CHAPTER TWELVE
AYA
Cuddling the solid warmth against my front, I beat back the soft light that pierced my eyelids. A pulsing drum beat against my eye sockets, and I curled up tighter into a ball. Prickles assaulted my back and legs, and I whimpered as the shock of it flexed my toes. My fingernails dug into hard flesh, my face burrowing to hide from the rays.
I fell… The thought floated up from my depths and caused the side of my head to throb. Memories flickered in my mind’s eye- of Luciano leaving me in this room. Of feeling frustrated at what I had done to him in the gym shower.
Of slipping on shampoo and hitting my head when I hit the floor.
Carefully cracking open one eye, I groaned softly when my headache flared painfully. My palms fought for purchase, trembling and sweaty as my fingertips probed blindly. Slowly pushing myself on weak arms, I ground my teeth together. Panting harsh, little gasps, my dry throat burned from my lungs futile attempts to fill themselves.
“Stop trying to move, Aya.” The deep rumblings were like an earthquake against my hands. Goosebumps rose up my arms, and I blinked hard before the dark blotches in my vision began to sharpen. Knuckles topped in coarse, thick hairs caressed my cheek, and my breath hitched when the voice and words entered my scope of comprehension.
“L- Lucian-n-o…” Slurring slightly, I took a deep, shuddering breath while his touch soothed my frayed nerves. “I f- fell… what-t…?”
Underneath my palms Luciano’s hard muscles flexed, his own cupping my cheek.
“I know. You’re okay, Aya. Just lay back down, now.” His voice was so smooth, so strong, that my arms collapsed. Gentle hands kept my face from slamming into him, and a groan slipped from my lips. Sinking into his tense bulk, I reveled in the smell of him, allowing it to envelope me completely.
Hours slipped by in total silence, total stillness, as my headache slowly lessened. My mind was blank, thinking of nothing but taking my next breath and the pump of my heart. All the while Luciano’s fingertip stroked my jaw, effortlessly moving back and forth in a hypnotizing sway. Compared to his touch the large shirt I wore was coarse and itchy, setting my skin on fire where it’d ridden up under my breasts.
“... You need to eat something.” Jolting me from my torpid state, Luciano’s gruff words yanked me back into consciousness. Big hands wrapped around my shoulders, and he pushed me up to throw his legs over the side of the bed. “Let’s go.”
The familiar carpet between my toes was comforting, and I nibbled on my bottom lip. Luciano watched me with an intensity that bordered on glaring, his hands clenched into tight fists at his side. My knees buckled under my own weight, and I held my arms out before me for balance.
“I’ll carry you.” Hot fingers scorched my hips, and I gasped as he hauled me off the ground. Pulling me to his chest, he held me to his side like one would a toddler. Locking my thighs against his abdominal muscles and back, my legs quivered when he took a step. His entire body rippled with pure power, and tears welled in my eyes at the sense of security that engulfed me.
“Thank you.” Whispering into the lowly lit hallway, my lips trembled as Luciano tensed against me. My forehead touched his shoulder, the muscles stiff and skin taut.
“... I didn’t go through this much fucking trouble just so you could die now.” Grumbling lowly, Luciano grunted before jostling his way down the stairs with heavy, thumping steps. This was probably as close to a ‘you’re welcome’ as he’d ever come, and I wasn’t going to push. Two floors past by quickly, and he tightened his arm around my waist before shouldering his way through a thick door frame.
Luciano didn’t set me down, or even flick on a light, as he strode into the kitchen. Stainless steel glinted in the gray gloom; it was that short time between the moon’s descent and the sun’s rise. Streams of bright, yellow light assaulted my peripheral vision when he flung open the refrigerator, but almost as quickly as it came it was gone.
My heart sped up its rhythm when Luciano dropped hard into a chair, shoving me over to straddle his lap. Face to face, my cheeks flooded with heat as his breath flowed down my skin. Popping open the plastic container, he leaned back and spread his legs wide. The smell of fried chicken blossomed, and my mouth watered while my fingers reached to pluck one out.
Taking a small bite, I bit back a soft groan as flavor erupted against my tongue. The bread crumb coating didn’t slide off or pop up, and I swallowed my piece before Luciano spoke up.
“You always eat such tiny bites, Aya.” His voice was like thunder crackling over the quiet kitchen. My eyes snapped to his face, the intensity blazing from his orbs tightening my throat. There was no expression on his face, but for once his gaze didn’t seem pitch black. The irises were dotted with sparkles, the rings twinkling like a moonless night. They were so cold and haunting. Forcing my gaze away, I took a second bite before I felt the weight of his attention leave me.
“... What’s going to happen to me now?” My question was a mere murmur, and I licked my lips absently as I pulled a cold, limp piece of broccoli out of the container. Luciano didn’t move, his eyes didn’t land on me, and I glanced up to find him staring at the ceiling. In the dark he looked like he belonged; the shadows welcoming him into their folds.
“Now that Georgio’s gone you can leave your room. I’ll be leaving you here while I go with Sylvi to check some of his establishments. We still don’t know why Trevor wanted you or who else was involved with him besides the Russians.” The blood drained from my face, and my heart pounded against my ribs at Luciano’s grumble. Slowly he lifted his head, as if he felt the change, and his expression twisted with distaste. “Unless you want to go to a brothel and three drug warehouses.”
Shaking my head hastily, I had trouble swallowing my bites. Luciano only grunted, letting his head rest against the back of the chair once again.
When I finished eating Luciano left the half empty container on the counter, his hands instead gripping my outer thighs tightly. A gasp flew from my lips as he pushed himself to stand, and I flung my arms around his neck without thinking. The heat of him burned through what little clothes I wore, and after a moment I rested my cheek on his shoulder.
“Go back to sleep. You need it, Aya.” Squeezing through the doorway, Luciano sauntered straight to my bed to set me down. He watched through narrow pupils as I curled up, covering myself with the thick comforter. Beneath the heavy fabric the chill of my room seeped through, nipping at my toes and raising the fine hairs on my back. Goosebumps formed on my skin, and I tightened the ball I’d made myself before closing my eyes.
Deep, even breaths flowed up my nose, and my body was heavy from food and pure exhaustion. I silently counted the seconds, waiting for Luciano’s heavy footfall to bring him away from my bedside.
Whatever grogginess that nibbled at the edge of my consciousness vanished when his breath flowed across my cheek. His lips brushed so softly, so hesitantly, along my skin that I almost didn’t notice. A thin coating of saliva marked his kiss as he pulled back, and a prickling sensation built up at my toes.
“Sonno, adesso. Ritornerò.” Leaving me alone, Luciano shut the door quietly behind him before my brain puttered into action. My eyelids popped open, pupils blowing up while my throat closed. Reaching with a trembling hand, I touched the spot his lips had just been. The skin was hot, damp, and I shuddered as three little words circled my mind relentlessly.
Luciano kissed me.