Page 87 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

“You appear so lonely, Luca and this house—well, it makes you seem even more so.”

“I am.” I shrug, glancing around me at the immense space. “They purchased this house as an escape if things got too much. As I said, a home away from home that would be my escape and offer me breathing space.”

“That’s a little extreme, don’t you think?” She giggles. “I mean, surely an apartment in town would have been more cost effective.”

“It’s real estate. One of many. It makes money, not bleeds it, and when I leave, I’m guessing it will be here for my sister and cousins, should they need it when they attend Rockwell.”

“So–” Summer’s attention drifts to the space before us. “It’s kind of magnificent. Are you going to show me around?”

I nod. “Sure. Where do you want to start?”

Her blush betrays her, and she points to the staircase. “Shall we begin upstairs?”

I raise my eyes. “I thought you’d never ask.”

41

SUMMER

Iam overwhelmed. I may be used to wealth on an obscene scale, but who purchases a mansion as a bolthole for their kid?

It’s extravagant, foolish and kind of cool and as I take the steps holding onto Luca’s hand, it adds to the reasons why I like this guy so much. He is definitely one of a kind—mykind and a shiver of expectation hits me as I picture what happens next.

We walk in silence along a galleried landing and he stops at a set of double doors.

He says nothing as he opens them and the moonlight streams through the wall of glass that overlooks the darkness outside.

Luca flicks on the lights and I smile my appreciation because this room is decadently beautiful. A model home, in fact, because there is not a crease in the silk bed cover or a wrinkle in the drapes. The carpet is plush white and appears never used. Beautiful white furniture is tastefully dotted around the room, a French style couch covered in silk set before a huge marble fireplace. Paintings hang on the wall of romantic scenes and my gaze lingers on the fourposter bed that dwarfs anything I have ever seen.

Luca is watching my reaction with a considered interest and I whisper, “I love what you’ve done with this room.”

He chuckles softly. “All my own work, of course.”

“Of course.”

He moves to the window and with one press of a switch, the drapes swing closed and as he turns, his eyes gleam with lust.

I swallow hard because we both know what happens next. It’s inevitable and is why we’re here, of course.

“So, pretty princess. How does it feel to be locked in the castle with the villain?”

“Like home.”

His lips curve into a smile and I cross the room until I stand before him and reach for his hand.

“Will it hurt?” I’m anxious about that and search his expression for reassurance.

“Yes.”

He reaches up and strokes my face and whispers, “Beauty comes from pain and so does life. We must experience the bad to appreciate the fantastic.”

“Okay.” I swallow hard and my heart flutters as he leans in for a gentle kiss. It’s not rushed, desperate or intense. Just soft and romantic, belying the man behind it.

His lips work their magic and I easily fold, desperate for more of him, not really understanding what that involves.

He eases my jacket from my shoulders and as his fingers brush against my skin, a burst of wet heat drips down my thighs.

He leans down and kisses my neck and I throw my head back, giving him full access to my body and my soul. Physically, Luca is every dream I ever imagined. Mentally he is more than I dared hope for. I love his dark twisted mind and the way he considers first before speaking. He is an enigma, a dark soul, and yet somehow I see the vulnerability he tries to keep hidden.

---