Slowly, I reach my arms up to him, letting him take my wrists.
His grip is firm, his hands strong.
My tattered nightgown is still in his hand.
The nightgown I wore just for him. Even when I thought there was no way he'd show up. Some part of me knew. Some part of me felt it.
And he did.
I did.
This is real.
It's happening.
Luca's dark eyes burn into mine.
I should be scared.
Instead, I feel alive.
His grip tightens.
My heart pounds, my blood rushing through my veins.
He could hurt me.
He could use his strength against me.
But he won't.
He could make me do whatever he wanted.
But he won't.
The realization fills me with a different kind of heat. A slow, deep burn.
My pulse races.
He leans down, his face inches from mine.
I can feel the heat of his body, smell the scent of his skin.
"You have been a very bad girl," he whispers, his breath hot on my ear.
I shiver, my skin tingling, goosebumps rising on my arms.
"Do you know what happens to bad girls?"
My mouth is dry. I swallow, hard.
He sits back, his eyes searching mine.
"Answer me," he orders.
"No."
"No?" He tilts his head, studying me.
