Luca (I Love the Way You Lie #1) (7 page)

“The world’s gonna judge you no matter what you do. So live your life the way you fucking want to.” I stood, grabbing my smokes out of my pocket.

“Language, Mr. DeLuca.” He turned, wagging his finger like I was some petulant child.

“Listen, snow cone…I live by my own set of rules. I show up and participate—period. I do what’s required. End of story.” I directed my next statement to Sven. “Axel Rose…you…me outside. Now.”

He nodded smugly.
Fucking poser.
Allie turned white
,
but I left the room without looking back. Sven followed, like I knew he would. That’s for fuck sure. I lit the cigarette just outside the door as I left.

“Hey, there’s no smoking in the building,” Nurse Richards yelled. She was a middle-aged divorcee. Fake blond bobbed hair with brown eyes and false eyelashes that had no business being on her. MILF, she was not. I guess someone forgot to tell her.

I laughed. “Listen, tattle-tits. Go report me, you fucking narc. See where it gets you,” I said and she gasped. She didn’t deserve my acknowledgment so I continued walking to the door. My uncle ran this shit-hole, and there was no love loss there. However, my old man basically owned this place. It would make it all the sweeter watching my uncle squirm. He feared my old man. My father would pull his money faster than a five-dollar lap-dance, and he could kiss his cushy-ass job goodbye. The board’s been looking for a reason to replace my uncle. My old man all but bought his cozy director title. I’d remind him—no problem.

~~~

Before flicking my cigarette across the pavement, the steel door slammed. I didn’t have to look. I knew it was Sven. The stink of his cologne was already assaulting me before he came into view.

“What’s your fucking issue, man?” His arrogant tone did nothing to quell my desire to punch his face in.

I stepped forward so there would be no mistaking how serious my next statement was. “I want you to stay the fuck away from Allison.”

“And if I don’t? You gonna go all pyro on me? Kick my ass?”

I took a deep breath. “Let’s just say I’m asking you nicely this time. There won’t be a next time.”

“Whatcha gonna do, run to your old man? Get someone to break my fucking legs? I know who you are…who your old man is. Guess what? I don’t give a fuck. I don’t take kindly to someone telling me who I can or can’t talk to. No one gets between me and pussy.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

I nodded, stepping closer. Nose to nose. Challenged accepted. “You’ve been warned, Axel Rose.”

We didn’t even realize Security Joe had walked up. “Everything okay, gentlemen?”

“Yep,” we both responded.

“Just having a smoke and shit,” I answered without breaking eye contact with Sven. He stood his ground as well.

Sven stepped back, addressing Security Joe. “I quit smoking. I’m just here for the ‘and shit’ part.”

Joe nodded knowingly. “I suggest you get to where you need to be.”

Sven nodded and walked away. “Later.”

“Yeah, much,” I spat out, pausing a minute to light another cigarette.

“You know those are going to kill you, Luca.”

I inhaled deeply blowing the smoke in his direction. “Yeah, whatever doesn’t kill ya, right?”

He shook his head and walked away. No doubt heading to my uncle’s office.
Whatever. Another fucking narc.
It took me a minute to shake myself from my thoughts. I blinked a few times before hearing her sweet voice.

“Luca?” She shook my arm. “Are you okay? What going on with you?”

“Why? Are you worried about me, fancy-face?” I smiled, grabbing her flannel pant pocket to bring her closer. I’ve been fantasizing about nuzzling her neck for the last forty-five minutes.

“No, it just got super weird in there,” she said.

I inhaled her sweet vanilla scent.
Body wash or perfume?
I wondered. Whatever it was, I’d buy her a case.

The skin on her neck prickled. “Luca? What the fuck?” She looked around, trying her hardest to pull away.

I held her firmly in place until I had my fix. “You smell good enough to eat.”
Fuck why did I have to meet her here? Of all fucking places. I’d give my left nut to be somewhere with a bed—alone.
I thought. “You want to know what I want?”

“Yes.”

I tilted her chin up. My other hand firm on her hip. “I want to taste your world. I want your lips on mine. And I want to pleasure you…anywhere you want me to,” I growled. There would be no room for mistaking my intent. Her brows furrowed in confusion, but the heat from her body told me all I needed to know.

I grabbed the back of her neck loosely at first and just kissed her so deep she forgot whose air she was breathing. Her lips were warm and wet. I ran my fingers through her hair, deepening the kiss.
I need to get closer
, I thought. She acquiesced, opening fully for me. I took full advantage of that subtle invite. A
not
so subtle moan escaped her as I nibbled on her bottom lip and then traced kisses across her cheek, down the column of her neck, and finally to my
now
favorite spot—behind her ear. I rained tiny wet kisses across her pebbled skin. She shivered and I nearly came in my pants. My tongue needed to be buried deep within her. “Tell me what you want,” I asked, continuing with my nibbling along her shoulder.

“I…I…can’t.”

I closed my eyes, pained by her denial. “I’ll wait.” I broke the spell, looking into her hooded eyes.

“You confuse me.” She finally blinked and pulled away; I let her. “I’ve got to get back.” She thumbed toward the door of the building.

I decided to give her something to think about. “Truth?”

Her eyebrows creased. “Always.”

“Do you want to know my real name?”

“Luca’s not your real name?” she asked.

I shook my head no. “My real name is…you won’t tell anyone will you? I’m trusting you…just between us.”

She nodded swiftly. “Of course, you can trust me,” she said, grabbing my forearm in confirmation.

I bent down to her ear letting my warm breath pucker her skin once more. She moved in and listened intently. “L. Ron. Hubbard.”

