Chapter 129
They moved to the living room once they had their drinks. Sutton eased herself onto the couch, feeling the day’s exhaustion deep in her bones.
Luca sat beside her, not too close, but near enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from him. He was like a furnace. One thing she had enjoyed during winter in bed with him. “You look tired,” he murmured. “Do you want me to take you home?”
Before she could answer, Keira appeared in front of them, arms crossed. “So,” she said bluntly. “What exactly do you want from my sister? Because if it’s just the baby you can get lost, she needs more than that, and she deserves it too.”
“Keira!” Sutton hissed, mortified. She should have known it was the calm before the storm.
Luca, to his credit, didn’t flinch or back away from the fight. Standing up to Keira was the best way to handle her. “I intend to be there for her first. For our child. In whatever capacity she’ll allow me.”
“And if she tells you to get lost?”
“Then I’ll respect her wishes,” he replied evenly. “But I’ll never stop trying to prove that I can be worthy of a second chance. I knew the moment I let her go I had made a terrible mistake.”
“Not from the moment you walked away. You waited over a week, or you would have seen her before she left the country.”
Luca nodded, agreeing with her. “Keira, there are things you don’t understand, and while I know you want to protect your sister, it’s between Sutton and me. If she wants to tell you, that’s fine, but until that moment, stay out of it.” There wasn’t any anger in his statement, just telling her in a few words to butt out.
Sutton hid a grin by bringing her tea up to take a sip.
Keira studied him for a long moment, then gave a curt nod. “Fair enough. But let me be crystal clear: if you hurt her again, there will not be enough evidence left for the police to build a case against me.”
“Understood,” Luca said with complete seriousness.
Keira gave Sutton a look that clearly said, “The ball’s in your court,” before wandering off to examine Roman’s wine collection over in the corner.
Blair and Roman hadn’t said anything, letting Luca and Sutton deal with Keira.
“Sorry about that,” Sutton said, her face slightly warm with embarrassment. No one would guess Keira was the younger sister. She had more fight than Blair and her–which she broke up with threats and sarcasm.
“Don’t be,” Luca replied. “She loves you. I respect that.” He hesitated before adding, “Are you ready to go? You look like you might fall as. right here.”
As if on cue, Sutton yawned. “Maybe. But Keira drove us here.”
“I can take you home,” he offered. “If you’re comfortable with that. Your sister can stay on if she wants. It’s still early.”
She thought about it for a moment. “Okay,” she decided. “But just a ride home. Nothing else.”
He nodded. “Of course.”
They said their goodbyes, Sutton hugging her sisters tightly, promising to call tomorrow. Blair whispered in her ear, “Be careful with your heart. But don’t be afraid to use it,” which was exactly the kind of contradictory advice Blair was good at. But she understood. Blair had taken a leap of faith on Roman, coming out with the better option.
Luca drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the console between them. Occasionally, she caught him glancing at her. She was very aware of him beside her.
“I meant what I said to Keira,” he said finally as they approached her building. “I’ll be here, in whatever way you’re comfortable with.”
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Chapter 129
Sutton looked out the window, watching the familiar streets pass by. “I know. We have our appointment for the check up tomorrow, are you still coming?”
“Of course, the afternoon is cleared in my diary. I wasn’t sure how long it would take, so I took the whole afternoon.”
Sutton was silently pleased. She would have to let Blair know she didn’t have to come this time. Her sisters had been taking turns going with her so she wouldn’t be alone. Tomorrow would have been Blair’s turn.
“You haven’t decided about the job,” he observed.
“Not yet.” She turned to face him. “It’s a big step. I’m going to take the time off to have this baby.”
“Take all the time you need.” He pulled up in front of her building and shut off the engine. “Also to let you know I’m thinking of adding childcare in the building for Cyber10 staff. The biggest problem women face is coming back to work after having children.” He turned to face her.
“Is that because of me?”
Luca shook his head. “I would love to say yes, but you can ask Jake. I have childcare at most of my companies. It’s practical and works for the company and parents because it’s not just women that need childcare. Some dads do as well.”
“That’s very forward–thinking of you,” Sutton said, surprised.
“May I walk you up?”
She hesitated, then nodded. “Okay.”
The elevator ride was silent, the air between them charged with everything unsaid. When they reached her door, Sutton fumbled with her keys, suddenly
nervous.
“Thank you for the ride,” she said, turning to face him.
reach.
“Thank you for letting me come tonight. You could have stopped me from going.” He stepped closer, his hand reaching up to brush a strand of hair from her face. “For giving me a chance with your sisters.”
Her breath caught at the gentle touch. “They’re important to me.”
“I know.” His voice was soft, his eyes intent on hers. “You’re important to me.”
The moment stretched between them; she could feel her pulse beat faster as her heart rate picked up. It would be so easy to invite him in. To fall b into the comfort of his arms, his touch, and his warmth.
But she wasn’t ready. Not yet. She had already crossed the line twice, she knew, but for now she needed to be sure this was what she wanted.
“Goodnight, Luca,” she said quietly, stepping back slightly.
He nodded, understanding in his eyes. “Goodnight, Sutton.”
She watched him walk back toward the elevator. Just before he stepped inside, he turned, catching her still watching him. A small smile touched his lips.” He lifted a hand to say goodbye.
The doors closed, and he was gone.
Sutton leaned against her apartment door, one hand resting on her belly where the baby had started to kick again. “What do you think, little one?” she whispered. “Should we give your daddy another chance?”
The baby kicked harder, as if in response. Sutton laughed softly, finally unlocking her door and stepping inside.
The ball, as Keira had so clearly indicated, was in her court,
