✧

I have big plans for Luca tonight, he just doesn't know it yet.

I've been on the phone to my accountant, solicitor and lawyers all week and I'm in desperate need of some alone time with the one person who can make me smile after a stressful few days.

Chessman's is officially being transferred into my name. At first I was convinced that Hazel wasn't going to let me help because of how defensive and prideful she had been but after a while, I managed to get her to see what she'll be forfeiting.

Inside I'm relieved that they trust me enough to put their business in my name–not that it'll be for long. Only so I can pay off what's left of their mortgage and any other fees they have outstanding.

Soon, with everything paid off, they'll be able to enjoy Chessman's without having to worry about how they're going to pay for next month. Instead they can focus solely on the business and allow it to grow in the way they want without the thought of money looming over their heads.

They've been thankful. I've lost count how many times I've heard that word this week.

I know Hazel is going to attempt to pay back the money that she owes me but right now I don't care about that. I'm happy to help where I can. Not that I'm flashing my wealth around because that isn't a part of me whatsoever, but if I have the money and I can do something for a family that deserves it... then I'm going to do it.

I'm just relieved that they let me. I didn't want to get forceful.

But with everything in process, I want some quality time with Luca. He deserves it, I deserve it, we both deserve it. And I think he's going to enjoy what I've got up my sleeve for tonight.

As I stroll into the cafe at five thirty, Luca beams at me though his eyes are red from his tiredness. Always putting on a face of welcome and happiness. It makes my insides clench and I want nothing more than to kiss him until he has to pause for breath.

"Hey," he says as I approach the counter. "I didn't think I was seeing you today?"

I shrug simply. "Yeah, you are. I've got plans for us."

Luca tilts his head, eyes glimmering from the lights. "Plans?" He says hopefully.

"Mmm hmm," I drop my eye into a wink.

"Where are we going?"

"Out."

He rolls his eyes but a smile resides on his face. "That's not helpful. Are we going straight away?"

I nod and he gasps, looking down at his clothes. "I can't go out looking like this, Declan. I smell like mayonnaise and coffee."

A low chuckle erupts from my chest, I raise the paper shopping bag in my hand. "Which is why I came to bring you this." I say before placing it onto the counter and dropping the handles.

His brows furrow as he studies the bag, then he flicks his gaze to mine and then the bag and my eyes again. "Did–" he cuts himself off to close his eyes for a moment, trying to gauge the situation. "Did you go out to buy these?"

"Yeah," I flash him a grin, leaning on the counter as I admire his stunned face. "Sure did."

"Declan–"

"Open it," I urge.

Luca studies my face then places a hand on his hip. "Why did you do this?"

"Because I wanted to," I state simply, not letting my smile slip for a second. "Am I not allowed to buy you things?"

"Not if you don't tell me where we're going," he raises a brow, trying to work his magic on me.

I shake my head once and straighten my spine. "That's a surprise."

Luca huffs out a small breath. "I don't like surprises," his lips twist downwards into a pout and it's the most adorable thing I've ever seen. I lean over the counter and peck his mouth because they're begging to be kissed. His eyes open in awe. "I never have."

My hand raises to caress his cheek. "Trust me."

His eyes move between mine slowly before he inhales. "Fine. But I need to shower, I'm so gross and I don't want to emit these odours."

I kiss him again as I laugh. "You don't smell that bad."

"Emphasis on the 'that bad'." He groans against me, I can't stop beaming at him.

"Let's swing by my place first, you can shower and then we can head out."

Luca presses his lips together. "Okay, I need to close up first."

"Let me help," I say as I move to the till and begin to cash up as he sweeps the floor and mops up all the sticky patches.

Soon we're in my car on the way to my house as Luca strums his fingers across his thigh. "Don't be nervous," I say as I pull onto my road, spinning the wheel around with the palm of my hand.

"I can't help it," he pouts again. I bite on my lip to stop myself from leaning over and pinching his cheeks to release them from that torture trap that lives in my goddamn mind.

"Stop doing that," I say as I turn back to the road and park up outside my house. "It's very distracting."

Luca touches his lip and glances at me. "Pouting?"

"Yes," I nod once, flicking my eyes down to the way he's caressing them. "Keep doing it and I'll give you something real to pout about."

He blinks rapidly, pulling back. "Like what?"

I lean in, brushing my lips against his but so featherlight you can barely feel it. My jaw clenches as I focus in on his glowing blue eyes, waiting in anticipation for what I'm about to unleash on him. "Like not allowing you to come for a week."

Luca whimpers against me. "No–" he pants a little breathlessly.

My lips form a devilish smirk. "You wanna bet?"

"No," he shakes his head, practically begging me not to test him. "I won't do it again."

I groan internally and kiss him this time. I'll let him come later, except he's going to have to do an awful lot of begging to get there. He already knows it, orgasms will be earned. Always.

