Bound to Break

Chapter 56

~Luca POV~

The counter was cold beneath my palms. I'd made a plate full of pancakes for Nina knowing she'd be done with her shower, and waited for her to come downstairs.

She'd fallen asleep in my arms last night. For once she let me hold her. Skin to skin. My heartbeat against her, and her light breaths filling the silence.

I ran a hand through my hair, ruffling it. Shit. She stayed in her place till morning, and when those brown eyes flickered open I was sure I'd never seen anything so fucking beautiful.

Fuck, I never thought I'd be this obsessed with the idea of just holding a woman. But I was, and I knew it'd never end.

She was coming. The footsteps sounded too sharp, and when she came into sight I stared at her cluelessly. She was dressed in a denim mini skirt, a purple top and wore silver heels that could be called stilts.

She stood before me, pulled her sunglasses down and met my gaze with a smile. "Morning."

"We going somewhere?" I asked, sliding her plate towards her. She sat behind the island and started eating.

"Mmhmm. The warehouse??" 

A sardonic breath left me. The warehouse. She stuffed her mouth with a few forkfuls, and then squinted at the box on the countertop. "What's that?"

"You said you left your curling iron in New York." I leaned against the counter, already tense from her plans for today. "Got you one."

A smile tugged on her lips, and she said a "thanks" with a mouthful of food.

"And about the warehouse, you aren't going." I snapped. The last thing I expected, was her next words to pull my world down, having it crash against the ground.

"I want to see Elmo."

Elmo. My jaw ticked, and suddenly the atmosphere that was once light had grown heavy - more meaningful, dangerous.

She noticed the change, and furrowed her brows but didn't say anything, until she carried her plate to the sink.

"Do you think I should get him something?" She turned to me, a spark in her eyes. "Like flowers? Maybe roses-"

A scoff left me. "Roses." I mocked, crossing my arms and feeling a wave of envy overcoming me. It was fucking strong, and stupid how nothing else could faze me except this - the thought of her and him.

I clenched my teeth. She'd fight back. Nina was the kind of woman to stand up for what she wanted, unless I stopped her.

Unless I held her under my thumb, or killed my brother. Fuck. That was insane, but not enough for me. If it meant I'd have her forever I'd do it.

Before I could bask in the hatred burning at the back of my throat...she laughed.

It was a laugh that could light a room. I didn't realise how much it made my chest warm. The way her eyes crinkled, or her dimples grew deeper. Fucking hell.

I ignored the skip of my heartbeat and hardened my eyes on her. "Something funny?"

She wrapped her arms around me, and that was one of the moments where my entire world slowed. Every muscle in my body relaxed - melted into her frame.

I didn't know what she was doing, but I still wrapped my arms around her and let her place her head on my body.

"You're so jealous." She teased. "And grumpy."

"I'll kill him, Nina." My words were sure and also threatening, but instead of reacting she snuggled her face deeper into my shirt.

"God you're oblivious. You don't get it do you?" She tilted her head to meet my eyes.