Hidden Flames [The Ludovicas: Second Generation Book Three]

Twenty-Two | Cafe

IRENE

At my request, Kian brought us to a nearby cafe. What's the point of going out on a bike ride and not going to a specific place?

This time he rode at a normal speed and we soon reached a cafe.

Getting off the bike, he helped me take off my helmet and then gently brushed away the hair from my face, fixing it.

I watched him in awe as he did that and then proceeded to remove his helmet and ran his fingers through his hair making him look sexy.

"Let's go." I intertwined our fingers together and dragged him inside.

The cafe was cosy, the smell of coffee and sweets wafting to me instantly making my mouth water.

Kian led the way inside, taking me to the last corner booth and we both settled down, sitting opposite each other.

"You were trying to kill me, weren't you?" I placed my hands on the table, leaning forward, narrowing my eyes at him.

He rolled his eyes.

"Yes, you were. You were driving so recklessly, what if we had gotten into an accident? You would have been happy to get rid of me, no?"

His eyes darkened and he pinned me with a cold glare. "Don't talk nonsense."

I huffed. "No matter what I say, to you, it will always be nonsense."

He looked like he wanted to disagree but then a waiter arrived to take our orders and I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich and a caramel macchiato while Kian ordered a hot latté.

Once the waiter had gone, I asked, "Do you always drive so recklessly?"

He shrugged.

"Don't do that. Please. I don't want you to get hurt. Who will I annoy then?"

A hint of a smile flickered at his lips, his eyes so soft as he gazed at me intently.

The longer he stared at me, the more I fiddled in the seat, having his attention on me was so overwhelming.

I glanced out of the window instead and said, "You know you laughed earlier, on the bike. Three months of marriage and all it takes for you to laugh is seeing me being afraid. That's mean. You are not a good husband, Kian Ludovica."

He cocked his head, amusement lingering on his face.

"See, you are still finding this funny." I glared at him. "You could have hurt us both."

"I knew what I was doing. I would never hurt you, Irene." He stated, sounding stern.

"Oh..." I trusted him. More than I should. Just his simple statement assured me.

We both fell silent, our eyes locked together in a comfortable stare.

I extended my hand towards him, saying, "Give me your hand."

He frowned subtly. "Why?"

"Because I wanna hold it. Now give me, hubby."

Sighing, he put his left hand on the table and I snatched it, pulling it towards me and locking our fingers together.

I grinned, loving the warm, skin-to-skin contact with him.

I played with his hand, tracing the lines on his palm with my finger and then traced the platinum wedding band on his ring finger.