Ransom (On Hold)

Chapter 7

Miley's POV

The bright sunlight flooded my vision as I opened my eyes. It must've been the early afternoon by now. 

Luca and I had arrived at another one of his many properties early this morning. We were at a quaint condo this time instead of an enormous mansion. 

I hopped out of bed and walked out onto the balcony. My lips curled up as I was greeted by the calming sounds the crashing ocean waves. By the looks of it, I assumed that we were in a small coastal town in California. 

My whole body lit on fire when I caught sight of Luca in nothing but a pair of workout shorts walking out of the water. His chiseled chest glistened in the sunlight as he ran both of his hands through his wet hair. 

A million thoughts rushed through my mind, but one notion really stood out. I wanted him. So badly. 

As hard as I tried to pull my gaze off of Luca and all of his glory, my mind wouldn't let me. I tensed up when my eyes met his. A wide smirk spread across his perfect face. 

"Like what you see?" he called up to me. I was too embarrassed to answer so I just turned around and ran back inside. I slammed the balcony door closed behind me. My back pressed up against it as I squeezed my eyes shut. 

"Stupid... stupid," I muttered to myself while prying my body off of the door. There was no way I was leaving this room today.   

I began to make my bed in an effort to distract myself from my embarrassment. I nearly jumped when a knock on my door interrupted the silence.

I opened it slowly, revealing a still shirtless Luca. He stood leaning against the doorframe, the same smirk was still covered his face. 

"If you came here to gloat, I'd rather you just leave me be," I asserted. His smirk turned into a genuine smile. 

"That's not why I'm here, Sweetheart." 

There was a long pause as I waited for him to continue. He took a deep breath as his posture shifted. It looked as if he was nervous to keep going. 

"What is it then?" I pushed, my patience growing thin. 

"I want to take you to dinner tonight," his statement came out more like a question. 

I had spent a decent amount of time with this man, and this was the first time his confidence seemed to waiver. He stood there apprehensively waiting for my response. 

"I have nothing to wear," I smirked slightly at him. His smile grew wider. 

"I've got that covered," he grabbed a huge shopping bag from behind him. "Be ready by eight." He winked and then turned around to leave. 

"I didn't say yes," I called out at him once he had made it halfway down the hallway. 

He looked over his shoulder, flashing me his ever-so-endearing smile. "You didn't say no either, Darlin."

** A few hours later **

Luca and I strolled side-by-side down the pier. Dinner had gone surprisingly well. The conversation seemed to flow effortlessly and I had genuinely enjoyed getting to see the lighter side of him. 

"So you're telling me that Mr. Masculine over here is afraid of cats," I giggled responding to an anecdote that Luca had just told me.

"I'm telling you, I'm still traumatized," he laughed. We made it to the end of the pier. Both of us leaned over the railing, looking down at the water. We fell into a comfortable silence. 

"It's so beautiful out here," I spoke quietly. 

"It is, isn't it?" Luca responded.

"Do you get to come out here a lot?" I asked while facing towards him. 

"As a kid I did. But I don't really get to come out here as often as I'd like to anymore," he answered and turned his body towards me. He flashed me the most adorable grin I had ever seen from a man so lethal.

"What's that smile for?" I asked, giggling at his goofy grin. 

"It's for you," he responded. 

He pushed himself off of the railing and stepped in front of me. My lower back hit the cool metal railings as I faced him. He placed his hands on either side of me, grabbing tightly onto the railing. We both stood still, neither one of us knowing what to do next. 

One of his hands reached up to my face, lightly placing it where my jaw met my neck.

"You're so goddamn beautiful," he whispered. His thumb rubbing smoothly against my face.  

I watched as his face slowly inched towards mine. My hands instinctively flew to his chest, but to my surprise they slid up to his face pulling him closer to me. 

I could feel his hot breath on my lips. Both of our chests were rising and falling heavily in anticipation. His eyes searched mine as if he were looking for some sort of permission. 

I closed the small gap between us, crashing my lips onto his. The kiss was slow and gentle at first, but it quickly turned heated and ravenous. 

His hands glided down my body and lightly gripped my hips pulling me closer to him. My fingers curled into his hair, pulling slightly at the nape of his neck. A deep growl erupted from the back of his throat as the kiss continued to make my legs shake.

I pulled away breathlessly, my head resting on his forehead. 

"I've wanted to do that since the moment I laid my eyes on you," he declared. I pulled back and smiled up at him. 

"C'mon," I grabbed his hand and started pulling him towards the stairs. 

"Where are we going?" he asked as we reached the stairs. I let go of his hand and ran down them towards the water. 

"Swimming," I yelled over my shoulder, kicking off my shoes. I could hear him close behind me as my skin made contact with the seawater. I squealed as his lifted me off the ground guiding us deeper into the water. 

I giggled as Luca fell into the water taking me with him. We came up gasping and laughing. Luca took hold of my wrist and pulled me towards him. I wrapped my legs around his torso as his hands clutched my thighs. 

He kissed me gently and passionately and I never wanted it to end.  When I pulled away his eyes were dark and smoldering. 

He wanted me as badly as I wanted him. 

"My clothes feel like a million pounds," I giggled, lightening the mood. Luca grabbed my hand and started walking me towards the sand. As we neared the shoreline, a big wave surprised the both of us taking us down. We both laid on our backs laughing at what had just happened. 

Luca swiftly rolled on top of me. The mood changed from humor to lust immediately. 

I pulled his face down to me bringing his lips to mine in a hungry kiss. I let my hands roam his toned chest. The feeling of his body against mine had the heat between my legs intensify. Much to my dismay, he pulled away. The water droplets from his hair dripped onto my face.

From the look of his face I could tell that he was waiting for me to make the next move. I admired his chivalry, but I needed his dangerousness. 

"Take me home," I pleaded.

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I'm back!!! I hope you liked this chapter :) like and comment!!! The next chapter might or might not get steamy ;)