And he wasn’t above using the same tactic again.
Sliding his hand along her thigh, Luca felt her body stiffen, her breath catching as a small gasp slipped from her lips.The sharp retort she’d been ready to throw at him died on her tongue, her mouth falling open, vulnerable and unguarded.
A slow grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.Perfect.
But instead of devouring her the way he ached to, Luca leaned in, brushing his lips against hers with a tenderness that startled even him.A soft, deliberate kiss—gentle where he could have demanded, coaxing where he could have taken.
For a heartbeat, she froze, every muscle taut as though bracing for battle.Then, almost imperceptibly, she softened, her lips trembling beneath his as her resistance wavered.The faintest sigh escaped her, warm against his mouth, betraying the war she fought with herself.
Luca lingered there, savoring the taste of her defiance melting into something sweeter, more dangerous.Pulling back just enough to look into her eyes, he saw the conflict blazing there—fire and fury tangled with a desire she could no longer deny.
“Better,” he murmured, his voice low and satisfied.“What’s your first requirement of our marriage?”he asked, his voice thick with amusement as he watched her shock unfold.Her adorable shock.
Chapter 7
AvastaredatLuca,shocked that he would put her on his lap and…and…kiss her.Her brain stuttered, tripping over itself in disbelief.This wasn’t supposed to happen.Not here, not like this.Yet there she was, perched on his lap, stunned after that soft, sweet kiss while every nerve in her body was on fire.
Good grief, the man felt good.Not just warm, butright.Solid muscle beneath her, heat radiating through the fine fabric of his suit as if his body were deliberately trying to melt hers into him.She could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest, the iron strength of his thighs bracing her, the powerful grip of his arm anchoring her in place.
For one stunned, dangerous heartbeat, the realization hit her like a wave—shelikedhow good he felt.Too much.Her lips tingled, her skin buzzed, and the part of her that fought so hard for control was drowned out by the traitorous thought that she fit against him perfectly.
It took every ounce of willpower to keep from melting against him, from snuggling closer like her body demanded.She was reminded of her thought yesterday—how dangerous it would be to give in—but suddenly, Ava managed to shove it aside.She had to stay practical.She had to keep her head.
So, instead of leaning into his warmth, Ava pushed herself up, relieved that he didn’t stop her this time.She slipped off his lap and circled to the front of his desk, her pulse racing as though she’d just run a marathon.But her nerves wouldn’t let her stand still.Her heels clicked silently against the carpeting as she paced, fingers laced tightly together in front of her as she tried to pull her composure back into place.
When she turned to face him, there was a smug, triumphant smile on his handsome features.One that she ached to wipe away.
“Rule number one: You never stop me from running my business or working at my company.My company is very important to me.”
“Agreed,” he replied immediately, without hesitation.“And likewise, you won’t interfere with my business.”
Ava glanced around, taking in the opulent details of his office—the polished wood, the sleek, dark leather furniture, and the luxurious but subtle décor.Lifting her hand in a dramatic flourish, she agreed, “Not a problem.”
“What else?”Luca prompted.
“You won’t demand I host dinner parties for you and your colleagues.”
He hesitated slightly at that, raising an eyebrow.“Why not?”
Ava shifted on her feet, glaring back at him with a raised eyebrow, silently letting him know this was a “duh” moment.“Because that would interfere with rule number one.”
“How so?”Luca leaned forward, genuinely curious.
She folded her arms over her chest.“Because if I have to organize dinner parties or social events, that takes away from running my business.You’ve already agreed not to interfere.”
“Point taken.”Luca nodded, tapping his fingers against his chair.“But you’ll attend social engagements with me.”
“Some,” she clarified stubbornly, her eyes narrowing at him.“Not all.”
“Most,” he countered.“Ten social engagements a month.”
Ava’s eyes widened.She’d seen media coverage of his parties on the internet—the man had a massive social circle as the owner of a major casino, not to mention his Mafia connections.Surely he attended more than ten social engagements a month!She imagined that he attended that many in a week!Still, her pride forced her to argue.“Two,” she immediately shot back.
“Eight,” Luca argued.
“Three,” she countered, making him raise an eyebrow at her persistence.
“Six,” Luca said, smiling like he’d just won a minor victory.
