Page 313 of Labor of Love

“Okay,” I agreed with a nod. He beamed, and even though we were inside a building, the bar lights dimmed to create ambiance, I swore he shone brighter than if I were staring at the sun.

I was in a daze long after he left. It wasn’t until Asher returned from the kitchen to notify me it was opening time that Istopped staring at the space Luca had occupied, like I could still see him there if I really focused.

An hour later, I got the first text from Luca with a photo of a martini and a message saying he’d never had a martini as good as mine.

I preened at the message, not because it was from him—okay, maybe that was a tiny part of it—but mostly because I took pride in my work, and it was nice seeing others acknowledge that.

We texted for a few minutes in the lull between customers, chatting casually about our lives. We both grew up in the city and had even frequented some of the same places before. Never at the same time, or else I’d definitely would have remembered him. Luca was pretty hard to forget.

By the time the bar was cleaned and closed, it was already pushing past two in the morning. He said he’d wait up for me, but the last text I got from him was over an hour ago. He was probably already asleep. With his body preparing for his rut, he needed all the rest he could get.

I hopped in the shower and did my nighttime routine, planning on resting as well. I’d finish the movie I started last night and get my beauty sleep for a bright and early morning.

Turning on the movie, I checked my phone and found another message from Luca saying he was waiting for my call and a GIF of a Golden Retriever begging.

All his GIFs so far had been of Golden Retrievers. It was adorable.Hewas adorable. AndIwas in so much trouble.

I was calling him before my mind could process it. Luca picked up on the first ring, his voice a little grumbly like he’d just woken from a nap. The happiness in his greeting wasunmistakable and had me feeling all warm and fuzzy, much like conversing with him did.

The movie played in the background, but quite honestly, I wasn’t paying the least bit of attention. I was far more interestedin chatting with Luca about our favorite movies and TV shows. It wasn’t until dawn broke that we ended the call. It was a good thing I didn’t really need to be awake until the afternoon.

Luca didn’t visit the bar over the next couple of days, but he kept in constant contact, either with calls before and after work or texting throughout the day.

The calls helped with the strange longing that accompanied me these days. It was like I was missingsomething…missingLuca. Which wasludicrous, since before last week, I hadn’t even known he existed, and now I couldn’t imagine not filling my days with little interactions with him.

On the second evening since I’d last seen Luca, I finished up the rest of the paperwork I’d put off all week while Lumi tended the bar. It was easier to focus when my eyes weren’t constantly flicking to a certain puppy-like man.

Luca had texted to say he was going to take a nap, so I was surprised to get a call from him right as I turned off my computer.

“Onyx,” was all he said when the line connected.

My name came out breathy on his lips, almost a whisper, almost a plea. A sweet tease of how he would sound moaning my name later.

“Can you… can you come over?” he asked in a shaky voice.

“Yeah, I will,” I replied, and he let out what sounded like a sigh of relief.

“Okay,” he said, his voice almost garbled. “I can’t wait to see you.”

“Me too,” I replied honestly. I was already packing up and grabbed the bag I’d prepared for my stay at his place. Asher was shooing me out of the bar, telling me he’d take care of the place while I was away.

I gave my best friend a tight hug and a grateful thank you. And then I was off to reunite with… my mate.

I was still unsure of the whole fated mates’ thing, but I was coming to accept the fact that he was still mine, regardless.

4

ONYX

The address Luca sent me led me to the ritzier part of town. From what he’d told me this past week, I knew his family came from money, which he’d turned into even more wealth with the company he started a few years back. I didn’t really understand the scale until this moment.

His place was what could only be described as a mansion. Large, golden gates opened to lead down a long, sprawling driveway. Perfectly maintained gardens accompanied the drive to the mansion, which looked even bigger up close. I couldn’t imagine what one would do with all this space.

Luca came barreling out of the mansion before I could even get my car door open. The scent that came off him was pregnant with lust, turning his already sunny scent even more addictive.

His eyes were instantly focused on me, need brimming in them as he stalked toward me like I was his prey. Maybe I was, but I was a willing one.

I closed the distance between us and fell into his eager arms. This close, it was hard not to get wrapped up in his desire. His hands found their home on my ass. He pulled me close, and with him only being an inch or so taller than me, hisveryharderection pressed against my crotch, making my own dick fill in response.

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