Page 63 of Shiver

She shakes her head. “I love my family, but they’re overwhelming in large doses, especially to travel with. So, as soon as I turned eighteen, I set a firm boundary of not using any form of public transportation with them. My parents thought I’d lost my mind and assumed I was just going through a phase, but it’s been over a decade, and I haven’t flown with them or so much as ridden a bus with them since high school.”

I smirk at that. “I like that. You know exactly what you want, and you’ve paved a path to getting it. I can respect that.”

“Well, Luca, I’msoglad you can respect something about me.” She rolls her eyes and trudges forward to wait in the crowd of people surrounding baggage claim.

Does she really not think I respect her?I hope she was being playful, but I’m never certain with her.

I sidle up to her and have to stop myself from laughing when I see her glare up at me from the corner of her eye. “Come on, princess, do you actually think I don’t respect you?”

“To tell you the truth, Luca, I’m not sure. Sometimes, you’re super sweet and seemingly understanding of my boundaries, and other times, you do everything in your power to stampede right over them.” She says this without even looking at me, keeping her eyes glued to the conveyor belt of luggage.

“I’m sorry I’ve ever made you feel disrespected, Samara, truly. I know my personality can sometimes be a lot, but I promise to do my best to tone it down for you.” I keep my tone soft as I tell her this, hoping she’ll believe my words.

She assesses me, her dark brows pinching together and her lips pursing. “Neverdull your shine for someone else’s comfort,” she says, shaking her head. “Those of us with big personalities are taught to do so at a young age, but it isn’t us that’s the problem, Luca.” She reaches out, rubbing the pad of her thumb over the space between my thumb and forefinger before she draws back, straightening and looking over at the black belt carrying our luggage. “It’s their fault for trying to adjust our expectations to make themselves seem more interesting,” she says, her words almost a whisper.

Warmth spreads through me, my limbs tingling, and my chest expands. She may never know it, but her words settle something inside me that has never felt like anything less than a beast trying to break free of a cage.

Our luggage comes zooming by, and Samara leans over, wrapping her manicured fingers around the handle, and tries to pull hers off the belt, but the strap gets stuck.

This cute little crease forms between her brows, and I just wanna kiss it right off, but I assumethatwould be crossing some lines, so instead, I lean over her, dislodging the strap and yanking it off.

“Thanks,” she mumbles reluctantly, and that same laugh is climbing up my throat. By the will of god, I keep it tucked away this time too.

Once all of our bags are accounted for, I extend my arm toward the exit. “Where are we off to now?” I truly have no clue because she booked everything, and I just gave her my card to cover it. I told her to pay for her portion, too, as my treat, but of course, she refused.Always so stubborn.

“We have a town car waiting for us outside. It’s an hour and a half drive from here to our resort in Punta Rucia.”

“Ooh, a resort.Fancy,” I murmur. Truth be told, I’m stoked about this trip. I haven’t gone on a real vacation since my senior trip in high school.

I’ve had the money to do it, just never the time with my hockey schedule, and when the season was over, I didn’t have anyone to go with. Most of my friends are married or just have their own lives with such little time for anything else, so it hasn’t happened.

It’s another part of the reason I suggested this wacky-ass idea in the first place. Even if Samara can’t stand me, I’ll have a little time to enjoy a few good naps and some sun while I’m here.

Chapter fifty-three

Samara

We’re finally here, and as nerve-wracking as this whole vacation is, I’m actually kind of excited now that it’s really happening.

My hope is to slip away for a few massages, wake up early to read with the sunrise, and maybe even run off to one of the nearby beaches so I can relax by the water without being seen by my family sans Luca.

“Alright, princess, here we are,” Luca says, dragging me out of my thoughts as he rounds the side of the town car and holds my door open for me.

His bright eyes are striking in the sun, and his lightly bronzed skin is a glowing contrast to his thin white shirt. Luca De Laurentiis isstunning, and as hard as it is to admit to myself, I don’t think I’ll be able to keep my eyes off him.

“You ready?” he asks, worry lacing his tone.

I clear my throat, taking his hand to help me out. “Yeah, I’m ready.”

Once we’ve tipped the driver, we head into the resort and get blasted with the cool AC. It’s such a stark contrast to the humid warmth outside. Goosebumps break out over my skin, and a chill shivers through me.

“Cold?” Luca asks quietly as we approach the front desk.

I shake my head, turning my attention to the woman seated behind the counter. “Checking in?”

I nod. “Yes, for Luca De Laurentiis and Samara Perez-Allen.”

She turns her gaze toward the computer, typing in the information, and when she gets to it, her eyes light up. She smiles brightly at me as she grabs key cards and pamphlets, getting them all together for us, and slides them across the counter. “You’re all set. Enjoy your upgraded suite—on the house—thanks to a last-minute cancellation,” she tells me with dimpled cheeks. “Enjoy your stay at La Rucia, and if you need anything, don’t hesitate to let us know.”

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