I woke up the next morning cuddling one of the pillows that separated Luca and I, the other pillow having disappeared under the sheets.When my eyes opened to see him lying next to me, I couldn't help but stare for a few moments. Hands and arms tucked under his pillow, Luca laid on his stomach with his head turned towards me. His olive skin was a stark contrast against the pure white color of the sheets and his dark hair stood out even more so.Luca's facial hair had grown out a bit since I'd met him a few days prior. It added to his masculine aura and I decided that I liked it.After laying there for a few moments, knowing I wouldn't fall back asleep, I sat up in the bed slowly before getting up to walk quietly across the bedroom floor. It was still early in the morning, the room cast with blue hues of the twilight.I closed the door behind me softly and walked into the kitchen to make tea.Barely catching the kettle before it began to whistle, I had nearly dozed off standing at the
I was regretting my decision to meet with Fallon as soon as I stepped outside in my gym shorts. Chill bumps immediately covered my body and I held my arms close to my chest as I walked towards the driveway.Deciding that I needed to warm up, I walked past the truck and the Jeep and continued my brisk stroll up the driveway towards the gate. The gate opened as it sensed me walking towards it, closing behind me as I stood in the street.Lifting my left arm, I tapped against my watch to start recording a run and began to jog down the road.As my feet hit the ground with each step, I was reminded how badly I needed new running shoes. A shin splint was sure to arrive the next day.Breathing in the cold morning air made my lungs squeeze in my chest and I found it more difficult to get air out and in. By the time I reached the bottom of the hill, I found myself hunched over and panting like I'd already run a marathon.I looked at my watch.0.63 miles.Kill me now.I was at least two more mil
The hot shower I took when I returned to Luca's house wasn't enough to soothe my aching body. My muscles and joints were screaming at me. The webbed skin in between my fingers was rubbed raw by the gloves I had worn Good luck trying to hold a paint brush for the next few days, I told myself.I knew that I wouldn't be able to lift my arms over my head for a week. But, despite the major soreness and discomfort, I felt satisfied. I had done something for myself and it felt rewarding.It was this feeling of accomplishment that drove me to the kitchen for lunch instead of Luca's bed for a nap. I cut up strips of chicken breast and sautéed them in a frying pan, then I moved on to cutting up a head of lettuce for my salad.When I sat down at the countertop after pouring the dressing over the chicken and caesar salad that I had prepared, I heard a door open and turned to see Luca strolling in."Did you make lunch?" He asked, nose in the air.I dropped the fork in my hand back down into the bo
Waking up wasn't as easy as falling asleep. I laid there for several minutes before finally sitting up, an action I regretted instantly.My back was so stiff. My shoulders felt like they were locked in place and my legs were shaking as I tried to stand up from the bed.God, I hate Fallon, I thought.The stiffness subsided slightly as I walked through the house, eventually wandering outside where I could hear someone talking.I stood under the breezeway, watching Luca as he paced the driveway while he talked on the phone.As soon as he saw me, he winked.I smiled awkwardly before Luca ended the call and approached me."I was just about to go see Lincoln, if you'd like to come," he offered."Sure."After grabbing my shoes, I followed him to the truck, where he opened the passenger door for me to climb in. I tried not to wince as I lifted myself into the cab of the truck, my legs burning as I did so.I hate Fallon, I thought again."How was your nap?" Luca asked."Not long enough."I hea
I could see the sky behind the mountains in the distance as it transitioned to darker shades, reminding me of how long I'd been sitting there. I think it's time to stop wallowing in self-pity, I told myself.Deciding I would make dinner, I stood from the couch, catching a glimpse of the pool in the backyard as I did so.A swim would feel so nice right now...Forgoing dinner, I went to retrieve my bikini from my suitcase. I changed and wandered downstairs where Luca had mentioned the pool access was.On the lower level were two empty bedrooms, two accompanying bathrooms, and a large bonus room in between the two bedrooms that boasted a TV the size of a small vehicle. Surrounding the TV was a large sectional sofa and several pieces of sports memorabilia. Hockey sticks, shadow boxes full of jerseys and pucks, and shelves lined with trophies were hung on the wall.Along the far wall was a large window that had a sliding door to get outside into the backyard. I slid the door open to be met
He came to walk alongside me as I hugged myself, shivering."Your tits look great in that bikini top, by the way."My jaw dropped in shock of his blunt statement.Watching him laugh, I reached out and shoved him as hard as I could, clearly taking him off guard as he toppled over into the pool.Luca was glaring at me as he surfaced and swam back to the edge.Now it was my turn to laugh.I didn't have enough time to run before Luca's cold, wet arm was wrapped around my torso and lifted me into the air. He chucked me into pool, but I had enough of a grip on his arm that he followed in behind me.The difference in the water temperature between the pool and hot tub had me gasping for air when I swam back up to the surface."Jackass," I quipped, despite trying not to laugh.Luca laughed and ran a hand through his hair, shaking the water from it."All jokes aside," he said."I was serious about your tits.""Stop talking about my tits.""Why? They're nice tits."I swam up to him, put one hand
Luca never came back to bed that night.I laid there, staring at the ceiling, until the glow of the early morning began to fill the bedroom. When I went into the kitchen to make my tea, I was shocked to see Luca sitting at the counter with a coffee cup to his lips.I never heard him come back inside."Is everything okay?" I asked.Luca's eyebrows knit together."Yes?" He answered, even though it sounded like more of a question."You left in the middle of the night," I told him, feeling the need to explain my concern."Oh, I went for a run," he said casually, taking another sip of coffee."You left the door open.."Did I?" Luca asked."I may not have shut it well.""You left your clothes strewn all over the floor," I reminded him."I guess I'm not used to living with someone who sees my mess. You didn't have to clean up behind me."Luca's attention returned to his coffee cup."Are you sure everything's okay?" I asked him.He looked up from his mug and smiled slightly."I'm fine."Despi
I could be one stubborn bitch--but, apparently, so could Luca. After packing all my things back into my suitcase and duffle bag, moved myself back upstairs to the spare bedroom next to the loft. I had decided that it was probably best to sleep separately since we now had to wait four weeks to have sex.During the four days after our argument, I didn't see Luca once. He was gone when I woke and when I went to sleep.The only evidence he'd been in the house were the dishes he'd leave in the sink after he drank his morning coffee or ate a late dinner. I begrudgingly washed them along with mine.Otherwise, my routine stayed consistent.I met with Fallon in the mornings, made myself lunch after showering, and painted or read during the afternoons. I was miserable and completely bored out of my mind. All I could do was think, think, and then think some more.The only thing on my mind for those four days was Luca; how much his stubbornness annoyed me, how much I couldn't stand him for causin