Chapter 311: You Cheeky Girl

Luca had no idea what happened to Benjamin after they left the hotel, nor did he particularly care. As long as Ethan had even a little sense, he would know better than to do anything foolish.

After dinner, Luca took Trish and Rachel to the car, preparing to head home. Arabella still had some work to finish, so she left with her mother in another vehicle.

Once they were on the road, Trish leaned forward from the back seat, trying to catch a glimpse of Luca’s phone.

“Bro, who are you chatting with? You’re so focused.”

Her question immediately caught Rachel’s attention, too.

Unlike Trish, however, Rachel didn’t ask anything. She simply sat quietly, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her skirt as she listened to their conversation. A hint of hesitation crossed her pretty face, and she tried not to make her curiosity too obvious.

Luca noticed both girls’ reactions but didn’t think much of them. With a smile, he handed his phone to Trish.

“It’s Alani Stones. Remember her? The woman we met at the antique market. She’s flying to San Fierro with us tomorrow.”

Trish glanced at the screen before looking up at her brother in disbelief.

“Bro, you’ve found yourself another woman?”

Having met Alani before, Trish remembered her as a strikingly beautiful woman. She also remembered that Luca hadn’t seemed particularly interested in her at the time.

Back then, Trish had even pretended to be Luca’s girlfriend because she thought he didn’t like Alani.

‘What happened? Did my brother suddenly change his mind?’

Or had Alani finally managed to win him over?

Had her brother fallen under the spell of another beautiful woman?

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Luca rolled his eyes. “She’s coming to San Fierro with us, but she’ll be going abroad afterward.”

Did Trish really think he couldn’t control himself around a pretty face?

Come on. He wasn’t that desperate.

Besides, Luca was confident in his ability to resist temptation.

Although, if a truly stunning woman happened to catch his attention, there was no harm in taking a closer look.

“Luca, are you planning to help Miss Stones and Miss Stephanie go abroad together?” Rachel asked.

She quickly understood why Luca was bringing Alani back to San Fierro. Otherwise, there would have been little reason for him to invite her along.

“That’s right.”

Luca smiled and reached over to rub Rachel’s fluffy head.

Trish immediately protested.

“Bro! What about me? I want one, too!”

She grabbed his arm and shook it, pouting when she realized he had rubbed Rachel’s hair but not her’s.

Luca laughed and gave her head a quick pat as well.

The rest of the journey passed with the three of them chatting and laughing.

By the time they returned to the Franco De Santa estate, the household staff had already prepared for their arrival.

“Welcome back, sir.”

“Thank you.”

Luca accepted the warm towel a maid offered him and wiped his face before turning to the housekeeper.

“Miss Stones will be arriving at seven tomorrow morning. If I’m not ready when she gets here, please ask her to wait in the living room.”

“Of course, sir.”

Luca had already sent Alani the estate’s address while they were in the car.

She had repeatedly asked him to confirm that he really lived at Franco De Santa. Apparently, she was worried he might change his mind at the last minute and that his offer had been nothing more than a joke.

Only after he reassured her several times did she finally believe him.

The reality of staying at such a place had clearly caught her off guard. Once she recovered from the initial shock, however, she remembered that she still had luggage to pack and hurriedly ended their conversation.

Luca shook his head with an amused smile before heading upstairs.

“Get some sleep. We have to leave early tomorrow morning.”

He stopped outside the bedroom shared by Trish and Rachel and waved the two girls inside.

He expected them to return to their room as they usually did.

Instead, Trish went in while Rachel remained standing in the hallway, her head lowered.

Her fingers intertwined, separated, and intertwined again. She seemed utterly fascinated by the simple act of playing with her hands.

Luca raised an eyebrow.

He didn’t need to ask what was on her mind.

Ever since Trish had discovered her secret relationship with Luca, Rachel had gradually stopped trying to hide her feelings whenever they were alone together.

Previously, whenever Arabella stayed at the estate, Rachel would obediently share a room with Trish. She had never dared to make her intentions too obvious.

But tonight was different.

Arabella had work to finish, leaving Rachel with an opportunity she wasn’t about to waste.

