He stills. “You don’tremember?”
“I don’t rememberanythingpast getting back to Phoebe’s in the party bus that night… It’s all a blur.” My eyes narrow on his face suddenly. “Why? I didn’t do anything embarrassing,didI?”
He shakes his head, but his eyes are guarded. I can’t read himatall.
Shit.
My heart is thumping. “I mean… I was passed out the entire time. So I couldn’t possibly have done or said anything embarrassing.Right,Luca?”
“If you say so,” he murmursslowly.
Shit! That’s not adenial.
“What the hell happened?”Ihiss.
“Exactly what you think — brought you home, carried you inside, tucked you in bed, left once I was sure you weren’t gonna get sick in your sleep andasphyxiate.”
His voice is matter-of-fact, but I can’t shake the feeling he’s not telling me everything. Unfortunately, since I have no actual memories to back up my suspicions, there’s little I can doaboutit.
I blow out an exasperated breath. “It’s been a really stellartwodays.”
“Something for yourmemoirs.”
“Oh, yeah — my big, bad, law-breaking night of debauchery, all due to an octogenarian determined to turn his house into a knockoff Playboy Mansion, with or without my willing participation.” I roll my eyes. “Can you believe, when the police got in touch with him last night, he acted like he’d encouraged avalued employeeto borrow the car so she could get home safely.” I snort. “I guess he knows a sexual assault charge would be far more inconvenient than the expense of towing his Bentleybackhome.”
Luca’s expression darkens with angeragain.
“Turn that frown upside down, Buchanan. It could’ve been worse, all thingsconsidered.”
“Someone made advances on you without your consent,” he growls. “In my book, doesn’t get much worsethanthat.”
“That part wasn’t ideal, I’ll admit. But at least none of the charges the police threw at me will stick, except maybe reckless driving. I’ll probably end up paying a fine, if anything. Though, personally, I think my night in a jail cell with a hooker was punishmentenough.”
“The arresting officer isn’t a bad guy. I’ll give him a call later, try to smooththingsover.”
“No,” I say immediately. “You’ve done enough for me. I already have to pay you back for the bail money, plus picking me up and feeding me… I can’t ask you to doanymore.”
“Guess it’s lucky you didn’t ask, then. Ioffered.”
“But—”
“Delilah. Let medothis.”
My mouth opens to protest again, but I force down the objection when I catch sight of his expression. He looks as though his mind is thoroughly made up. I lean back against the edge of the counter and clear my throat. When I finally speak, my voice is barely amurmur.
“Why?”
His brows tug inward. “Whywhat?”
“Why are you so determined tohelpme?”
“Why areyouso determined to handle everythingalone?”
I jerk my chin higher, not deigning toanswer.
Luca’s eyes flash. “That’s fine. You don’t have to tell me. Pretty sure I already know theanswer.”
“Oh, really?” I scoffdoubtfully.