Free Luca (I Love the Way You Lie #1) by Gina Whitney

she was mine. She swallowed the lump in her throat and then lifted her chin proudly. I almost chuckled to myself. So, the Lion falls in love with the Lamb , I thought.
    I opened the door to the stairwell and we took the stairs down to the main level. James, the night security guard, was on tonight. I made sure to throw some much-needed cash into his pocket. In return, he’d allow some much-needed alone time with Allison. However, making sure that cock-block Sven was nowhere in sight.
    Allison stared up at me as we walked, almost imploring me as to where we were going. I didn’t tell her. My hand was firm and tentative around hers. I squeezed and let the strength of my hand secure any doubt she may have had. She settled imperceptibly and I smiled inwardly. I felt exhilarated. High on the potential of the night.
    Finally pushing open the last barrier to my sanity, I nod at James as we walked past.
    “Are we supposed to be out here?” she whispered, looking around in the darkness.
    “Yes, and no.” I never stopped or broke my pace.
    “Umm…well…I…”
    “Don’t worry, Allison. You’re safe with me.” Yeah right , I thought.
    She pulled me to a stop. “That’s not what I’m asking.” She motioned up ahead to the path just before the woods. “I don’t think we should be coming here at night. You know, sneaking around…we’ll get in trouble.” She sighed.
    “Number one, you belong right here.” I pulled her flush against my chest, letting her feel that I’m all man, and all about being here with her. “Two, we’re not sneaking around. James knows we’re out here.” My thumb played with her pouty bottom lip that I was aching to bite. “Three, since when do you follow the rules?” I didn’t give her a moment to respond. I just took. I resisted her struggles until she fell limp—submissive. She did. And I wanted to roar and beat my fucking chest in the night air.
    She was surprised, flushed, and breathless. Perfect. “God…”
    “I can live with that. Though, I’d prefer Luca or sir,” I tossed out, joking. Hardly . My balls drew up tightly.
    She pretended to straighten her clothes. “Yeah, bite me. Not happening. Ha! Sir…” she laughed to herself, but I watched closely as the words rolled off her tongue, past her lips, almost digesting them.
    I decided to be patient. I knew they would come.
    I grabbed her hand again, leading her down the path to the pond. She was hesitant, but followed. This pleased me. But a knot of dread sank into my stomach. If someone hurt her, I’ll kill them. Fucking utterly and most definitely kill them, I thought. Though, I decided not to dwell on it for the time being. I’d have plenty of time to right any wrongs to my Allison.
    “Wait.” I held up my finger as I retrieved the green backpack from behind the bush.
    “What’s in there?” She craned her neck to look.
    I pulled out the comforter from my bed that I had neatly tucked away earlier. With a quick shake, I laid it over the dewy grass along the pond. The moon was high and bright, glistening over the lily pads. Serenity blanketed me, quelling the monster—temporarily. I turned to her, offering my hand. Trust , my eyes pleaded.
    She placed her hand in mine and paused. “It’s beautiful out here, and yet kind of scary.” She looked around. She was right to be scared, but I didn’t tell her that. I kept that to myself.
    “I come out here all the time. It’s perfectly safe,” I lied. I rarely came here. This was beautiful—natural. Everything, I’m not. My solace lay within the shadows. My tastes, contrarian. Darkness alit by fire was my beauty. My heart skipped each time flames danced and seethed around me. It was there that I was most at peace—amongst the flickers.
    She sat back on her palms, crossing her ankles. My posture was less formal. I sat directly behind her, a leg on either side…caging her in. Her head was now resting on my chest. My lips pressed to the nape of her neck, which had