Page 48 of Shiver

“Hey, princess, wait up!” I shout, jogging to catch up with her.

When her eyes catch on mine and she realizes who’s shouting behind her, she shakes her head and continues in the direction of her car.

Too bad for her:I like the chase.

“Oh, come on!” I yell, speeding up as I sidle her.

“Go away, Luca.” She groans as she makes it to the door of her Range Rover, pulling the door open. And before she can get in, I’m on her.

My hands rest on either side of her head, and I have to resist the urge to run my nose up the length of her neck. She smells so fucking good—intoxicating like cognac and something sweet like pralines.

God, why is this woman seemingly created just to test every ounce of my resolve?

“Luca, I want to go home,” she huffs out, but there’s no real annoyance in her words.

“Did you enjoy the game?” I ask, hoping she’ll somehow forget she’s not a fan of me.

“Yes, and now I want to go home and crawl into my bed, which I’m certain I’ll enjoy just as much, if not more,” she says, twisting her body to try and get into the car.

I don’t want her to feel caged in, so I lean away from her reluctantly. She slides into her seat, clipping her seatbelt quickly, and looks as if she’s about ready to pull away, whether I’m standing here or not.

“Have you eaten?” I ask her.

“I had a couple of beers and a pretzel,” she tells me with a pinched expression.

“That’s not a lot of food. Are you sure you’re safe to drive home?” I ask, leaning into her slightly but stopping myself.

I’ve always been careful about those around me drinking and driving, but ever since Gianni’s best friend passed away in that accident, I’ve arguably become even more paranoid about it.

“I assure you, I’m fine.” But the way her brows draw together marginally makes me think that she may be second-guessing herself.

“I live just around the corner, and you’re nearly a half hour away from here. Just come over, and I’ll make us some dinner and you can drive yourself home after you’ve gotten some food in your system.Please,” I plead with her. I see the precise moment in which her hard exterior cracks.

“I promise you, I wouldneverdrive if I didn’t feel completely confident I was safe, and I’d never put other people at risk, but if it’ll make you feel better,” she sighs, relaxing back into her seat, “I’ll let you make me dinner. But after that, I’m gone, you got it?” she clarifies, her words stern, but they light me up inside.Fuck yeah!

I nod, probably a little too over excitedly, and close her car door, running across the parking lot to my motorcycle. I pull my helmet on and drive up behind her. She pulls out and heads toward my place. In less than two minutes, we’re pulling into my driveway.

Chapter forty-four

Samara

What has gotten into me? Why did I say yes?

Because you’re hungry, obviously. That’s theonlyreasonable explanation.

And since when does this man have a motorcycle? I’ve only ever seen him in that massive Tahoe.

The gall of this man to get on me about driving home after two beers I had over the course of two freaking hours, only for him to climb onto a motorcycle minutes later as if those things are safe!

I try to calm my temper, doing my best to remind myself that at least he’s wearing a helmet andhehasn’t had anything to drink.

I meet him at the front door, but I can’t help the small step back I take when I see Cecily open it, standing with Gia in her arms.

She smiles brightly at me, the sadness in her eyes all but vanished since the last time I saw her.

“Gia,mia bambina,” Luca calls to his daughter with outstretched arms as he goes to grab her from her mother. He presses a kiss to the top of her head and bounces on the balls of his feet, looking into her eyes as she giggles at her nickname.

“Thanks for watching her tonight, Cici. How’d it go?” he asks her as she grabs her purse from a hook by the door.

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