I woke up with a start as if I'd forgotten something important. Then all the memories of the previous night flooded back into my head as well as the decision I decided to take. Guts over fear. I sighed and stood up to go to the bathroom.

I peeked my head out my room door and the house was oddly silent. I walked over to the bathroom and began brushing my teeth. After I brushed, I showered and changed.

I went downstairs and peeped my head into the living room. It was empty. I walked over to the kitchen and all I was met with was the cold draft in the room.

Where did everyone go?

Well, wherever they went they would come back. I continued my mission of looking for breakfast. I hadn't eaten properly in two days and I doubted that would be any different today.

I was going to talk to Luca. At first, I was hesitant, but then not clearing all of this up was giving me anxiety and I only had three days. I needed to say everything on my mind. I felt like I was going to explode and I couldn't deal with the pressure.

I heard the front door open followed by voices. "Thank you boys for coming shopping with me," came my mother's voice.

"No problem Maggie," I heard Luca say. The way they spoke reminded me of how Charlotte took a quick liking to me and I to her.

They walked into the kitchen and my mother smiled at the sight of me. "Peanut you're up."

I caught Luca's eye and his eyes shone in amusement at my mother calling me that. They left the paper bags full of groceries on the counter. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve.

My mother left the kitchen and Luca still had that stupid smirk on his face. I glared at him. "Well, I ur have to go... sort out something..." James cleared his throat and I didn't miss the mischievous smile on his face as he so conveniently left the kitchen.

I turned around and began looking for the cereal. I didn't usually eat cereal for breakfast but since my aunt, would be by soon. I needed to eat quickly.

I found the sealed box of cereal on the top shelf of the cupboard. I reached for it my fingers barely brushing the box. I saw a hand go above my head and grab the box. I turned around and Luca dropped his eyes to mine. His other free hand held onto the edge of the counter next to me.

His eyes lingered on mine for a second and my heart rate increased at how close we were suddenly standing. His scent hit me at once, ensnaring my senses and I didn't realize how much I missed it until I smelt it again.

He brought his lips close to my ear. His closeness making me feel like I was charged with static electricity with all the hair on my body standing. "Good morning princess," he whispered as if it were an important secret.

My throat felt dry and when he pulled back to look at me his fingers brushed the side of my face causing my cells to dance under his touch as he tucked my hair behind my ear. He rolled his bottom lip into his mouth and his eyes fell to my lips again. He came so close to me that I could feel the slight tickle of his breath and I could almost taste the mint. My eyes involuntarily shut as my hand fell back on the counter gripping it for balance. My legs felt weak. "Open your eyes," he whispered, his minty breath fanning my face. My heart quivered at the sound of his voice. "I won't kiss you," he admitted and my eyes opened on an account of those words. I felt like I couldn't breathe with how fast my heart was beating. "I'll never try to kiss you again princess," he kept his voice as a mere whisper. His words hurt and I felt what could only be described as regret. "If you want to kiss me you'll have to make the first move," he smiled and I gulped, looking away from the intensity in his forest eyes. I was going to get lost in the forest and succumb to its elements at this rate. He cupped my cheek in his hand to make sure I kept eye contact with him. His thumb massaged my cheek making my skin cells buzz. "Are you going to make the first move?" His nose brushed mine.

I heard footsteps and then my mother and James's voice. Luca took three steps back from me but he still held my eyes with his own.

My mother and James walked into the kitchen and I broke eye contact with Luca. It was not fair. His eyes captivated and consumed me from the first day. I couldn't help but be entranced by them.

"So," my mother said and I forced a smile on my face. "How did you three meet?"

"The first day I went to New York," I stuttered. I realized we never told anyone the truth about how we met. The memory of our first meeting still hadn't returned to me. So only Luca had the advantage of knowing everything that happened that night. "That party I went to," I told my mother and she nodded.

"Good morning my beautiful ladies," Came my aunt's voice. She walked into the kitchen and then stalled at the sight of James and Luca. "Oh hello," she smiled sheepishly.

"Hi," both men chimed in unison.

"Aubrey this is Liz's friends. Luca and James," my mother introduced.

"Uh-huh," my aunt sounded as she looked between me and Luca. "Friends," she quirked an eyebrow and I looked away. She chuckled and a slight blush crept its way up on my neck. I caught Luca still staring at me from the corner of my eye.

He wasn't helping the situation just making it worse and confirming what my aunt was probably thinking. The woman was hard to lie to. She was perceptive.

"So Luca," she started. "What are your intentions with my Lizzy?" my aunt kept her voice as casual as she could and I saw my mother smirk.

"Don't start Aubrey. Leave the children alone," my mother tried to sound like she was against my aunt's prying but the tug at her lips gave her away and then realization dawned on me. My mother probably shared the same thoughts as Aubrey but was discreet.

"Oh don't act like you don't want to know Mags."

Luca cleared his throat. "I have no ill intentions. I care deeply about her but whether she feels the same remains a mystery," he smirked at me and I heard my aunt and mother giggle like two school girls.

"He's very handsome too. My Lizzy has great taste," my aunt spoke and my eyes widened. I wanted nothing more at that moment for a light to shine down from the heavens and beam me up.

