The Moon And The Stars

CHAPTER 17

I wake up to find someone combing their fingers through my hair. I keep my eyes closed as I once again assess my situation, when suddenly my mind remembers last night.

I came into Luca's room because I was scared I was going to do something I'd regret and he took me in without question...

I open my eyes to find myself lying against his body with my head on his chest. One arm is wrapped around me securely, whilst the other plays with my hair.

I look up at him and he gives me a comforting smile. He rests his chin on my head and I close my eyes again, a comfortable silence falling between us.

"I still didn't want to marry you," I blurt out, feeling the need to push him away.

He chuckles and rests a hand on the back of my head, "I know sweetheart,"

My stomach flips as he calls me sweetheart and I curse myself for folding at his words.

"Remember we have our weekly family dinner tonight," Luca says again, "Mum's made it clear that it's non-negotiable and we have to be there,"

"Family dinner?" I say, confused

"Yep. Each week we have a family dinner plus Carlos. And now that you're a De Santis, you have to come along," he states in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Carlos joins too?" I ask, finding it sweet that he's also invited.

"Yeah he's basically our family. His parents disowned him due to some personal things so Mum and Dad sort of adopted him," Luca tells me,

"That's nice," I murmur,

He hums in response, "Tonight it's at Mum and Dad's house, which is a fifteen minute drive so we'll leave at 6:45,"

"Wow you've got everything planned out haven't you?" I say in an amused tone.

"What?" he says, looking at me with a hurt expression, "Mum doesn't want us to be late,"

I laugh, "Of course not,"

"Good," he huffs like a small child and I smile at him.

I hate how comfortable this is, how natural it feels to be talking and laughing with him. To be fucking lying on his chest whilst he plays with my hair.

I sigh and he flicks my nose. I stare at him indignantly, "You tickled my chest," he defends himself.

I roll my eyes, resulting in him gently pinching my hip. I slap his hand away, only for him to put it back on my waist.

Duchess meows and climbs over me, settling herself down on Luca's stomach, resting her head near mine. I tickle her chin and she purrs in response.

Luca freezes and swiftly removes Duchess from where she was sitting. She jumps off the bed with her tails waving. "Hey, you made her leave," I say pouting.

"Tesoro I'm not having a cat sit on me," Luca explains.

I sit up and cross my arms against my chest, pushing my breasts up as I turn my face away from him.

"Don't act like a child Adelyn," he says in a bored tone.

I humph and continue to look away. No one pushes my baby off like that.

Suddenly I feel two strong arms grab me and pull me down.

"Let me go!" I laugh, as Luca begins to tickle me,

"Don't ignore me like that then," he laughs too, obviously enjoying this torture he's putting me through.

"Ok fine," I gasp, trying to breathe as I continue to laugh.