She laughed and hit my chest. I mean, really laughed till tears ran down her face. That made me happy. I decided then and there I’d do anything to hear that sound again.

“You’re such a jackass. I love it.” She continued to laugh after waving goodbye.

It was 10:22 am, and if the day continued like this…I’d take it.
Well, minus the poser Sven
.

I don’t think I’d ever get used to the janitorial smell of this facility.
Gross.
I licked my lips reverently, remembering how he owned them just minutes ago. They felt swollen. I ducked into the bathroom to splash some water on my fevered face. A smile danced across my face. A genuine smile.
When was the last time I really smiled?
I thought.
Fucking L. Ron Hubbard.

I chuckled and swiped some clear lip-gloss across my bruised lips. I traced the column of my neck in thought as my body craved more of what he had…what he gave. I wondered what it would be like naked. Bared to him. Helpless against him as his kisses left my flesh burning. He took his time kissing me…tasting me.
Good god,
I thought. This was in the middle of the morning. Imagine what it would be like to be alone with him—really alone. Shaking myself out of the daydream that five minutes ago was my reality, I recovered my lip-gloss and left the bathroom.

My stomach filled with butterflies I reclaimed my seat.

“Everything okay?” Oliver’s suspicious vibrato rang. Oddly, I felt guilt—shame. I had nothing to be ashamed of.
Yeah, tell my fucked up mind that.

I turned, half-smiling. “Completely, I just needed to go to the bathroom,” I lied.

Keri leaned forward past Ollie. “Why didn’t you ask me to come with?” she whispered a bit too loudly.

“Shhh, will you?” I shook my head in annoyance. Go figure, I had to be stuck with an idiot with no social skills.
Maybe that’s why she did all those drugs,
I thought. Made sense.

My shushing got bitchy Sarah’s attention. “Why didn’t you ask me to come with?” she snottily asked, motioning to the window as Luca walked by. I flipped her off and Keri chuckled. Oliver’s ramrod posture told me he noticed Sarah’s not so subtle innuendo.
Fuck, when was this group going to end?

I directed my attention back to Mr. Stevenson. I wanted to make a good impression and get the hell out of here after my six weeks were up. Their mantra is: resolve problematic behaviors, beliefs, feelings, and relationship issues. My parents subscribed to their version of being the healthiest version of yourself and living the best life possible—no matter what challenges you may be facing. However, they had no clue of my challenges. My mom thought prayer would help me change my self-destructive behaviors and habits. She hadn’t a clue of the pain and torment that plagued my everyday existence. She chalked it up to a bad case of teenage rebellion.

Mr. Stevenson stepped up to the chalkboard. “Tomorrow’s topic—personal control.” He scrawled across the board, underlining it. “I suggest you think long and hard about this subject. Come prepared to work. We will be pairing off in groups of two. See you tomorrow.”

The dismissal was swift, everyone charging the door at once. Not a fan of mass exodus, I hung back. I opened my cross-body bag, neatly placing a piece of paper I was doodling on within.

“Hey, want to grab some coffee?” Oliver’s tone was deep and low. I couldn’t help but smile up at him. He was strikingly handsome even in faded jeans and an old tee shirt. He wore two brown, braided leather bracelets on his right wrist. Silver ones on his left. Normally, I didn’t find jewelry on a man attractive. But, with his Viking looks and rocker vibe, he pulled it off flawlessly. My fingers twitch not to brush a golden lock from his eye.

As if reading my mind, a slow smile crossed his lips. “Allison, if you keep looking at me like that…coffee will be the last thing I’m asking you for. I’m trying to be a gentleman here. But you’re fucking killing me,” he growled, licking his bottom lip.

As flattered as I was, it felt all wrong. I didn’t want to lead him on. My blood pressure spiked thinking about Luca and what he’d do if he saw me with Oliver. “So, sorry but I have a lot on my mind. Rain-check?”

He winked teasingly. “Abso-fuckin-lutely. Come find me when I’m on your mind.” He placed a kiss on the palm of my hand and then left.

“Ahem, what’s up?” Keri asked in a concerned tone. “Want to talk it out?”

“Thanks, but no. I’m heading to
Just Jane’s
office.

Her head tilted. “Who?”

“Forget it. Inside joke. Let’s meet up later, ‘kay?” I smiled, feeling a little guilty. It’s not her fault she’s socially inept and annoying. I decided to try harder—be friendly.

She nodded, leaving me alone in the room. I decided to take the long way to
Just Jane’s
office. Three and a half hallways and a dozen Overstock.com
Monet replicas
later…I gathered my thoughts before knocking.

A noise from the adjacent stairwell halted me. Curious enough to walk over, I peered into the square, dirty glass. The door creaked as I opened it slowly. I knew this was very much the setup that irritated me in horror flicks.
Don’t open the door imbecile
, I’d scream. The stairs were surrounded in drywall. One particular section of the wall was colored differently—white.
Must be repairing
, I thought. I inched closer to the staircase. The door closed forcefully. The sound pervaded the empty air. Something about it put me ill at ease. So, what did I do? I decided to walk up the stairs.

The flickering sound of a lighter echoed in the emptiness of the stairwell. My ears perked up. My pulse—raced. A warming sensation came over me. My legs seemed to move on their own.
Luca
. It never entered my mind to run. Despite my hellish past experience, I could hear him settling down somewhere up ahead and my mind fixated on
that
image. I was completely helpless to his call—the lighter. A beacon. At one time an annoyance, now it sounded like home. I treaded up the stairs one at a time. One flight. Two flights. In the dark corner, he sat—legs wide and bent at the knee, lighter in hand.