“I’ll wait here.” Theo gripped his arm, hand lingering near his elbow. “Keep me posted, okay?”

  More than anything, Luca wanted Theo with him, but there was no time to argue. “I will,” he promised, squeezing Theo’s hand briefly before letting go and starting to follow the signs to the waiting room.

  It wasn’t hard to find. It looked like a glass box, windows all along one wall revealing an elderly woman, a man who looked like her son, and Don. He sat leaning forward with his face buried in his hands. Luca hesitated, but he had to go in. The door squeaked when it opened and everyone but Don looked up at him. He offered the other two a grim nod, then went to sit down. Not right next to Don, he left a seat between them. “Hey,” he said quietly.

  Don didn’t move.

  Luca shifted on the hard, plastic chair, stared down at the linoleum flooring, and hunched in on himself. He didn’t want to be there. He didn’t want this to be real. “Any news?” he asked. “The guy out front said Mom’s still being assessed.”

  After a long silence, Don turned to face him. He’d been crying, his eyes were puffy and his face blotchy. “No news,” he said roughly. “They’ve given her some... I can’t remember. Something to thin her blood.”

  Luca nodded as if he knew the first thing about it. “Was she—?” He had to clear his throat. “Was she conscious when they brought her in?”

  “Not really.” Don looked away, rubbing a hand over his balding head, and Luca felt a difficult collision of emotions. Seeing how much Don loved Jude, how distressed he was, provoked his pity, it made him feel guilty for how much he’d resented Don. But knowing what Don thought about him... He dropped his head into his hands, wishing himself away from the world.

  Time passed. An eternity of tension and tedium, full of strangers walking up and down the corridor beyond: hospital staff in scrubs, visitors, and patients. A young couple laughed while they strolled past, as if they were living in a different world to Luca. As if the glass wall of the waiting room set its inhabitants apart, condemned them to a purgatory of waiting.

  Waiting, waiting, waiting...

  Eventually, Don lifted his head. “I feel like this is my fault,” he said.

  Luca’s heart gave a low warning thrum. “What? Why?”

  “We knew—Dr. Mira told Jude to get the tests done, but she...” He shook his head. “She’s a stubborn woman, your mother. But I should have insisted.”

  “You knew?” Luca went hot and cold all at once. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Jude wanted us to handle it alone,” Don said thickly. “The doctor said the tests were only precautionary, and Jude thought they were too expensive. If I’d—”

  “Mr. Brennan?” An African-American woman in blue scrubs and a surgical cap stood in the doorway.

  Don jumped to his feet. “Yes?”

  “I’m Dr. Anderson,” she said, looking between them with curiosity. “I’m a cardiologist and I’ve been looking after your wife.”

  “How is she?” Luca said. The doctor canted her head and he added, “I’m her son.”

  “Alright, then. Well, I’m pleased to tell you Judy’s doing well. The ECG showed that she has suffered a heart attack, but it’s what we call an NSTEMI—which means it’s a less serious type of heart attack. Jude shouldn’t need surgery. If you’d like to see her, you can, although perhaps one at a time. We don’t want too much excitement right now.”

  Don didn’t look at Luca, his red puffy eyes accentuated by a flush on his otherwise pallid face. Luca didn’t want to argue about who went first, and, anyway, he needed some time to absorb what Don had told him. He sat down, legs weak with relief and distress. “You go,” he said, aiming the words at Don even though his gaze was fixed on the floor. “Tell her I’m here.”

  Don cleared his throat, and after a moment Luca felt a hand on his shoulder, Don’s fingers squeezing. “I will. I’ll tell her you’re waiting to see her,” he said, and followed the doctor out.

  Luca’s mind swam, the last couple of weeks—the last five years—playing out in front of him, every decision he’d made called into question. Why hadn’t Jude told him she was so sick? He’d have helped pay for the tests. He’d have done anything for her. Why hadn’t she known that? He shoved his hands into his hair, knotting them there. The silent presence of the room’s other occupants oppressed him and he wished they’d leave, wished he was alone.

  No, not alone. He wished he was with Theo.

