Like No Other Man

Chapter 3

It was the next day when I was at home watching TV with Jonah. I managed to finish work earlier than expected.

I was relaxing and watching cartoons with Jonah when my phone buzzed from getting a message.

I looked down at the screen to see an unknown number. I furrowed my eyebrows as to who it was.

Hello, Ms. Rose. It's Luca and I'm texting you to ask if you're available today. - Luca Derain.

So, I completely forgot about what I said yesterday. I mean was too busy fantasying about his face being in much lower places. Sue me, I'm a 28-year-old woman who hasn't been laid in what feels like centuries.

I replied, telling him I'd see him in an hour.

"Jonah, come on. We're going to Chuck-a-Cheese." I said and Jonah screamed excited.

He ran off to get ready with me right behind him.

~~~~~~

I watched as kids took turns, trying to win as they played dozens of games.

I spotted Luca sitting at a booth and walked over to him while holding Jonah's hand.

"Hey." I said, causing him to look up from his phone.

"Hi." He said, looking up at me.

He got up and smiled at us both. Instead of wearing a suit, he wore a simple t-shirt and jeans. His hair was messy and showed signs of him running his hand through it many times.

"Hey, little man. Do you remember me?" Luca asked, bending down to Jonah's level.

"Yeah! You're that man from yesterday. You were talking to my Mommy." Jonah said,

"That's right. Did she buy you your robot?" He asked,

At the mention of the toy, Jonah's face fell.

"They were all out." He mumbled sadly,

I sighed upset. Last night it took me forever to cheer Jonah up. When we got to the store, we were sadly informed that the toy was sold out. I tried to buy him another one, but he didn't like the rest.

"I'm sorry to hear that, but I have something that'll make you happy again." Luca offered,

I couldn't stop the snort that left my mouth. Luca looked up at me and I looked away.

"This here is a special band. I bought it here for you. You can go on any game you want here for free!" Luca exclaimed, showing Jonah the red band with the mouse on it.

Jonah's face lit up in seconds and he jumped into Luca's arms.

"Thank you so much! You're so cool just like my dad!" Jonah said,

Luca laughed and tied the band around Jonah's small wrist.

I watched as Jonah kissed me goodbye and ran off to play.

Never in my life have I ever seen the boy like that. He hated men. Well, grown men that knew me.

He would run off any man that tried to get close to me no matter who it was, mainly because he thought his father and I were still together. It's the main reason why I'm single. Well, maybe not the main reason, but it's one of the reasons.

But not Luca here apparently.

"Come take a seat." Luca said,

I slid into the booth and watched as he sat down next to me.

Our arms and legs were barely brushing against each other. I shifted a bit further away from him causing him to lowly chuckle.

"So, what do you know so far?" I asked,

"Well, Demetrius Carlson is quite full of himself. 48 years old from Italy and owns a chain of restaurants around the city." Luca said, pulling a notepad from his bag.

I nodded my head and we sat there going over things and sharing thoughts.

After a while, Jonah came running saying he was hungry which got me and Luca into an argument on who should buy the food.

Luca groaned in frustration and threw his hands in the air.

I had to admit; a frustrated Luca was a sexy Luca.

"I'll make you a deal. We'll go to the basketball game and who can ever shoot three hoops into the basket gets to pay." Luca offered,

I bit my lip and looked away upset.

"I don't know how to play basketball." I muttered,

"I'll show you. Let's go." He said and got up.

Jonah got up as well and they waited for me to get up.

I sighed, shaking my head and got up.

"I hate you." I mumbled,

We walked over to the basketball game and Luca went first.

Jonah and I stood on the side watching; Jonah eager to see him play and me sulking knowing I already lost.

Luca grabbed the ball and got into position. With ease and class, he made the three hoops without a single error.

"Wow!" Jonah cheered and ran over to him.

Jonah gushed over his skills and how he never saw anyone play that good.

Luca listened to him wholeheartedly, enjoying the fact that my son was simply making his ego even bigger.

"Your turn." Luca said, smiling up at me.

I huffed and walked over to the spot. I grabbed the ball in my hands, wondering how I was going to do this.

I glanced up to see Luca and Jonah standing on the side waiting for me.

I took a deep breath, looking away.

"You can do this, Charli. Just throw the damn ball into the stupid net and be done with it." I told myself,

I closed my eyes and threw the ball. After a moment of not hearing the wooting sound that indicated that you won, I opened my eyes to see the word 'LOSER' on the board.

"The motivation was nice, and the effort was noticeable." Luca said and I felt him behind me.

My body froze as I felt his hands hold my hips and pull me back to his body.

I silently gasped and looked back up to him. He smiled down at me and I looked away blushing.

"Jonah, hand us a ball please." Luca said,

Jonah nodded his head and rushed to get the ball.

He handed Luca the ball and stepped back.

"Now, place your fingers like this." Luca showed me and I followed his instruction.

"Good." He said and I rolled my eyes at his praise.

He stepped even closer to me making our bodies press against each other. He placed his hands over mine and I closed my eyes at the feeling of his light stubble tickle my cheek.

"Now... bend at the knees. When I tell you jump, you jump, ok?" He said in deeper tone.

I licked my chapped lips as nodded my head.

"Ready... bend... jump." He said and we did at the same time.

I watched as the ball flew through the sky and landed in the hoop.

"Oh my gosh! I did it!" I exclaimed and turned around.

I hugged him tightly and heard him laugh before he wrapped his arms around me.

"Yes, you did it." He said,

Jonah came running over and cheered me on.

