He takes a step back, actually looking shocked. "Do you really think I'd hurt you?"
No, I don't.
My body relaxes, and feeling stupid, I explain, "All the tension is getting to me." Luca approaches me as if I'm a bomb that's going to detonate on him. He reaches for my shoulder, then pulls me
into a hug.
When he presses a kiss to my temple, I close my eyes and wrap my arms around his waist.
"I'm sorry I raised my voice earlier," he murmurs.
Loving the feel of his arms around me makes me feel like
it's safe to admit, "This is harder than I thought it would be." "There are going to be rough patches, but we'll work our way through them," he assures me. He holds me a little longer, then pushes me back so he can make eye contact. "Our bedroom. Our apartment."
I search his face, and appreciating that he's trying, I say, "I just need time. It feels like I'm a guest who needs to ask permission for everything, which is something I'm not used to."
He shakes his head, and lifting his hands, he frames my face. "I'm sorry. I'll work on it." He surprises me by pressing a tender kiss on my forehead.
"Thank you." His phone starts ringing, and when he
ignores it, I say, "You can take the call."