Page 32 of Hard Lessons

He chuckled. “We have no need for a restaurant. In fact we have no need of other people, full stop.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean you might as well consider us to be the only people on the planet from now on. There’s no one going to rescue you from what needs to happen.”

“Which is?”

“Oh, I think you know.” He paused. “And if you don’t, then you really aren’t as smart as I thought you were.”

Shit, he’s going to kill me.

She pressed her lips together and stared at the back of his head.

The car veered to the left and he pulled into a small hedge-lined lane. After a few moments he tucked the vehicle into a gateway to a field. “This will do us.”

“For what?”

“Food and a piss.”

Thank God. No mention of murder.

He killed the engine then stepped out of the car.

He stood tall, then lifted his arms high and did a full body stretch. His black t-shirt rode up at the front, exposing the dark line of body hair running from his navel to his waistband.

Serena swallowed, hating the fact that her mouth watered at the memories of running her tongue over that section of his flesh.

“Ah, this is good, the sky without bars.” He held his face up and closed his eyes. He breathed deep, the material of his t-shirt stretching over his wide chest.

A stab of guilt poked at her heart. Being locked up had clearly been an ordeal for Luca and she’d left him to his misery.

“And now for food.” He dropped his arms to his sides and marched to the trunk. He popped it open. “Oh, you have fancy fucking luggage, Serena.”

“Don’t touch it.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s new, and it’s mine.”

And it’s lined with cash.

“Let’s hope you’ve packed warm clothes, I hear even in summer the Scottish weather can bite.” He reappeared munching on a pork pie.

She huffed. Never had she wanted to go to Scotland less.

He finished what he was eating then opened her door and held out a cheese salad sandwich. “Eat.”

“I don’t want to.”

“I don’t care. Eat now, while you have the chance.” He cupped her chin, his fingertips tight. “That’s one of the first things you learn in prison.”

“And you’ve made me your prisoner, right?” She glared at him.

“You’ve been mine since the day we met.” He dropped his face closer to hers. “And that’s never changed, it never will.”

“That’s what you think, Luca.”

“That’s what I know. It’s a fact.” His lips were so close to hers that if he tipped forward an inch they’d kiss. “And if you wish to consider yourself a prisoner, go ahead, but I prefer to call it...”

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