  Luca wanted him with a sudden, visceral urgency he couldn’t ignore. Pushing himself to his feet, he slipped out of the waiting room and headed back to the entrance. The same guy sat behind the desk, but there was no sign of Theo. Luca’s breathing hitched in alarm and he dashed outside into the heat, squinting across the parking lot. But the cab was gone. Theo was gone. Of course he was gone. People always left and he was no—

  “Luca?”

  Heart hammering, he spun around. Theo stood in the shade of the building, lowering his phone from his ear, and Luca could only stare. “You’re still here.”

  “Of course.” He took an uncertain step forward, slipping his phone into his pocket. “Is Jude...?”

  “She’s okay.” Luca wiped at his suddenly leaky eyes, embarrassed by the shake in his voice. “They said she’s going to be okay.”

  Theo relaxed, puffing out a breath. “Thank God.”

  “I—” His voice cracked, emotions slipping free. He ached to be held, terrified by the swell of raw need. “Theo...” And then he was moving, and Theo was moving, and they crashed into each other’s arms in a fierce, rib-crushing embrace.

  “Okay,” Theo whispered. “Okay, I’m here.”

  Luca had never felt more grateful and terrified in his life.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Jude was sleeping. The doc said she’d be in the hospital for a couple more days while they ran tests to decide how best to treat her condition, but otherwise she was going to be okay. She’d been given pain relief and either that, or the stress of the day, or the condition itself, had knocked her out.

  The relief left Luca drained. He sat next to the bed, eyes unfocused, aware of his mom’s gray face in his peripheral vision and the steady beep of the heart monitor. Theo had taken Don home a couple hours ago, because the Majestic couldn’t be left unattended all day, and Luca had taken over at Jude’s bedside. But Theo had promised to come back. He wasn’t allowed through to see Jude—family only—but Luca knew he’d be outside, waiting. And that meant more to him than he dared think about.

  Instead, he held Jude’s hand, her fingers cool and bony, and his eyes filled, throat tightening at the thought she’d kept her illness from him.

  “Luca?” His mom blinked open drowsy eyes.

  “Hey.” He scooted closer, cupping her hand in both of his. “I’m here.”

  She offered a weak smile. “Sorry about all this.”

  “Don’t be stupid. How are you feeling?”

  Her free hand flopped on the bed, as if she were trying to make a gesture. “Tired,” she said. “Can’t keep my eyes open.”

  “Then you should sleep.” He squeezed her fingers. “The doc said you’re doing really well. You’ll be able to come home soon.”

  “That’s good.” Another smile. “Is Don here?”

  Luca’s gaze slipped away from her, focusing on her frail fingers. “He went home for a while, but he’ll be back soon.”

  She sighed, her body sinking deeper into the mattress. “How will he ever manage the hotel?”

  “I’ll help him,” Luca said, self-conscious about saying it—about having to say it because his help wasn’t a natural assumption. “We’ll keep the place running, Mom, don’t worry.”

  Her fingers gave his a feeble squeeze. “But what about Theo? I need—”

  “Shh.” He leaned over to kiss her forehead. “It can wait. No one’s making any decisions until you’re on your feet. You mustn’t worry, okay? I’ve got this.”

  She smiled and despite her waxy complexion the expression lit her face. “Thank you, Luca.”

  The curtain around her bed twitched back and Dr. Anderson appeared. She looked tired and Luca wondered how long she’d been working, but she had a smile for them as she said, “We’re moving Judy up to Cardiac now, Luca. She needs her rest, but you can come back and visit in the morning.”

  He squeezed Jude’s hand again, standing up. “Do what the doc says, okay? Rest.”

  “It’s not like I have much choice.”

  Bending down, he kissed her again. “I love you, Mom.”

  “Love you, too, honey.”

  Afterward, he made his way back to the waiting room. Theo sat—well, slumped—in one of the plastic chairs, head to one side and eyes closed. Luca smiled despite his own weariness, and sat down next to him. “Hey.”

  “Oh, hey.” Theo blinked open his eyes and sat up. “Everything okay?”

  Luca nodded. “They’ve taken Mom up to the cardiac unit and told me to go home.” Outside, the sun had almost set, long shadows streaming across the parking lot. He felt like he’d been in the hospital for days. Next to him, Theo stretched, shaking himself awake. Luca smiled. “Hungry?”