Beam me up, Scotty!

"Aubrey," my mother laughed.

I cleared my throat and caught Luca's eye once again. He had a broad smile on his face. "We should probably leave," I told my aunt. "Percy and Andrew must be waiting."  I could feel the heat in my cheeks and shudder at the thought of standing like an overly ripe tomato in front of them all for another second.

"Oh yes, I forgot. We should stop by the store and get some small paintbrushes," my aunt sighed, massaging her head with one hand.

She looked tired and small dark circles formed their way around her eyes. My mother and aunt resembled each other but it wasn't that obvious. The only features they had in common were their eyes and hair color. Their facial structure was different. My mother had high sharp cheekbones and my aunt had a small heart-shaped face. 

"How's it coming, Aubrey?" My mother asked her and my aunt shook her head.

"It's coming along but I'm not sure the house will be ready by Christmas."

"If you need an extra hand I'll be more than willing to help," Luca volunteered.

"Me too," James chimed in and my aunt smiled.

Luca caught my eye and I gave him a small nod of gratitude which he returned with a small smile.

My aunt beamed. "It's like Santa sent his two elves to rescue me," she paused when she realized how tall James and Luca were. "Freakishly tall elves," she corrected and both men chortled.

So that was it. It was set in stone that the rest of the day would be spent with Luca and my family. He seemed to be very chummy with my mother and that brought a weird flutter to my stomach that they were getting along, but whether he would manage to impress the rest of my family was still yet to be determined.

I needed to talk to Luca about everything. Luca didn't bluff. I knew he would be gone in three days if I didn't give him my answer. We had the entire day together and I was sure I would get a chance to talk to him.

I got into the front seat of my aunt's car and Luca and James got into the back seat. "So you boys from England?" My aunt questioned noticing their accent.

"Yea," they both spoke at the same time.

"Which part?" She asked.

"Liverpool," Luca answered.

She asked them general questions. She wanted to know if they ever met any members of the royal family and they both chuckled shaking their heads as a no.

"If I had a pound for every time an American has asked me that," James smiled.

"You boys get that alot huh?"

"More often than one would think," Luca answered this time. 

My aunt pulled into her driveway and we got out of her car. Percy and Andrew were at work again. This time painting the front of the house. My aunt had chosen a grayish-blue color to paint the house.

Percy and Andrew looked up as they heard the car doors close. They began to walk over to us. "Hey," Percy greeted.

"I see you brought back up," Andrew mentioned lightly.

"Yeah ur these are my friends. Luca and James," I introduced. "And these are my cousins Percy and Andrew."

The men greeted each other shaking hands and then my aunt suddenly got back into her car. "Crap I forgot to stop at the store. Be back kids," she said and reversed out the driveway.

"Well at this rate we'll be done in no time," Percy sighed. "The paint is in the back. Thank you guys for helping."

"Not a problem mate," James said and Percy and Andrew shared a look.

"No way dude they English," Andrew said in awe causing a chuckle from both James and Luca. "Premier League is the best soccer league in the world," Andrew continued.

"The boy is a football fan," James smiled.

"Let me guess. Manchester City," Luca smiled wryly.

"How'd you know?" Andrew asked in fascination. "Do I look like one of those fans?"

Luca chuckled. "I've versed Liz in a few FIFA matches and she's always picked them. She told me that she used to play with her cousin."

Andrew smiled proudly. I was waiting for the part for Luca to say I wasn't any good but it never came. I watched as my cousins hit it off with Luca and James. Well, mostly Andrew. Percy was quiet as his eyes lingered on Luca and me a few times.

I didn't know what gave it away that there was something between me and Luca was it because we were always standing near each other. I looked at how close Luca was standing to me and realized if I moved my elbow I'd brush his arm.

I sighed happily that the men were getting along. I moved to go paint the back of the house and of course, my second shadow followed after me. It was fine though because we needed to talk.

I moved to get the ladder and Luca stopped me, getting it himself. "Tell me what you want to do with this ladder and I'll do it," he said.

"You know I'm more than capable of handling myself."

"I never disputed that I'm simply being a gentleman," he smiled. I wanted to scream at him for being so nice all of a sudden. This was his plan to play with my head.

"Cut the corners," I told him and moved to get a tray and paintbrush so that I could start the wall as well.

He moved to pull off his hoodie but he stopped momentarily. I watched him as his hand gripped the fabric contemplating whether to remove it or not. He shook his head an expression that was unreadable formed on his face and he let the material go before climbing up the ladder.

I waited for the right moment to talk to Luca while we worked but it never came just as I was about to muster up the courage. Percy or Andrew would walk over. Other than that we worked fast. The six of us completed painting the house and my aunt beamed with happiness. She couldn't believe that we finished the work in one day.

She drove me, Luca, and James back to my mother's, and I slumped into the house exhausted as the two men trailed behind me. "How was it?" My mother asked popping her head out of the kitchen.

"We done." The exhaustion weighed down on my voice as we continued to walk up the stairs.

After we all showered and had dinner. I walked back up to my room. Day one was coming to a close and I still hadn't mustered up the courage to talk to Luca. I practiced in my head all the things I'd ask him and say to him.