‘I’m done pretending. Tonight, I’m being honest about what I want!’

Rachel’s cheeks were already turning pink, yet she remained rooted to the spot, clearly hoping Luca would understand her intentions without making her say them aloud.

Trish, who had been watching from the bedroom doorway, finally couldn’t resist asking, “Bro, where are you going to sleep?”

She glanced between Luca and her best friend, then rolled her eyes.

‘Honestly, Rachel. You really have no shame when it comes to romance.’

Come to think of it, she remembered something strange from a previous night.

Rachel had gotten up in the middle of the night, apparently heading to the bathroom. When she returned, she had looked utterly miserable, almost as though she were about to cry.

At the time, Trish hadn’t thought much of it.

Now, however, she couldn’t help wondering whether Rachel had been hiding something.

‘Was she sneaking off to see my brother?’

Perhaps they’d been meeting secretly whenever Arabella wasn’t around.

The thought made Trish narrow her eyes.

‘And here I thought she was just going to the bathroom!’

Luca, meanwhile, pretended not to understand what either girl was thinking.

“Hmm? Where do you want to sleep?”

Trish stared at him.

“By myself!”

She shot a look at Rachel, who seemed to have forgotten that friendship was supposed to involve spending time with your best friend, then turned toward their bedroom.

Before going inside, she deliberately yawned.

“I’m exhausted. I have to get up early tomorrow, so I’m taking a shower and going straight to bed.”

With that, she disappeared into the room.

Creak.

The door closed, leaving Luca and Rachel alone in the hallway.

Rachel still hadn’t raised her head.

Moonlight spilled through the nearby window, faintly illuminating her face. The tips of her ears had turned a delicate shade of pink, and even the fine hairs along their edges were visible.

Luca couldn’t help smiling.

“Still so shy?”

He reached out his hand.

Rachel slowly lifted her gaze, first noticing his outstretched palm before looking up into his dark, bright eyes.

“Come here,” he said softly.

His voice was gentle, almost soothing, and Rachel found herself reaching for his hand before she had even fully considered it.

Luca led her into his bedroom.

It wasn’t until he had closed the door behind them that Rachel realized where she was.

She stood before him for a moment, her fingers curling nervously together. Then, gathering her courage, she looked up at him.

“Luca, I want to kiss you.”

The words came out quietly, but there was a new boldness in her voice.

Luca blinked in surprise before breaking into a smile.

Without another word, he slipped his arms around her and lifted her into his embrace. He carried her to the bed and sat down, settling her comfortably on his lap.

Rachel wrapped her arms around his neck.

Luca tilted his head and kissed her.

“Mmm…”

Rachel closed her eyes, responding eagerly.

She had become much more comfortable with kissing than she had been the first time. She no longer panicked or struggled to catch her breath, and the awkwardness that had once made her stiffen had gradually disappeared.

Instead, she simply enjoyed being close to him.

She loved his scent, the warmth of his embrace, and the way he held her as though there were nowhere else he needed to be.

Before she knew it, she was completely lost in the moment. Her hand begun to wander down.

It was a long while before Luca finally pulled away.

Rachel blinked at him, her lips slightly parted.

“Luca, why did you stop?”

Her tone was full of disappointment.

She wanted more.

Luca chuckled at her expression, but when he glanced down, he couldn’t help raising an eyebrow.

His shirt was rumpled, his belt had come undone, and his zipper had been pulled halfway down.

He looked back at the girl sitting on his lap.

“If we keep going, you’ll have me stripped naked.”

Rachel froze.

Then Luca reached out and gently pinched her soft cheek.

“You little rascal. Who taught you all this?”

Shouldn’t he have been the one taking the initiative?

Somehow, Rachel had managed to turn the tables on him.

“Ahem…”

Rachel immediately turned her face away, her cheeks burning.

After a moment, she leaned forward and planted a quick, sweet kiss on his lips before burying her face against his chest.

Her arms slipped around his back, holding him close.

“Luca, don’t tease me anymore,” she murmured.

Luca smiled and gently stroked her hair.

“Then, shall we go take a shower?”

Rachel hesitated for barely a second before nodding.

“Okay…”