Page 72 of Hard Lessons

“It’s my money.” She shrugged. “Why wouldn’t it?”

“You’re either ballsy or stupid.” He picked up another wad. “I can’t decide which... but fuck... we’re rich.”

She grinned. “Yeah,weare.” It was good to sayweagain. Because that’s what they were. Far from the perfect couple, but still... a couple. They’d see life through at each other’s side. It was the way it was for them.

Suddenly she was in his arms and hoisted into the air. He spun her around and whooped.

“Hey.” She laughed and rested her hands on his shoulders. There was a real danger her head would knock the chintzy fabric light shade. “Put me down.”

“No. I’m high. So are you. This is... I can’t believe you did that. I thought you’d blown the lot.”

“That’s not the way I was brought up. I’m a good girl, sensible with money, even if it is cash from a dodgy politician passing bills to line his own pocket.”

He laughed again, the skin around his eyes creasing. “I’m not sure about you being a good girl.”

Serena giggled; seeing him happy, knowing she’d done that, filled her with love.

He dropped her down to the floor and cupped her face. His expression turned soft. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

“And now...”

“And now...?”

He sucked in a breath then his lips were over hers.

She fell against him, lost to his kiss. Their tongues stroked together and he held her close—as if he’d never let her go, as though the rest of the world had faded into the distance. Only they existed.

Chapter Fifteen

Eventually he pulledback.

“Luca.” She ran her hands over his hair, pushing it from his handsome face. “We need to talk.”

“No, I need to fuck you.”

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