"Let's do it again." I said bouncing,

"Alright." He said,

I turned around and we got into position.

Shoot after shoot, Luca helped me make the shots. It was fun and I couldn't stop giggling.

We finally stopped after a while and looked to see all the tickets we won.

We walked back to the booth and I went on rambling of how much fun it was.

Luca smiled the entire time, listening to me talk.

He motioned a waiter over and ordered a pizza for us.

I stopped my rant when I saw him pull out his wallet.

His smirked and looked up at me.

"Please, continue." He said,

"That's not fair." I objected,

"It is fair. I made all three shots in the first try." He said with a smug look on his face.

"I can very well pay for my own things. I don’t need a strangers’ help." I mumbled, crossing my arms.

Luca paused for a moment and looked at me. “Is that how you still see me as? A stranger?” He asked,

Looking away, I bit my lip as I myself thought about it.

Oh come on. I hardly know the guy. So what if he did help throw some hoops and I seem to laugh a lot more with him, but I’m a single mother. I don’t have time to imagine what ifs with a guy… even if my stomach clench with need.

“You know I actually plan to get you know you a whole more. I’ll be more than just a stranger to you.” His voice was soft against my ear and my thighs clenched as I looked at his face with was inches away.

He paid for the food and I was still in shock about what he said, but I shook my head. Thoughts for another time

When the pizza came, I called Jonah over. He sat beside me and thanked Luca.

"Your welcome, buddy." He said,

We ate listening to Jonah talk to about the games.

"I really want to win the new one though." He sighed,

"Then go for it." Luca said,

"I did, but it's really hard." Jonah said,

"How about I help you." Luca offered,

"Just like you helped my mommy! Yes!" Jonah exclaimed and got up.

"He didn't help me!" I yelled after him.

"Sure, I did." Luca said, winking at me.

I glared at him but got up as well.

We walked over to the game where Jonah was bouncing excited to see Luca play.

Jonah started the game and Luca grabbed the small ball.

"This is you for Jonah. When I win, you pick whatever you want." Luca said,

I rolled my eyes at his arrogance and crossed my arms.

He focused on the hole and threw the ball. The ball went straight into the hole before it disappeared.

"Yay!" Jonah screamed and jumped around.

Tickets spilled from the game and people even stopped to watch.

"This is for you, Charli. Pick any prize you want from here. On me of course." He said and winked at me.

He turned and threw the ball. Of course, he won. No need to sugar coat it.

"Mommy! He won! He won again!" Jonah chanted as he tugged on my hand.

"Yes, darling. He won." I muttered,

Jonah pulled me over to the toy section and told the man behind the counter all about Luca winning.

"I want the tiger." Jonah picked, pointing at the stuffed toy.

Luca nodded his head and the man gave it to him.

"Pick something, mommy." Jonah said, looking up at me.

What Luca said to me just a while back came back to me and I briefly thought of picking him.

"I pick..." I mumbled, looking at the toys.

After not finding anything that I could pick, I sighed and shook my head.

"I need help. Care to help me pick, Luca?" I asked, looking up at him.

He smirked down at me and stepped forward.

He placed his hand on my lower back, making my blood rise.

"Why not pick the cherry." He said, referring to a stuffed cherry with a smiling face on it.

"Sweet and juicy." Luca whispered into my ear.

I let out a shaky breath and nodded my head. Luca took the stuffed toy from the man and handed it to me.

"Thanks." I said and we moved back to the booth.

Jonah yawned and laid down my lap, clutching the tiger to his chest.

"I think it's time we left." I said,

"Sure, the boy needs his rest. He's played a lot today... just like his mother." Luca said,

I smiled, rolling my eyes at him.

Luca offered to carry Jonah and I let him.

We walked to the parking lot in silence and I opened the door to the backseat. Luca gently laid him down and Jonah barely stirred as he slept on.

"Thank you." I said,

"Sure." Luca said,

He bit his lip, making me zero in on the action.

"Can I ask you a question?" He asked,

I nodded my head.

"Yesterday at the restaurant. You said you weren’t married, does that mean you’re single?" He asked,

“…Yes.” My body was way to eager to answer that question, but I couldn’t back down as we stood so close as he towered over me with such a dark look.

"Good." He said and before I could comprehend what he meant by that, he pressed me against the car.

My eyes widened as he gripped the back of my neck and brought our lips together. His lips were so amazing. They moved gently against mine and I fell into the allure. I wrapped my arms around his neck and tugged on his soft hair.

He pushed me harder against the car door, groaning against my lips. My body was hot and I couldn't even understand what was happening. I've been around other men and even kissed some, but my body never reacted to a male specimen like it was doing with Luca here.

He smirked against my skin and I bit my lip as he trailed kisses down my neck.

"I just had to do it. I've never been so tempted like I am with you." He whispered as he slowly leaned.

I was speechless as I stared at him and tried to recollect myself.

"Tomorrow night, you would like go out on a date with me?" He whispered,

"I'm not sure. As I said before, I am a very busy woman... but I'll see." I muttered, looking away.

He smirked down at me, annoying me as he stepped back.

"I'll still be waiting." He said and opened the door for me, and I got in quietly.

"I'll see you soon." He said and closed my door before walking away.

I turned the car on and drove off.

I didn't know whether I should be upset or turned on. It was beyond hot at what he did to me and I kept squirming at the wetness that formed in my underwear.

I wasn't sure about this guy because he wasn't much of my type, but he sparked interest in me.