Page 78 of Racing Hearts
“You guys ready or just going to keep flirting over there?” Edward yelled, pointing to where we were meant to start the race.
He blew the whistle, and we shot off into the distance like bolts of lightning. Luca’s warm breath danced across my neck, sending shivers down my spine. His lips were dangerously close to my skin, leaving a trail of incredibly soft kisses along my neck, making it almost impossible to focus on the water ahead.
Bastard was having way too much fun with this, I concluded.
Grinding my hips back against him was not the most responsible move as the person driving a jet ski at high speeds, but I couldn’t help myself. His breath hitched and a low groan spilled from his lips, curling around the edges of my ear like a dare. I felt his hands slide lower, fingers ghosting just under the edge of my life jacket, stopping just short of where I was burning.
As I tried to focus on the last lap, I heard Luca whisper, “Now, now,amore, what’s got you so distracted?”
“Maybe it’s a certain someone behind me who can’t keep his hands to himself,” I shouted back over the roar of the engine and wind. I gripped the handlebar and tried to block out Luca’s teasing fingers, his soft touch.
Before he could answer, Henri and Lily rocketed past us, water spraying in our wake.
“Looks like we know who the fastest Dubois on the water is!” Henri’s voice boomed over the hum of jet skis, his gloating unmistakable even over the sound of the water. Henri was as much of a sore winner as he was a loser.
“He’s going to be insufferable about this,” I groaned.
“Well, then you should have been paying more attention,” Luca whispered into my ear, and I elbowed his side. The vibration of our jet ski slowed to a purr, and moments later, we pulled up next to the boat that had been our home for the week.
“Alright, I think that’s enough racing for me today. Lily, can I interest you in a glass of wine?”
Henri threw his head back in a loud, playful laugh. “Avoiding the rematch, Peaches?”
“More like saving myself from your inevitable sulk when you lose.”
And, more importantly, my sanity from my brother’s persistence.
“Actually, Georgia, I have something for you. Give me a moment.” While Luca disappeared, Lily and I made our way to the front of the boat, settling into the tanning chairs that had been laid out for us.
Five minutes later, Luca emerged from the lower cabins.
“Got you a little something,” Luca preened as he walked over to where Lily and I were tanning, a bright blue gift bag looped through his arm and a smoothie in each hand.
“Oh?” I made grabby hands at the bag, and Luca dropped it at my feet.
Tearing through the tissue paper, I froze. Inside was a travel-sized watercolor set bursting with vibrant pigments, a sleek leather-bound sketchpad, and a petite wooden easel.
“Wh-what’s this?” I asked, flipping through the empty pages of the sketchpad.
“I noticed you left your paints at home, so I asked Edward to pick up some supplies before he left. Painting relaxes you, and I want you to be as relaxed as possible on this trip because you deserve a break. Plus, you can’t get a better backdrop than this!”
Luca wasn’t wrong. The colors of the ocean and the sky blended seamlessly, creating a landscape that begged to be captured on canvas.
“Luca… I—um, I don’t know what to say,” I stammered. “Just…Wow. Thank you. These are incredible.”
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes as I looked up at him, speechless with gratitude. My heart felt like it was melting in the best way. While packing, I’d forgotten to throw in my art supplies, and I didn’t want to burden Luca or his parents by asking to pick some up before embarking.
Luca had a knack for picking up on the little details, such as my silly window-washing dance or my nervous ticks before an interview, that no one else seemed to notice.
“You even got my favorite brand of paints!”
Luca shrugged, bashful. “I may have gone snooping in your condo when I was with you in Monaco,” he laughed, putting his hands up innocently. “Had to make sure you didn’t have anyrealskeletons in your closet.”
I playfully swatted his arm, unable to keep the grin off my face. “Well, I’ll let your snooping slide this time, if only because I did the same last week.” My cheek found its place against his chest, my arms now wrapped around his waist, and I let myself savor the quiet thrum of his heartbeat beneath my ear.
He tilted his head to kiss my forehead and whispered against my hair, “Maybe later you can paint me like one of your French girls.”
“In your dreams, Rossi.” I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t hide the satisfied smile that crept onto my face as I looked up at him.
