Luca (The Eisenberg Effect #1)

by Grey Huffington

Changed behavior was the only apology I was accepting, now, from myself or anyone else. I deserved that. I owed it to the future me.

“What did he do?” “Killed my ex-boyfriend.” “I’m sorry, what?” I sat up in my seat, trying to gather my thoughts.

Like a sleeping beauty, Lyric’s friend rested comfortably in the passenger seat.

Though I’d try to keep my distance for the sake of it being Lyric’s homegirl, I couldn’t keep any promises – especially not with the way my mind was already recalculating the time I’d promised to spend alone before jumping into anything serious once I got home.

Ever. As the thought crossed my mind, her eyes found mine. Ever. It suited her.

Quickly as it had come, all the shit about her being Lyric’s best friend had gone out the window.

There was one mission in particular that I was exceptionally open to the idea of. It was Ever.

Lyric’s home was full of abstract art, which puzzled me because the man who sat beside me was the epitome of art – real art.

“Look at me,” he challenged, ever so softly.

“You should keep your head up.” Luca pored over my features and said to me, “You’re prettier that way.”

Look at me. His voice rang in my ears. Keep your head up. Visions of Luca appeared behind my lids. You look prettier. Snippets of the few words he’d said to me haunted me. Bringer of light. His haughtiness aroused me. “Ummm.” I squeezed my lids tighter, hoping he’d go away, but he wouldn’t. Ever. I wanted my name to fall from no other man’s lips after it had come from his. It belonged there.

Big, very big, dick energy seeped from his pores. It was apparent in the way he walked. It was apparent in the way he talked. It was apparent in his silence. I’d bet my last dollar that he was holding something vicious between his thighs and after so many years in prison, I was hoping to be the first meal on his menu. I wanted him to split me in two and suck on my private parts like oysters during fine dining.

before I conquered her body, I wanted to conquer her mind. It was the true treasure, and I was after it. All else would

follow.

“You trying to be a stepdaddy, nigga?” Yeah, I thought, but didn’t have to verbalize.

If I wanted you, I wanted everything that came with you. And when you became mine, what was once yours was now both of ours – kids especially.

“What’s her deal?” “She’s fragile, fresh out of a relationship with a man who should’ve never gotten the time of day, but that’s the past.” “Sure the fuck is as long as I got something to say about it.” “They have two children, so not exactly. Although he doesn’t seem to give a damn about them, that fact still remains.” “Sounds like I’ve got two children, then,” I coerced.

“I literally said I just want to see the damn girl. You acting like I said I’d shoot my shot.” “You will!” Lyric and I said simultaneously. “Yeah. I’ma just shut up ’cause y’all right.” “Exactly.” Lyric was tickled as she responded.

“Didn’t think love would come so easily so soon but here we are,” Ever joked with Lyric as she held her arm out.

“Imagine me offering you the world but you’d rather have crumbs because another bird has access. You really not ready.”

“Maybe one day my knight will find me.” I chuckled. “Oh trust me, it’s coming. I can feel it in my bones. Your spirit is too mesmeric. Hell, I’m even drawn to you. It’s going to happen and it’s going to happen fast, darling. Probably when you least expect it, too. This time, though, you’ll attract your forever. It won’t be on that temporary stuff, so I hope you’re ready.”

“Because I’m waiting for you. You the only person I’m trying to fuck in the future.”

“Be ready around seven, tonight. I’m taking you out.” “Are you asking me or telling me?” “I’m telling you because I’m not giving you another chance to tell me you aren’t ready. I know you are. Ready enough, at least.”

“He did,” I told her. “Imagine me offering you the world but you’d rather have crumbs because another bird has access. You really not ready. That’s what he said to me.”

I was getting on Laike’s last nerve. I saw it on his face. “I can’t wait until you finally hit that shit because she got you smiling and singing and shit. I don’t know who the fuck you are right now.”

The nigga who’d played with her had played her right into my arms, and I couldn’t wait to show her what it felt like to fuck with and fuck on a real nigga.

When I got ready to shut off my cell phone’s screen, another message from Laike appeared. I opened it and laughed out loud at his foolishness. Seven. Nigga, you sound like a bitch. Stay off her page, stalking ass nigga.

