“You sure?” My sister doesn’t look convinced at my newfound willingness to socialize.
“Yes. Between the drama with Rachele and Lilly, I’m done with relationships.”
“Look, I’m all for blowing off steam, brother, but—”
“No buts, Natalia.” Determination takes over my words when I state, “I’m going to go out tonight, and I’m going to have some fun.”
“Fine,” she says, with a roll of her eyes.
My head hurts. I think I’m going to be sick.
Why did Natalia let me party so hard last night?
Why is my arm dead?
I try to move It, but it doesn’t budge.
What the? Cracking my eyes open, I see red hair fanned out across my arm. My heart rate accelerates dramatically. Who the hell is this? She rolls over, and an unfamiliar face comes into view as well as a naked breast.
Shit!
Pulling my arm out from underneath the stranger quietly and carefully, I jump out of bed hoping not to wake her.
What the hell did I do last night?
The hot water slides over my aching body as the night’s events come back into my mind slowly.
Lots to drink.
Partying with my friends.
Loads of beautiful women in the VIP section.
Images of lips on mine.
The feeling of being invincible running through my body.
Clothes being shed.
Pushing her warm body up against a wall.
My head hangs in shame. Why?
A hand comes to rest on my shoulder pulling me from my thoughts, and it makes me flinch. The gorgeous redhead is now naked and in the shower with me.
“You ready for round two, big boy.” My dick deflates instantly.
“I’m sorry. I… I think you should go.”
Her face drops. “Are you sure?” She attempts to reach for my dick, but I stop her.
“Yes.”
“Fine. It was fun. Call me if you’re ever in the mood again.” She exists the shower in a flurry of excitement and leaves.
Like hell, I’m going to call her.
What the hell have you done, Luca?
Walking out of my bedroom dressed for the day, I find my brother sitting in my lounge room sipping on an espresso.
“There’s one on the table for you. Thought you might need one after last night.” Raising a brow at me, he’s not looking all that impressed.
“Thanks.” I take a sip and sigh. This is exactly what I needed to make me feel human again.
“Cute girl.” Internally, I groan at his observation.
“Don’t want to talk about it.” Sulking, I take a seat on the sofa.
“Fine. Just wanted to check you still want to employ Lilly Simpson, after…”
Hearing her name makes my heart ache and not in a good way. If I’m honest, I feel so much guilt about hooking up with someone last night, but Lilly has made it perfectly clear on multiple occasions she doesn’t want to be with me. Guess I was too thick, or too in love to get it.
“What? No. Why would I do that?”
“Because she broke your heart, brother.” Giorgio raises his brow at me.
“I’m adult enough to know she’s a brilliant doctor, and having her expertise working with the charity will be beneficial to the underprivileged.”
“Noble.” My brother smirks at me.
“I’ll get over it.”
“We can send her to the other side of the world if that helps.” Giorgio grins. “She’d still be helping, and you wouldn’t have to be reminded of the woman who’s broken your heart.”
“As long as it’s somewhere safe.” For even thinking that way, I feel instantly like a dick. “Just because we aren’t together anymore doesn’t mean I wish her anything but the best.”
“I’ll make sure she is safe, brother.” Giorgio nods.
25
Lilly
It took me a while to come to terms that Luca has blocked me on everything. Thankfully, not Google, but from what I saw on there, I wish I was blocked there too. There are recent images of him on nights out with his friends with gorgeous women hanging off his arm. He looks like he’s having the time of his life.
Maybe it’s for the best.
The rose-colored glasses of our relationship seem to have fallen off, and I guess we weren’t meant to be. I mean, come on, he’s a prince, and I’m a doctor, we could never work. I’d probably pick up the wrong fork and embarrass him with my inadequacies.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving already.” Lauren cuddles me.
I have spent the past couple of weeks in Italy learning everything about the charity I’ll be serving. I’ve been back home in Scotland for a week to pack up and say goodbye before I start my job in Bangladesh. I’m so excited to be heading somewhere that’s different to my current life, I’m ready to dive into the rich culture and be totally out of my comfort zone. I want to work in a place that really needs me.
“I know,” I murmur while wrapping my arms around her tightly.
“I feel like I’ve just gotten you back, and now you’re leaving again.”
“It’s only a three-month contract. And then who knows? I might be somewhere closer next time.”
“I hope so. Can you put your name down for something at least in Europe? I could convince Alistair to go there. I don’t think he wants to do another twenty-hour flight anytime soon.”
“I promise, I’ll try for somewhere a little closer.”
“I don’t want to say goodbye.” Lauren sobs.
“Me, either.”
Three Months Later
Bangladesh—what an amazing experience. The sights and sounds, even the smells, have seeped into my bones in such a short time. I really loved it.
What I realized during my time here is where I want to specialize. I want more to do with women’s health and especially human trafficking. I was really exposed to that seedy underground world while in Bangladesh. Refugees being taken advantage of because they don’t have any papers, so therefore, they don’t have a voice. Women thinking they are being employed as a domestic service but end up in prostitution. And, of course, birth control is non-existent in these underdeveloped nations.
So now my contract is up, I asked if they would
