Guarded

Chapter 24

I looked up when I heard my bedroom door lock click. Thinking it was my mother I stood from my bed and began preparing myself for a fight but my hard glare softened when I saw Luca.

I should have been freaking out but as he stood there a feeling of happy surprise filled me. After last night I was sure our next meeting would be awkward and was thinking of a million ways to avoid him, that was why I was so happy he wasn't working.

The air between us wasn't awkward though. It was friendly with an edge. I wanted to ask why he was here. I wanted to ask why he didn't kiss me last night. I wanted to walk over to him and do it myself.

I let my eyes roll over him shamelessly marvelling in his good looks and noticing how different he looked in jeans and a t-shirt. I knew by his casual dress that he must've been working on his car.

"It's rude to stare" he said lowly then purposely ran his fingers through his hair the way he knew I liked. Oh boy.

"I never was well-mannered" I tried to sound sexy but my voice broke halfway through making me sound like a pubescent boy and he smiled. I didn't quite know what to do with myself. Had I ever had man in my room before? I didn't think Jacob counted.

"Trust me I know" he said "Still have that scar from where you stabbed me"

"You big baby! I didn't even stab you properly. You twisted my arm before I could even do any damage" I rolled my eyes.

"You still scratched the skin, you pyhco" he joked.

It was easier to do this now that I knew why he did the things he did. It was easier to be in the same room as him alone and talk because I knew where I stood a bit more.

"Why'd you say no?" He said suddenly bringing me out of my thoughts.

"No to what?"

"To your father. It makes sense to guarantee you marry into the right family. Wealth-wise" he said.

"You're kidding me right? I don't even like hanging around trust fund babies why would I marry one?"

He pushed away from the door with a cheeky smile and stood across from me. "So you're saving yourself for some commoner" he joked.

"Not exactly but if I do marry, I plan to marry for love"

"Is love important to you?" he asked stepping a little closer with dark eyes that made me wonder what he was planning.

"I don't know actually. I've never experienced it" I choked out suddenly feeling restricted.

We were chest to chest again. My eyes darted all over the room avoiding his glare. I looked over to the abandoned calendar on my desk and the half empty laundry basket. I looked over to the dust accumulating on my laptop and reminded myself to run duster over it.

He put his hand on my chin raising my head so I had to look into his eyes. The black marbles glinted with something mischievous "never?"

"Lust? Maybe. But, love? Never"

"Lust?" He asked. I nodded causing our noses to brush lighting "for who?"

"For yo-" the end of my sentence was smothered and finished there when in a sudden flash he brought his head down and claimed my mouth in a kiss.

Foreign but soft lips were melded against mine. He wasted no time sliding his tongue over my lower lip, the slightest flick sending a spike of pleasure through me. I gasped, the action caused my lips to part, letting him in.

His hand found its way to the side of my neck, sliding up the curve of my throat to my jaw sending a shiver down my spine before settling on my cheek, each touch like fire against my skin, leaving Goosebumps in its wake. His other hand griped my hip pulling me into him.

I was sure I was still day dreaming. Certain that this was all my imagination giving me what I wanted and the sound of my mothers shrill call would ruin it again.

I snaked my arms around his neck, pulling him in, desperate for more. I'd had boyfriends before but this fire, this hunger was so new to me. I became like a completely different person, biting at his lips and tugging at his hair.

I needed more.

A loud knock on the door caused us to just apart.

"Who is it?" My voice shook.

"Tori it's me" my mother called through the door.

"Shit" I muttered "coming!" I looked up at Luca who had lipstick all over his mouth and who's hair looked ridiculous. I gave him a frantic look and he just laughed. "This is not funny!" I whispered

"It's kind of funny" he said leaning in and starting to kiss me again. He chuckled into my mouth as our tongues fought for dominance when another loud knock came from the door bringing me to my senses.

"Out! Out! Quick before I rip out your jugular" I shooed him into the my bathroom which had its own exit into the hallway "wait for her to come in then leave" I shut the door on him then ran over to a mirror.

"Theresa?" My mother called through the door.

"Coming! Just a minute" I had just as much lipstick over my face as Luca and my shirt was twisted.

"Theresa open this door"

"Just. A. Minute" I shouted wiping away the evidence before I ran to the door unlocking it "yes mother?"

"You've upset your father quite a bit missy" she pushing the door open forcing me backwards into the room "and why this door is locked?"

I licked my swollen lips still feeling fiery tingles "what have I done?"

"Your unreasonable behaviour this morning was inexcusable"

"I think I was well within my rights mother"

"At least consider having just a small gathering. You won't have marry someone on the spot but it'll give you a chance to meet some of the eligible bachelors around"

"Okay mother" I lied putting my hands on her shoulders and directing her out of the room.

"Good girl. We can start planning the party tomorrow"

"Sure! Sure!" I said shutting the door behind her

~~~~

FIRST KISS YAY (milestone af)