Page 30 of Weaponized

I giggle at this. “I mean, spending naked time with you is kinda fun.”

His smile is wide. “Definitely a fan of naked time.” He looks up at the ceiling. “Of course, when we’re not alone, could I talk you into turtlenecks and snow pants?”

I shake my head at his teasing, and he continues, “You’d look good in that too. So, never mind.”

“Awwwww. You’re really sweet when you want to be, you know that?”

He blushes a little. I can’t believe after what we just did that this is what makes him embarrassed. “I have a feeling that no one is going to look at me while I’m next to you,” I tell him. Any other guy would be crazy to piss him off. His glare alone is terrifying.

He sighs loudly. “If only that were true.”

I shift so my head is on his big shoulder and my leg is thrown over his body. “Mmmmm. I guess a little more naked time would be okay with me.”

He laughs and then taps my rear. “Now you’re talking.”

I snuggle into him and manage to fall asleep. At some point, Luca wakes me.

“Angel. Hey.” He shakes me a little.

I groan and shift to get more comfortable against him.

“Beautiful. You up?”

I sigh. “Mmmmphhhh.”

“It’s after midnight. I should go home.”

“Youshouldcarry me to my bed and go back to sleep,” I grouse.

“You want me to stay the night?” I am not sure why he sounds so surprised at this.

Geez. I want him to move in, but I know that’s stupid and likely a thought fueled by my prior orgasm because it’s definitely not part of the playbook. A playbook I promise myself I’ll think about tomorrow. Instead, I just nod against his chest and cuddle into his warmth. Luca jumps up, and I’m shuffled on the couch. I groan my protest while he kicks off the shorts that were still around his ankles. I peer at him through half-open eyes. He is entirely naked, and a naked Luca Larozzi is a glorious sight. So built. So much bulk. So male.

I’m not sure if he notices my appreciative looks because he dips to the couch and scoops me up bridal style, without any fuss. I’m still just wearing my thong, but I refuse to worry about that now.

“Which room is your bedroom?”

I yawn. Damn. “End of the hall.”

He takes big steps down the hallway, and soon, I’m deposited gently onto my bed, covers pulled over my mostly naked body. I reach up for him, and he leans into my touch to give me a gentle kiss.Then, he moves around to the other side of the bed and climbs in.

“Is your alarm set for your Monday morning class?” He’s taking care of me. I don’t remember anyone ever doing this. It scares me how much I like it.

I nod. “Seven a.m.”

He seems to accept this. “Come here to me.” He opens his right arm for me to snuggle under.

I don’t have to move far to get to him. He takes up most of my queen-sized mattress. I place my head back on his broad chest, arm around his waist. My leg holds down his muscular thigh.

“Sleep, Angel.”

And, I do.

Gráinne

I start to form a pattern. I hang out with Elizabeth at lunch, and get to know Taryn (not Tanya!) more. In fact, she is currently emptying my dishwasher, having stopped by to drop off a St. A’s sweatshirt that her roommate bought her. Apparently, it’s a duplicate for her, and since I mentioned not having any college swag at brunch, the university fleece is now destined to be mine.

“I was just about to do that,” I explain, which is why the appliance was wide open when she arrived. I’m still not used to having friends who just drop by. Especially not ones who walk in and start doing housework. Heck, who am I kidding? I’m not used to having friends, period.