say, “Dealing with that rooster means employing the equivalent of the Dog Whisperer.”

I snicker, trying not to let on how heavily I still feel his presence deep in my marrow. “The Rooster Whisperer? Is that what you’ll call me when I get the eggs from him and get out alive?”

He thrusts the bucket at me like it’s some bet between us, his eyes dancing with amusement at the thought of me getting attacked by the same nasty rooster he’d just dealt with.

My sassy spirit rises, and I take the handle, handing him my cup. I sink into rubber boots on the porch, likely Brynne’s, and set out towards the coop.

I turn back. “What do I win if I get the eggs?”

Luca’s rueful eyes lock on me, a smirk tugging his lips up his face. “A foot rub.”

Part of me knows any more touching is dangerous. We’ve already gone way further than we should have. The other part wants to always have his hands on me, so I ignore the logic skimming through my brain.

“And if I lose?” I ask.

“You give me a foot rub.” He waggles his eyebrows.

I purse my lips. “Better warm your hands up. Wouldn’t want them to get tired mid-rub!”

My boots slosh in the mud as I approach the coop. The smell of chicken shit and feed invades my nose as I open the door after unlatching it.

Ardesia had told us always to be mindful of the rooster. He has a name, but fuck if I can remember it.

I only add three eggs to the bucket before the beast moves off in the corner. I hadn’t even seen him when I walked in; I’d hoped he’d decided to take a nap.

Or even just a slight break from his tormenting.

“Now, listen here. I have a good thing going on, and if you just let me get these eggs, I’ll win a bet. Work with me, huh? Can you do that?”

As I speak to him, he slowly makes his move towards me.

Five eggs left, and I’ve gotten them all.

“Just a minute longer,” I tell him, coaxing him to be friendly with an even tone. “Almost…”

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