Page 58 of Shiver

I hear her smack something on a hard surface and try to picture what the hell it could’ve been. A book on her table, maybe?No, I shake my head. She wouldn’t risk injuring a book like that.

“Fine. You getonehour and not a minute more, Luca. You see the place, and then youleave.Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I say, smiling ear to ear. “Text me your address.”

The line goes dead, and my gut starts to sink, but a text with her address comes through a moment later.Hell, yes!

Chapter forty-nine

Samara

Why had I agreed to this again? Oh, right… Because I’ve lost my goddamn mind.

Clearly.

I’m running around my apartment, making sure I don’t have anything lying around that would be easy for Luca to pick on.

I don’t need him telling my parents about anything he’s seen over here. Something tells me he isn’t going to shy away from opening that big mouth of his, even while onmyfamily vacation.

Is it a vacation though?More like hell-cation. It’s about to be the longest four days of my life. My parents will be dissecting my every move, with my mom making note of every morsel of food I put into my mouth, just like she has my entire life. And now I’ve added the need to resist Luca to the mix—as if my resolve isn’t already paper thin where he’s concerned.More like tissue paper.

The loud rumbling of an engine from outside my door is followed immediately by an obnoxious knock done in a pattern of six beats.

I take a long breath in through my nose and slowly release it through my mouth as I make one final sweep over the living room. I’m nearly certain there’s nothing here that even Luca could manage to make an inappropriate comment about.

He knocks three more times, pulling me out of my thoughts.Well, shit.I guess I’m really doing this then.

I’d been half hoping he’d just leave.

Unlocking the door, I yank it open, and Luca’s towering frame greets me. He’s wearing a snug black T-shirt that perfectly hugs his every muscle, and his dark waves are tousled and a little sweaty from his helmet.

He reaches out to my face, running the pad of his thumb across the corner of my lip, startling me. I swat his hand away. “What the hell?” I snap at him.

“Figured I’d help you out and wipe that drool from your mouth,princess.” He winks at me, only annoying me further.

“I wasn’t drooling, you jackass. Are you coming in or not? Your hour has already started, and I’m more than happy to let you spend every moment of it out on my porch.”

“Whatever you’ve gotta tell yourself,” he says, letting himself into my space. He removes his shoes at the door and drags a hand through his dark hair, pushing it out of his face.

I shut the door behind him, relatching it. “You know, you don’t have to lock me in here. I’d gladly stay,” he tells me with a smirk.

My gaze swings over to the clock hanging in the entryway before meeting his eyes. “You’re down to fifty-three minutes. Use them wisely,” I inform him.

He chuckles. “Yes, ma’am. Do I get the official tour, or should I just show myself around?”

I let out an exasperated huff, sauntering off, assuming he’ll follow after me.

When I get to the back of the apartment, I swing a door open, pointing inside. “Laundry room.” He pokes his head inside to look around, and I slam the door when he straightens.

I lead him around my apartment, pointing out the main rooms and allowing him the bare minimum amount of time to visualize everything. When we make it to the guest room, he pushes past me and lifts the edge of the duvet cover, looking under the bed.What is he on?

I don’t bother asking him because that’ll only act to further delay how long he’s here. When he’s finished, we walk across the hall to the only thing he hasn’t seen yet.My bedroom.

I’m feeling some rather heavy animosity toward Luca. It feels like he’s doing everything in his power to make this encounter as uncomfortable for me as possible, and I have no desire to let him keep boosting his ego with his snide remarks.Yes, I came all over this man’s face last weekend. But that doesn’t give him the right to act as if it should happen again or as if I’d evenwantit to happen again.

It was a moment of weakness due to an unfortunate dry spell. I’m talking drier than the desert. Dustier than my grandma’s knick-knack shelf. That’s all this little fluke can be chalked up to.

I twist the knob, pushing the door open, and without a word, he looks over at me as if asking for my approval. Gone is the cocky jerk who reared his ugly head less than an hour ago, and in his place is the somewhat respectful and cautious guy I’ve gotten glimpses of over the last couple of months.

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