  “Starving, actually.”

  They ate at the Rock House, in one of the back booths. With Callaghan and his new husband off on their honeymoon, New Milton was empty of his fans and the bar was quiet. So was Theo, but Luca figured they were both tired. He was quiet, too.

  Later, they headed down to the beach, holding hands in the dark. There was no moon, its absence allowing the stars to take center stage and the ocean to disappear into the black horizon. Theo kept a death grip on Luca’s hand as they walked down the uneven steps from the boardwalk onto the soft, giving sand at the top of the beach and he didn’t let go even once they’d reached the firmer ground of the foreshore. Luca had no objections.

  Wet sand glistened underfoot as they walked barefoot, holding their shoes. Distant lightning flashed on the horizon and Luca could smell rain in the air, felt the incoming storm like static across his skin.

  After a while, Theo spoke. “I talked to my dad,” he said, his voice subdued. “Lux is going to back off. We’re still interested, but we can wait for Jude’s answer until she’s well.”

  Luca glanced at him, surprised. “Really?”

  “Promise.” Theo flashed a quick smile. “Dealing with us is the last thing any of you need right now.”

  “No kidding.” Luca squeezed his hand, smiling back. “This is your doing, huh?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Maybe yes.” Luca slowed, tugging Theo to a halt so he could look at him. “I know things will have to change around here now. I know there’s no avoiding it, but it’ll be good to have some time before we need to decide. I appreciate you giving it to us, Theo. Thank you.”

  Coming to stand before him, Theo took both his hands and looked up at him. His gaze was troubled, his grip too tight. “Of course, it means Dad wants me back in the office ASAP.”

  Luca’s heart jolted. He hadn’t even considered it, but with Jude out of commission there was zero reason for Theo to stay in New Milton. “Right,” he said, pulling his hands free and turning away to hide the hurt he had no right to feel. Taking a deep breath, he gazed out over the water, watching the seafoam glint in the starlight, and tried to get his emotions under control. Beneath his bare feet, the wet sand felt cold, his feet sinking. He pulled free, moving to find a firmer place to stand. “When are you—?”

  “The car’s coming tomorrow morning. Early.”

  “Okay.” And that was that, Theo was leaving.

  After a long pause, Theo said, “What will you do once Jude’s back on her feet? Head west?”

  “Sure.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, tried to tamp down the rising sense of panic. Theo was leaving. Of course he was leaving; he was always going to leave. What else had he expected? That had been the whole point of their agreement. “I mean, it’s not like I’m gonna stay here or...or anything.”

  “No,” Theo said quietly. “Once Jude’s settled, why would you?”

  Luca swallowed, feelings churning hard. “I don’t want to go,” he blurted, turning back to face him. “I wish I didn’t have to. I wish the Majestic was still going to be mine, and the last five years had never happened. I wish—”

  I wish I had the guts to tell you how I feel.

  “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride,” Theo said quietly.

  Luca smiled; it felt sickly. “That your way of telling me to get over myself? Let Mom sell up and put it all behind me?”

  Theo didn’t answer right away, thinking it through, perhaps, and when Luca glanced over he found Theo’s watchful eyes fixed on him. “Professionally speaking,” he said, “I should say yes to that. But, personally, I think you should do whatever makes you happy.”

  “Even if...?” Breath stilling, he lifted his hand to Theo’s face, the evening shadow on his jaw rough against his palm. “Even if I’m afraid of what makes me happy?” His pulse quickened at his daring, at this near confession of the truth: you make me happy.

  Theo looked up at him, shadowed eyes unreadable. “Well,” he said, “you can’t beat carpe diem for an inspirational quote.”

  Luca laughed, but it was more misery than humor. With a frustrated groan, he pulled Theo into his arms and crushed their mouths together, breathing in his sharp exhalation and nipping at his bottom lip. Theo surged forward into the kiss, his eager, reckless passion making everything twice as hot, as if he couldn’t get enough, couldn’t stop or control himself until he was sated. Luca staggered, breathless beneath Theo’s enthusiasm, goose bumps racing along his arms, across the back of his neck, flashing over the top of his skull. Desire, yes, red and full-blooded, but so much more than that. So very much more.

