I hit the ground with a loud thud and the pain in my left arm spread through my now aching body. My eyes narrowed as I looked over at Luca who looked at me as if I were a wounded bird who couldn't fly.
"Don't give me that look."
He shrugged, putting the long wooden rod he had used to trip me on the ground next to him.
I rolled over onto my back, "I'll get better."
"Really?" The disbelief in his voice stung, "We've been at this for a week and you still haven't gotten the hang of anything."
He's right. I've been training with him after school every single day and nothing has changed, I'm just as terrible as I was at the beginning, in fact, I think I might just be getting worse. Luca and Christian were supposed to help me train but Luca has been the only one to show his face while Christian is doing who knows what. We still haven't spoken and I hate to admit how upset it's made me.
"I'll get there, I just have to keep training." I attempted to get up but my body wouldn't allow it.
Luca sighed, "You've got moxie, I'll give you that." He said as he sat next to me and placed his hand on my upper thigh.
I couldn't stop the sudden burst of butterflies that erupted from within me the minute I felt the warmth of his hand through the fabric of my pants. I tried to steady my breathing but I knew there was no way to do that with his hand so close to my...
"What are you thinking about?" His voice pulled me out of deep thought.
"You." My voice was just below a whisper.
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, "I'm glad to know that I occupy a space in your mind."
I bit down on my bottom lip to prevent myself from smiling, "Don't get too cocky, the cheesecake we had last night at the dining hall is on my mind too."
He chuckled lightly, jokingly rolling his eyes, "Who's winning up there?" Luca raised a suggestive brow, "Me or the cheesecake?"
A tight-lipped smile formed on my face, "The cheesecake, definitely the cheesecake."
Luca grinned, "It was definitely a worthy opponent." He looked down at me, the grin on his face softened into a smile, "You're a badass you know that."
I furrowed my brows, "I am?" I wanted to laugh at his statement but I knew that if I did it would hurt like hell.
"You are."
I scoffed, "I thought you said I was getting worse."
He shook his head, "No, I said that you haven't gotten the hang of anything."
"And that makes me a badass, how?" I raised a brow, usually, badasses have the general capability to kick butt and do all these cool and awesome things and as far as I know, I've done none of that.
Luca smirked, tucking a strand of loose hair behind my ear, "Because you don't give up, you put your all into what you believe in and I think that's pretty badass."
Before I could say anything I gestured for him to help me sit up so that we could be face to face, I didn't even mind how sore my body had suddenly become, all I wanted was to be closer to him.
I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, lingering for as long as I could not wanting my lips to separate from his skin. His scent was strong and intoxicating, it took everything in me to not move toward his lips.
"Thanks, Luca," I whispered into his ear before resting my head on the crook of his shoulder.
The moment was quickly ruined the minute I heard my phone go off. Time to see Katherine and Daphne who were in charge of helping me harness my inner Seraph or whatever that means.
