Now, as I watch them dance, I can still see the tension between them—the way Sofia keeps her eyes downcast, the flush on her cheeks, the stiffness in her shoulders. Matteo holds her possessively, his hand firm on her waist, his eyes never leaving her face even as she avoids his gaze. It's not tenderness I'm seeing. It's something more primal. Hunger. Possession. The way a predator watches prey. The way he holds her makes my chest ache with a longing I don't want to examine too closely.
My thoughts drift to my parents, how devoted they were to each other. My father had not always been a good man in business, but he looked at my mother like the sun and moon hung over her. They were holding hands when that monster killed them.
I need some air.
I slip out of the ballroom and walk toward the garden, inhaling deeply at the scent of flowers and night air. My father was a ruthless businessman. Even at fourteen, I wasn't blind to that, but somehow, it didn't matter much to me because at home, he was a fantastic father and a devoted husband. He always said that my mother was his first love, and the two would giggle like little kids when he did.
No, the world didn’t care that Alessandro Marino was devoted to his family. To them, he was a ruthless businessman who needed to be punished.
At least that’s what I think happened.
I close my eyes against the memories and wait until they’ve faded before looking around for a place to sit. I’m aboutto enter the small hedge maze at the center of the garden when I hear a voice behind me. I turn around, expecting to see another guest seeking fresh air but am surprised when I see who it is.
“Luca!”
"Excuse me, ma'am, this section of the hotel is closed off to guests," he says in a serious voice that makes my smile drop.
"Oh, sorry, I'll leave," I say, starting back for the hotel when he grabs my wrist and stops me.
“Of course, I can make exceptions,” he drawls, making my heart race. “You did treat me to some of the best cookies I’ve ever had.”
My stomach flutters at his words and in the way those dark eyes watch me. “But you said this area is closed off. I don’t want to break the rules.”
“I made those rules, and I’ve just given you permission to break them.” I flush at his words, heat climbing my neck and face so I look away. “Are you hiding or just hoping to get some fresh air?”
I chew on my bottom lip, my eyes landing on a blooming rose. “Both.”
“Well then, would you like some company? I know this garden like the back of my hand now.”
“Sure,” I smile, sliding my hand into his arm when he offers it. We walk down the maze in silence, but even I can feel that crazy tension between us. The moon is bright tonight, and the air is chilly, but I can't focus on that. Not when Luca is so close to me. Smelling so good, better yet, than the flowers in the garden.
“Your cake was very popular tonight,” Luca says after a while, walking us toward a bench, where we sit close together. “Iheard the guests couldn’t get enough of it. It’s a shame I didn’t get to taste it.”
My head whips to his, eyes wide with shock. “What do you mean?”
“We were doing security rounds in the hotel, and it was gone when I came back to the reception,” he says as we sit. “Everyone kept talking about it, and I’ll admit, it made me quite sad that I missed it.”
“I’ll bake you one,” I blurt out, flushing at those impulsive words. “I mean…I…”
“Will you now?” he asks, leaning closer and under the moonlight, his eyes seem to glow with a silvery sheen and such intensity that I feel goosebumps layer every inch of my skin. “Can I hold you to that?”
Christ, is it just me, or is he closer than he was a few seconds ago? So close that I can feel his soft breath against my lips, and his scent…that strong, male, woodsy scent is doing things to me. It makes me ache in places that have never ached before. That I never knew could ache…
“Luca…”
“I love the way you say my name." A shiver runs down my body when he cups my jaw, stroking my cheek. The touch, simple as it is, sends other parts of my body burning with need. My nipples pebble beneath my dress, and the spot between my legs floods with moisture. I know better than to get lost in those silvery eyes, but…
His lips graze mine, making me shudder.
Luca pulls back, his eyes studying mine. Whatever he sees there makes him groan, and then his mouth crashes down on mine with fierce heat. The hand on my jaw drops, and suddenly,his hands grip my waist, lifting me onto his lap. I straddle him, my dress bunching around my thighs, his mouth a fever of need over mine.
I whimper when I feel the hard press of his arousal beneath me. I slide my fingers over his hard shoulders to brace myself.
I don’t know this man, but I can’t think beyond the taste of his lips. His scent clouds all logical thoughts in my mind, and the feel of his body against mine makes me shudder. I rock my hips, chasing friction, and his grip tightens on my hips, guiding my movements.
“Luca,” I sob against his mouth, my fingers digging into his shoulders. I moan loudly as my breasts rub against his rock-hard chest, the movement making my nipples ache even more.
“That’s it,” he rasps. “Take what you need.”