"Come on," I beckon my head towards my house as I unlock the door to my car.

Luca stays still for a moment and I breathe through my nose sharply, lips slanted to one side as I watch him. Stunned. Truly stunned. If only he knew the full, unleashed version of myself. I'm not sure he'll be able to handle it.

✧

"We're going to see Hamilton?!" Luca exclaims as we get out of the car and stand right outside the theatre, the sign up in lights.

I grin at his excitement. "Yeah, what do you think?"

He whimpers. "What do I think?" I watch his eyes as they begin to tear up. "I have never been to the theatre. I've never been able to afford it but always wanted to go."

I take his hand in mine, rubbing my thumb across his knuckles gently. "I remember when you told me how you loved drama growing up and I thought I'd take you to see a show. Hamilton is meant to be amazing."

Luca claps a hand over his mouth and then jumps up, wrapping his arms around my neck. "Oh my God," his body shakes as I press a hand to his back and pull him into me. "Fuck. Declan, thank you. Oh god, I'm crying."

My lips press to his neck. "You deserve it."

His head shakes. "You have no idea how much this means to me," we pull away slowly, his eyes still gleaming. I press the pad of my thumb to his cheek, catching a single tear. "Tickets are so expensive."

"Don't worry about that," I say softly. "Tonight is about us. Enjoy it."

Luca presses his lips to mine in a long and bruising kiss. "You are the best. Truly the best. No one else could possibly compare."

"Good," I nod, pecking his mouth once more. "Because I'm not sharing you. Not ever."

He sniffles gently and then we take each other's hands before walking into the foyer of the theatre.

Little does he know that I got the best seats in the house.

✧

Luca cried pretty much the entire time, his eyes not moving from the stage for a second. Our hands lay tangled on his lap and he wiped his eyes with his vacant hand. The warmth of joy that spread throughout my chest as I watched him devour every moment.

To say he loved it would be an understatement.

When we leave the theatre he's silent. In awe, amazed. I allow him to have this moment because I know how high his emotions are right now. It's not until we get picked up by my driver that he turns to me.

"That was–" he opens his mouth and then nothing else comes out.

I laugh softly. "Speechless?"

All he can do is nod. "Yeah," he exhales, settling back into the seat. "I just–" he pauses. "I am–" another pause.

My hand takes his and I bring them up to my lips, placing a delicate kiss on his skin. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"More than that," his eyes stare forward. "I lived it."

I kiss him again, drowning in his happiness.

On the journey home we discuss his favourite parts and I love listening to him talk, so passionate. I can't wait to take him to see more shows because this is only the beginning–there is an entire world he hasn't experienced yet.

As we pull up outside my house, I thank the driver and step onto the pavement. I glance up at the night sky, rain pouring so heavily that it's all that I can hear around us. The fresh smell of rainwater hitting the ground and the coolness of the air.

Luca shrieks at the rapid raindrops. The car moves away from the road and before he can rush up to the steps of my house, I grip his wrist and tug him backwards. "Declan, it's pouring."

I couldn't give a shit about that. Instead I place my hands against his damp face and tilt his gaze to mine. My head lowers and I kiss him, tasting the droplets on his mouth. He hums in surprise as I take control of the kiss, nice and slow.

He relaxes into me, my tongue invading his mouth. I grip him tight and savour this moment as my heart sings in my chest. I pull away slowly and stare down at him, the street lamps glowing against his beautiful face.

"Luca," I say over the loud rain. "Will you make me stupidly happy and be my boyfriend?"

His eyes widen, wet lashes brushing his cheek. "Yeah," his voice is strangled. "Fuck. I've wanted to be your boyfriend for the longest time."

My smile stretches so big it almost reaches my eyes, relief washing over me. I knew he'd say yes but this moment couldn't be more perfect. I take his lips in mine once more, sealing it with a fierce kiss.

The world drowns out around us. The moment just for us. It's ours.

He trembles against me, withering into the kiss. "This night has been amazing," he whispers, then kisses me again. "So fucking amazing. You're amazing."

I lean down and hoist him up against my body, his legs wrapping around my waist. I carry him effortlessly to my house, being careful of the steps as I carry us. Our mouths still entwined as we live off this moment.

"You're so fucking romantic," he mumbles, fingers buried into the back of my hair. "You catch me by surprise, Declan Nash."

Hearing my full name roll off his tongue makes me shudder and it has nothing to do with my soaked clothes and cold skin. It has everything to do with him and how he makes me feel so fucking alive.

He tells me all the time that I changed his life but little does he know he regenerated mine.

✧

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Author's Note

Ahhhh they're officially boyfriends🥹

Why is Declan so fucking cute? I actually can't✨

What did you guys think?👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

It's the little things, Declan remembering what Luca said about loving drama ughhhh they're so perfect

AND THE RAIN. YES YES YES

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Love Savanna x

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