A thoughtful man was one I’d always seen myself with. One that took the time to make life more meaningful, down to the last second of your day. One that didn’t need to be told what you were into, loved, or wanted to tap into because they paid close enough attention. One that was out for your heart when it came to gifts, birthdays, holidays, and special occasions because it was their time to show just how much you meant to them. It was only day one and Luca had nailed the test.

was thinking on the way over, and I’m not opposed,” she admitted, removing one hand from around my neck and placing it on my hard dick.

“Too fucking late for that Luca shit. Don’t call me again unless you’re cumming on this dick.”

My territory had been marked, and I didn’t play about shit that belonged to me.

“Please don’t wear costume jewelry around me. Never. If there are pieces you prefer, please let me know and I’ll see that you get them.”

I match energies, Ever. There’s no I in team and neither is there a big me, little you. My woman and anyone around me will always be a direct reflection of who I am as a man. If I can’t make sure they’re straight, then I’m not to be trusted.”

“Your woman,” she emphasized. “You thought I was sliding in you raw and leaving my imprint for fun?”

“I fell into my last relationship. I don’t want to fall into another the same way. I want to make things official. I want to be courted and asked to be your girlfriend. I don’t want to just fall into a routine and we call it a relationship.” She spoke her truth, and I was happy that she had.

“Good, because that’s not what I planned to do, either. I’m claiming you because I know you’re mine, not because I’m trying to rob you of those feelings or desires. We won’t fall into a routine and just call it a relationship. I have every intention of making it very fucking obvious when we’re official.”

“But I’m telling you now that we’re exclusive,” I followed up with. There was nothing ...

“My man must worship the ground I walk on. He must give me the same love that I give him. When I’m in love, I’m limitless. I’ll always go above and beyond. I want that reciprocated.”

“It’s your world, Ever. I just live in it. Whatever you heart desires, I’m going to make happen,” I assured her before gently clutching her breast in my hand and placing my mouth over it.

I’d gone from thinking I wasn’t ready for this man to feeling intense emotions at the mere thought of this man. My heart literally hurt as I slid up and down his pole, but not because of heartbreak. It was simply because I knew without a doubt in my mind that I’d found my soul’s mate.

It didn’t matter how fast or how slow we got there, forever would always be our destination.

“I know you’re scared. I know you’re afraid, but I can’t let you allow your past to dictate your future. I’m the real fucking deal, Ever. You won’t find another nigga like me, and I won’t do shit to make you search, either. I’m locked in. I need you to understand that. I’m a fucking boss, baby. Nepotism makes you a boss by association.”

“What will I tell Baisleigh? She’s expecting me this morning. I can’t let her down.” “I hit her up yesterday. I already knew you weren’t going back,” he tossed over his shoulder as he made his way into the bathroom.

“Na. You’ll always be Ever Sinclair. Always. Ever Eisenberg will understand that shit and act accordingly.”

“Look for you a new ride while you’re on the internet doing all that shit. And here. Go get your own fucking computer and all the other shit you need. 1221 is the code.”

“Who gives a damn? You’re sucking rich dick now, babe. Let him worry about the bill.”

“I’m ready,” she proclaimed. “Ready for what, Ever?” I wanted more details. “For whatever your heart desires for me that don’t directly disregard my boundaries or at least take them into consideration.” “Today, I’d like to go to the dealership and get you in a new whip.” “Okay,” she agreed, plain and simple. “I’d also like to get you in your new apartment by the end of the week.” “Okay.” “Within the next six weeks, I want to have your space functional but in the meantime, I want to bring you some customers.”

“I can’t overlook it, Ever, and I’m not going to explain myself to you. Whatever happens, happens. He’d already signed his death certificate when he crossed my city’s limits with hurting the ones I loved on his agenda.” As he concluded, his cell rang. Without even answering it, he looked over at me and smiled. It was the first time I’d seen him smile since the day prior when we parted ways in the early hours before taking the girls to school. “It’s time to go get our girls. Get some rest,” he told me.

She was an angel, and she didn’t mind dancing with a demon. That’s why I’d move mountains, dry seas, and hydrate the desert if it made her happy.

“Can you be me daddy?” Though I was honored, I knew that her line of questioning wasn’t farfetched. She’d seen what type of person her biological father was and didn’t want anything to do with him. I didn’t blame her. What she didn’t understand was that I’d claimed her as mine the day I met her. Just like her mother, she had me mesmerized.