Chapter 24: Luca in L.A

Elliott

I just can't explain it, he said, turning his face away.

Luca in L.A.? The thought slams into me like a punch to the gut.

Though I should be happy for him, this is what he’s always wanted. He’s been obsessed with films but it just hurts that he didn't tell me before he applied.

And that's not just it, all I am thinking about right now is how far L.A. is from here.

“You haven’t heard back from them yet?” I ask, my voice tight.

“No,” he says, watching me carefully. “Not yet.”

I nod slowly, but my thoughts are spiraling. If they accept him, he’s gone. And what happens then? What happens to us?

“I didn’t tell you to freak you out,” Luca says, stretching his hands to reach mine, but I take a step back again. He sighs. “Elliot, come on.”

“I just…” I swallow, shaking my head. “It’s a lot, okay? My parents dropped this marriage thing on me, and now you’re telling me you might move across the country?”

Luca watches me, and for a second, I see something flicker in his eyes. Hurt? Frustration? Maybe both.

“I get it,” he says, voice softer now. “It is a lot. But I can’t put my life on hold forever, Elliot. You know that.”

I run a hand through my hair, my chest feeling tight. “I know.”

He exhales, stepping closer again. This time, I didn't move away. His hands find my waist, grounding me. “We don’t know if I’ll even get in. And even if I do… that doesn’t mean we’re over.”

I look up at him. “Doesn’t it?”

Luca’s grip on me tightens, his voice firm. “No. Not unless you give up on us.”

I want to believe him. I really do. But between my family’s expectations, the arranged engagement, and now this.. it feels like the universe is throwing every possible obstacle in our way.

But Luca is still here, standing in front of me, refusing to let go.

I close my eyes for a second, taking a slow breath. When I open them again, I nod. “Okay.”

His lips quirk up slightly. “Yeah?”

I nod again. “Yeah. We’ll figure it out.”

Luca studies me like he’s making sure I really mean it. Then, finally, he smiles. “Good.”

He pulls me in, his arms wrapping around me, and I let myself sink into him. Because no matter what’s coming next, whether it’s my family, Cecilia, or the possibility of losing him to L.A…. right now, Luca is still mine.

And I’m not ready to let go.

Why don't we talk about my new film, he said suddenly pulling out.

Luca

I leaned back in my chair, my gaze lingering on Elliott's face as he sat across from me in my small apartment. The air was thick with the scent of old books and the remnants of the takeout we'd ordered for dinner. I'd been trying to subtly drop hints all evening, but it seemed like Elliott was oblivious to my advances.

"So, what do you think of my new film idea?" I asked, my voice low and husky. I watched as Elliott's eyes flicked up to meet mine, a hint of excitement in his gaze.

"I think it's great, Luca. But I'm not sure about the love scene. It seems a bit... too explicit."

I couldn't help but smirk at his comment. "Well, that's the point, isn't it? To push boundaries and explore new territory."

Elliott shifted in his seat, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. "I guess so. But still, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with it."

I leaned forward, my eyes never leaving his. "What if I told you I could make it comfortable for you?"

Elliott's eyes widened, and I could see the wheels turning in his head. "What do you mean?"

I stood up and walked over to him, my fingers brushing against his cheek. "I mean, I could help you understand what it's like to be in that situation. To feel that kind of desire."

Elliott's breath hitched as I leaned in closer, my lips barely brushing against his. "I don't know, Luca. I've never... I've never done anything like this before."

I pulled back slightly, my eyes searching his. "Do you trust me?"

Elliott hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes."

I leaned in again, my lips capturing his in a slow, sensual kiss. Elliott's body tensed for a moment before relaxing into the kiss, his hands coming up to rest on my shoulders. I could feel his heart pounding in his chest as I deepened the kiss, my tongue exploring his mouth.

I broke the kiss, my breath coming in ragged gasps. "Do you want to continue?"

Elliott nodded, his eyes dark with desire. "Yes."

I reached for the hem of his shirt, pulling it up over his head and tossing it aside. I took a moment to appreciate the sight of his bare chest, my fingers tracing the lines of his muscles. Elliott's breath hitched as I leaned in, my lips trailing down his neck and over his chest.

His breath hitched, and I could feel him getting close. I pulled back, my lips trailing up his chest and over his neck. I captured his lips in another searing kiss, my hands sliding down to his ass. I pulled him closer, grinding against him.

My lips trailing down his chest and over his stomach. I could feel him trembling as I knelt before him, my hands sliding up his thighs.

His breath hitched again, and I could feel him getting closer. I pulled back, my lips trailing up his chest and over his neck. I captured his lips again, my hand sliding down to stroke him.

I broke the kiss, my lips trailing down his stomach and over his abdominal, my hands sliding up his thighs.

I continued my exploration, my hands sliding down to his waistband. I looked up at him, my eyes questioning if I should continue, he just nodded, throwing his head backside, and I quickly undid his pants, sliding them down his hips.

I could feel the heat radiating off of him as I leaned in, my tongue darting out to taste him.

He moaned as I took him into my mouth, his hands tangling in my hair. I could feel him growing harder as I worked on him, my tongue swirling around his shaft. I looked up at him, my eyes meeting him as I took him deeper.