Half-assedis not in hisvocabulary.
(Evidently, neither issmall talkorpatience.)
“Never thought about it much,” Luca murmurs absently after a while, eyes on Potter and Harry. “Having a family. Being a father. Never had one of my own, so it’s hard to picture.” He pauses. “Seeing them, it’s easier. Makes me remember not every kid spends their formative years bouncing from foster homes to shitty shelters and back, before the system spits them out at eighteen to fend forthemselves.”
I suck in a breath. It’s the most personal thing Luca’s ever said to me, and I find myself totally tongue-tied as aresult.
Sure, my family isn’t perfect… most days, they drive me crazy. But at least Ihaveone. I stare at Luca, lacking the proper words to comfort him. I have no idea what to say to him, whether I’m even entitled to ask him questions about a topic thisintimate.
“Luca…”
His eyes find mine. “Don’t look at me likethat,babe.”
“Likewhat?”
“Soft. Warm. Same look you give when you’re talking to an abandoned puppy or a shy little kid. The one that says you care.” His jaw clenches and a muscle leaps in his cheek. “Makes me want to do things to you I can’t do in a publicplace.”
I squirm alittle.
“For a long time, I thought this world was so messed up it would be a sin to bring a kid into it. Like throwing an angel into the brimstones of hell.” His acerbic tone mellows a bit as his eyes hold mine. “Now, I think maybe it’s just a matter of finding the right person to walk through thefirewith.”
“Well…” I steady my shoulders and take a breath, afraid to say the next words but knowing I’ll regret it forever if I chicken out. “I’m sure you’ll find her, someday. And… you’ll make a great father, Luca. You spent years protecting Zoe. You saved me the other night — hell, you’ve been saving me all week. Everyone you meet loves you on sight. Police officers. Mrs. Macomber. The twins. Even thedogloves you.” I shake my head at the puppy, snoozing on his legs. “It’s a little annoying,actually.”
“Might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.” He grins. “Besides the part about it beingannoyingthat people find melikable.”
“I stand by thatstatement.”
“Butyoudon’t find melikable.”
Iflush. “Nope.”
“Uh huh.” He cuts a glance at me. “Except, here’s the thing… I think you do like me. In fact, after our moment this afternoon in your bedroom, I’m damn near positive youlikeme.”
“I’m positive you’rewrong.”
“Uhhuh.”
“It was justakiss.”
“Like hell,” he growls. “You kissedmeback.”
I keep my eyes dead ahead. “It was a lapse injudgment.”
“Uhhuh.”
“It won’t happenagain.”
“Uhhuh.”
“Sayuh huhone more time, see whathappens.”
He chuckles. “Don’t get your panties in atwist.”
“My panties are just fine,thankyou.”
“I can vouch for that,” he reminds me lowly. “Saw them up close andpersonal.”
I scowl. “Can we not talk about my undergarments,please?”