  “Come to bed with me.” Theo pulled Luca’s head down, pressing their foreheads together, his fingers biting into Luca’s skin. “I want everything with you tonight, Luca. I want it all.”

  And, God, so did Luca. Even if the morning was going to kill him.

  Chapter Twenty

  It’s our last night.

  The thought circled, but it was far away and Theo could ignore it if he closed his eyes and focused on the sensation of Luca’s mouth pressing kisses into the sensitive crease of his thigh.

  “Are you sure?” Luca’s voice rumbled, thick with desire, the words hot against Theo’s skin.

  All Theo managed to say in response was “Mmm-hmm” as he groped for Luca’s head, knotting his fingers into his hair. But he did want it, he wanted Luca inside him—he wanted everything on this last night because they would never have it again. And that all but broke him, heightened every emotion until he felt stripped and raw. But he couldn’t stop. Hoarding it against the coming dawn, he wanted every last moment of his time with Luca—every kiss, every caress, every cry. “Give me something to remember,” he said, squeezing his eyes shut against the terrible ache in his chest and the intense sensation of Luca’s openmouthed kisses along his hipbone, sucking small bruises into his skin.

  Luca huffed, somewhere between a laugh and a hiss. Had Theo’s fingers clenched too tightly into his hair? He let go, embarrassed. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” Luca looked up, his eyes dark save the corona of silver around his lust-blown pupils. “I like it. I love how responsive you are.” He shifted on the bed, kneeling up between Theo’s thighs and staring down at him.

  In the lamplight, Luca was all bronze and gold, once more the demigod Theo had first met. Unruly hair fell over his forehead, shadowing his face, the muscled plains of his chest hard and gleaming but his smile soft and all for Theo. Heart filling fit to burst, Theo lifted a hand and trailed his fingers over Luca’s taut stomach, up to his pecs. “You’re so beautiful,” he breathed. “Like a Greek sculpture.”

  Luca swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing, and spread his hands over Theo’s body, sliding them slowly from ribs to hips, making Theo arch up off the bed with an involuntary gasp. “I love touching you,” Luca said, his broad hands wide as he palmed them back along Theo’s ribs, up over his chest to his shoulders, then sweeping back down across his belly, so lightly—like feathers—that Theo squirmed and barked a ticklish laugh. “Yeah.” Luca smiled, smoothing his hands down Theo’s thighs. “I love it. I love—” He bent down, touching his forehead to Theo’s chest, pressing his lips over Theo’s pounding heart. Theo wondered whether he could hear its racing beat, whether Luca would know it was beating only for him. “I love it.”

  “I love it, too,” Theo said, letting his own hands range across Luca’s broad back. “I love you touching me.” I love you, full stop. God help me, but I do. He swallowed hard, struggling to get a grip, trying not to betray his unruly feelings. “I’ll, uh—I’ll love it even more when you’re fucking me.”

  Luca’s laugh rumbled through Theo’s palms, still pressed against his back, and it made Theo laugh, too. Laugh or cry. He could hardly tell the difference, it was all an emotional cacophony.

  Luca was a skillful lover, he took his time, and although it had been a while since Theo had done this with anyone—not even Grant—Luca soon had him relaxed and open, yearning for more. But at the last moment, Theo twisted onto his stomach. “From behind,” he said, burying his face into the pillows. He knew he wouldn’t be able to hide his feelings if they fucked face-to-face. Luca would see everything.

  After a long pause, Luca said, “Sure.” Theo’s stomach dropped and he closed his eyes. Shit, was that disappointment in Luca’s voice? But then Luca ran his palm along Theo’s spine, curling fingers over his waist and hipbone. “Your back’s so fucking sexy,” he said, gripping Theo’s hips, tugging him up onto his knees, pushing his legs wider apart. “Fuck,” Luca breathed, the blunt pressure of his cock nudging against Theo’s entrance. With a groan, Theo pressed back against him, grunting as anticipation skittered along his nerves. “You want this?” Luca whispered, both hands skimming over Theo’s back now, his voice uneven. “Tell me you want it, Theo.”

 

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