A light knock came on my room door and I reluctantly got out of my bed and pulled it open to see Luca. He was dressed in a gray hoodie and black cuffed jeans this time.

He had both his hands in his pockets and I stepped aside letting him into my room. He walked in and looked around before plopping himself on my bed. "I miss sharing a room with you," his voice was soft. That statement already had my heartbeat dancing to the sound of his voice.

I sat on the bed across from him and folded my legs. "I wanted to talk to you," I cleared my throat awkwardly.

"I know," he smiled.

"How?"

He paused and looked me over. A small smile playing on his lips. "Every time you approached me today you tried to say something but you were interrupted."

"I can't believe you came all this way for me," I mumbled under my breath.

I heard him sigh. It felt nice not to be awkward or angry at each other. "I've made plenty of mistakes in my life. But I can guarantee you won't be one of them." I looked up at him to see his eyebrows knitted together at the seriousness in his voice.

"I'm sorry I left without saying goodbye," I told him and he touched my cheek with the back of his hand. The simple action had my skin humming and warming under his touch.

A smile formed on his face. "It's never really goodbye with us anyway."

"How will I know you wouldn't lose interest in me?" I asked and his brows knitted together and he moved closer to me.

He picked up my hand and placed it on his chest. "The day I leave you will be the day this stops beating," he said and I could feel how fast his heart was beating.

He seemed anxious.

"You just know all the right things to say," I quirked an eyebrow at him and he chuckled.

"I'm being entirely honest with you."

Maybe I was the stupidest person on the planet, falling into a trap for the second time. But as I stared into Luca's eyes and saw the stress of the situation weigh down on his features... I believed him.

"Are you sure you still don't love-"

"No." He cut me off. "Trust me, princess. I have thought about this before acting."

"Do you still want to live in England?"

"I'd miss New York too much," he smiled.

I lurched myself forward and wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him. I was waiting for him to scream April fools I got you, but it wasn't April.

His body froze and I felt his hand come around me slowly hugging me back. "Does this mean you don't want me to leave?" He asked and I nodded. "Does it mean you accepting your feelings for me?" He asked and I pulled back to look at him again.  His green eyes were laced with uncertainty and his eyebrows were dropped in a furrow.

I kissed him on his forehead and a smile cracked on his face as he looked me over. "I figure I should have been more specific when I said you should make the first move."

My entire face heated at the memory of this morning and he raised his hand to caress my cheek as his eyes bore into mine. A smile tugged at his lips and for the first time since he got here, his eyes seemed clear of any ranting emotions.

He brought his face close to mine and his arms around me tightened. His nose brushed mine and my eyes closed. My entire body ignited with energy as every cell in me came alive. I remained still unable to trust myself in ruining the moment or he would never try to kiss me again. I pressed my lips against his and our lips parted.

If every cell in me came alive due to the anticipation, every cell in me was now more than alive. My neurons were electrified as if they all had a can of RedBull. I felt like jelly as if all the bones in my body disintegrated as soon as his lips touched mine.

The kiss was slow as if we had been savoring the moment which we were. Every moment of it had me stunned as I struggled to keep my eyes closed. I wanted so badly to open them to ensure it was actually him. But I tried to remain focused. I focused on his hand that was light on my neck and moving into my hair, I could feel the goosebumps begin to rise.

My heartbeat was out of control and I could hear it in my ears as my entire chest vibrated. I ran my hands up his back until it found its way into his soft luscious hair. I ran his hair through my fingers.

"Hmmm," a sound broke away from my throat and I could feel Luca smiling against my lips. I needed to breathe before I passed out. He pulled away and placed a soft kiss on my lips once more. My eyes remained closed and I bit my bottom lip.

"You can open your eyes now princess," he whispered and my eyes fluttered open to see him grinning from ear to ear.

I gasped for air suddenly aware that I'd been holding my breath during that entire experience. Luca bit down hard on his bottom lip as he looked me over. "What are you smiling about?" My voice sounded strange to my ears. I could feel how hot my cheeks were.

"The same thing you blushing about princess," he winked and I put my face in my hands.

He nudged me."Oh I think I like this new advancement in our relationship," he said removing my hands from my face. "Please don't be shy." He sounded serious. He brought his head to rest against mine. "That was better than I imagined." My heart fluttered at his words. My brain was dumbstruck unable to form a simple sentence. So I nodded. "I should probably go before your mum walks in here," he thought aloud. "I don't want to make a bad first impression." He pulled away from me and stood from the bed and I felt a little sad that he was leaving.

He took both my hands in his and pressed feather-light kisses over my knuckles. "Good night princess." He let go of both my hands and walked out of my room closing the door quietly behind himself.

The heat in my cheeks didn't fade any time soon and I laid down in my bed once again staring at the ceiling. I just kissed Luca and I loved it. My hands immediately went over my face as I couldn't help smiling at the fresh memory.

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A/N

I hope you guys enjoyed that. Please feel free to tell me what you thinking. I'll get back to your comments as soon as I can and don't forget to smash that star button or if you reading on a pc gently click on it.

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