Lahat ng Kabanata ng Can I ride you, Luca?....Craving my best friend’s brother: Kabanata 261 - Kabanata 265

Emma’s POVThe glow of my laptop screen was the only source of light in our oceanfront study.Outside, the Pacific Ocean crashed softly against the Malibu rocks in the dark, but inside, my fingers flew across the keyboard like they were on fire. For the first time in three days, the crushing weight in my chest was gone. The anxiety, the headlines, the toxic comments—it all melted away into the blank document in front of me.I wasn't writing a defensive press statement. I wasn't writing a tearful apology to satisfy bloodthirsty internet trolls.I was writing our story."You haven't come to bed, heartbeat."A low, familiar voice broke the quiet room. I turned my head to see Luca standing in the doorway, wearing only a pair of dark grey sweatpants, his chest bare, his dark hair messy from sleep. He crossed the hardwood floor with quiet, barefoot strides, stopping right behind my leather desk chair."What time is it?" I asked, leaning my head back against his stomach."Past three in the m

Emma’s POVThe morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of our Manhattan penthouse, painting the bedroom in warm shades of gold. I stretched against the silk sheets, a slow smile spreading across my face as Luca’s arm tightened around my waist, pulling me back against his chest."Morning, Mrs. Carter," he murmured into my neck, his voice raspy with sleep. "You look thoroughly satisfied.""That's because my husband knows how to celebrate a number-one bestseller," I teased, turning in his arms to kiss his jawline."Always," Luca chuckled, his deep green eyes locking onto mine. "Now get up, heartbeat. We have a flight back to Malibu. Your birthday is in two days, and if I don't get you home, your brother and sister might actually tear the house down trying to set up the party."---Forty-eight hours later, our Malibu estate was filled with the scent of fresh flowers, loud laughter, and the chaotic energy of our entire family."If anyone drops my niece, heads will roll!" my sister

Emma’s POVFour years later."Christian! Put Uncle Leo’s watch down right now, or I’m telling Daddy!" five-year-old Aurelia called out across the sun-drenched Malibu lawn, her little hands planted firmly on her hips."I didn't steal it! It's a shiny treasure!" three-year-old Christian protested, his dark green eyes—an exact copy of Luca's—glowing with mischievous glee as he sprinted past the infinity pool in his tiny swim trunks.Right behind him, his twin sister, Sophia, came barreling down the grass with a handful of melting chocolate ice cream, leaving a trail of sticky fingerprints all over Uncle Leo’s linen pants as she tackled his leg."Oh, come on!" Leo groaned, dropping to his knees on the grass as both twins climbed onto his back like little monkeys. "I am a high-powered executive intern, not a jungle gym!""You're a terrible jungle gym, Uncle Leo!" Sophia giggled, wiping her chocolate-covered mouth right onto his shoulder."She definitely inherits her threat assessment from y