Chapter 15
After dinner, they moved to the couch with two glasses of red wine. Lucas put on Willow Cove and pulled Ella close. He kissed the top of her head, the sweet fruity scent of her hair invading his senses.
He wanted to toss her over his shoulder, bring her up to his bedroom, and explore every inch of her body with his hands and mouth, but he also didn’t want her to think that was the only reason he asked her over.
The truth was, he liked kissing her—hell, he loved it—but he also loved simply spending time with her. She was a breath of fresh air from the smoke in his mind, a shining ray of sunlight that he wanted to bask in for as long as he could before their time together ran out.
“I can’t believe you haven’t seen this movie,” she said.
“Is it that great?”
“Depends on your definition of great, but it has a massive cult following, so take that as you see fit. Personally, I think it’s the city people who watch it and fall in love with the concept of a small town, like when I watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s or West Side Story and fall in love with the idea of city life.”
“Have you ever thought about moving to a city?” he asked, wondering what she would think of his place in L.A.… if she’d ever consider visiting him.
“More when I was younger and wanted to see the world.”
“And now?”
“It seems rather lonely to me. I’d be somewhere surrounded by people, but my family wouldn’t be there. My friends. The people I’m used to seeing every day. I think I’d miss them too much.”
“I hope they all realize how lucky they are to have you in their lives.”
“They do, I’m sure. But I’m lucky to have them too.” She was quiet for a moment then turned her head, catching his gaze. “What about you? Since you don’t talk to your parents anymore and Joe lives here so far away from you.”
“I still talk to my mom, even though I usually hang up with a headache. And I have my two roommates from college. Leo.”
She smiled. “The chef?”
“Yes, Leo the chef, and Brian the frat boy who never grew up, but he’s smart as hell. They’re more like family to me than my own. They’re also my business partners. Can’t seem to get rid of them.” He laughed, but the truth was, he had no idea where he would be without them. They kept him upright on days when his world felt like it was falling off kilter. Between Brian with his quick wit and ability to turn any situation into a party and Leo with his laidback, fun-loving ways and master cooking skills, they managed to get Lucas through the hardest time in his life.
They didn’t need to be blood to be family. No matter what they would be there for him just as he would always be there for them. It was a silent oath they had and he would honor it until his dying day.
“I’m happy to hear you’re not alone out there,” Ella said and her words were like a warm embrace. To think that she cared enough about him to hope he wasn’t living life alone…
“I’m not,” he said. “But it can still get lonely.”
She looked at him then, dark eyes full of understanding. “I know exactly what you mean.”
He didn’t care about the movie anymore or about Ella thinking that he only wanted one thing from her. The way she was looking at him, all he cared about was her and making her know he never wanted her to be lonely again.
He cupped her face, running his thumb across the apple of her cheek, loving the soft feel of her skin beneath him.
“I thought we were watching the movie.”
“The only thing I want to watch is you,” he said just before leaning in and kissing her.
She smiled against his mouth, but when he tilted her head and deepened the kiss, her lips moved to keep up with his demand.
Her hands moved to his face, and she kicked her legs over him, rubbing against his sex. He growled against her mouth as her hips rocked against him and her fingers tangled in his hair.
He had her on the beach, and it was amazing, but she deserved better and a couch wasn’t it. So without warning, he stood, gripping her ass with his hands and holding her tight. She let out a squeal and secured her arms around his neck.
“I want you in my bed,” he said, carrying her to the stairs and taking them as quickly as possible.
He followed the hallway to where he was staying and laid her against the mattress. He pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it behind him. Ella stripped out of her top, and he watched as she unsnapped her bra, holding it out to the side with one hand while the other stretched across her body, covering her up.
The strap dangled from her finger, and her teeth slid over her lip as the bra fell to the floor. He dove on top of her, and she let out a surprised laugh that was like liquid ecstasy to his ears. It was a sound he wanted to hear again and again.
He looked down at her, brushing her long hair from her face. “I don’t know how I’m going to leave you.”
She smiled, but it didn’t quite touch her eyes. Her finger lifted, tracing the curve of his face before her hand rest against his jaw. He turned his head pressing a kiss to her palm.
“Let’s not talk about that,” she said. “Just be with me now.”
***
Lucas ran his finger up and down Ella’s arm, loving how perfectly she felt against him. He never wanted to leave this room or her. He wasn’t lying when he said he didn’t know how he was going to leave her. The thought made him almost sick to his stomach.
His whole life he’d been searching to feel something as real as this, and they had every obstacle working against them.
He looked down at her and she glanced up at him with a smile. Emotion tugged at his insides, a deep-seated realization coming to fruition. He was in love with her.
Completely and hopelessly in love.
“That was amazing,” she said. “You weren’t kidding about me needing my energy.”
“Then I think you need to refuel, because I’m nowhere finished with you yet.”
“No food, but maybe some water would be good.”
“You want water?” he asked, and her face lit up as she nodded. He laughed. “I’ll go get you some water.
He pushed up out of bed and watched as she cuddled up into the blankets. “Do you have a bigger bed in California?” she asked.
“I do.”
“Mmm… the things we’d be able to do in it,” she said on a satisfied yawn.
Desire shot through him and he hardened at her words.
“You’re killing me.”
She answered with a sleepy whimper as her eyes slid shut. He pulled on a pair of sweats and headed downstairs, the entire time envisioning Ella at home with him in California, sprawled out in his bed, dark brown hair fanned out around her.
He was about to turn toward the kitchen when he heard the sound of the front door. His eyes darted to the clock on the wall. It was the middle of the night, and his grandfather wasn’t supposed to be home until late morning.
If Joe knew he brought a Moretti into the house…
Lucas took a deep breath. He wasn’t only an adult, but he was a level-headed person who could figure this out. Joe would no doubt be tired. He’d go to bed and then Lucas could sneak Ella outside as long as Joe hadn’t already seen her bike.
He made his way to the front door and froze.
Standing in the foyer was the last person Lucas ever wanted to see again.
His father.