CHAPTER 4
ALESSIA
I had tried notto obsess over the elevator incident, watching television and playing games on my phone that evening, trying to clear my mind. But when I’d laid down in the darkness of my bedroom, all I could think of was the soft curve of his lips and how they’d feel pressed against mine. By morning, I was little more than a puddle of female hormones.
I hadn’t expected to hear from Luca immediately, but I was still disappointed the next morning when my phone showed no missed calls or messages. He didn’t strike me as the type to engage in silly games, but he alsodidn’t seem like a man who would be desperate for a woman’s attention. He said he would be in touch, and I believed he would, in his own time.
Until then, should I run into him at work, I wanted to make certain he knew what was at stake. I spent a solid hour on my hair alone that morning, ensuring every detail of my appearance was perfect. I may have been a hot mess emotionally, but I was one damn good-looking hot mess.
When I crossed the marble floors of the lobby on my way into work, my eyes were drawn straight to Luca. I wondered if I’d ever get used to the sight of the man. Each time I saw him, he rendered me breathless. He wasn’t just attractive; he was animal magnetism personified. He was every crush and craving, each desire and fantasy, all rolled into one. Something about him called to me on a visceral level, and I was powerless to deny it.
He stood with two other men near the center of the room, listening to one of them talk. Another day and another expensive suit, this time accented with a simple black tie. Compared to the two men he was with, Luca was a formidable presence. Where others were simple evergreens crowded in a forest of trees, he was an ancient redwood, statuesque and imposing. It wasn’t merely height that made the man stand out, it was the powerful aura that surrounded him. People stepped out of their way to give him a wide berth while their eyes were drawn his direction, unable to look away from the man who exuded power from his every pore.
My hands tingled in anticipation at the sight of him, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing how he affected me. Instead of walking over to say hello or lettinghim catch me staring, I turned my head just before he began to look my direction and took the escalator without a backward glance. Inside, I may have been a teenager fangirling over her celeb crush, but on the outside, I forced an impervious air all the way to the office.
Work was infinitely more enjoyable without Roger there. We had a quick staff meeting in the morning, and I was able to catch up with a couple coworkers I hadn’t spoken to in a while, which made the morning pass quickly and kept thoughts of Luca from occupying my mind. When I finally returned to my desk, I had a text waiting for me.
I saw you watching me.
My body thrummed with excitement at receiving his text. I thought about admitting the truth, but I decided there was no way he could have seen me staring at him.I don’t know what you’re talking about.
His reply was almost instant.Don’t lie to me, ever.
The words sent a shiver prickling down my spine. Had he truly known I’d been watching? How? And how did he manage to be domineering even over a text? I felt like I was back in school, being reprimanded by a teacher, and it automatically elevated my defenses.I’m not making any promises.
I didn’t ask for promises, just honesty.
Well, damn.
When he put it that way, I felt like an ass for resisting. Asking for honesty wasn’t so unreasonable—it was a far cry from demanding the truth. Funny the difference a few words could make.Alright, I’ll do my best.
There was no response for several minutes. His other replies had been immediate, and I wondered where he wasand what might have his attention. I debated putting the phone down and getting back to work, feeling foolish for staring at a screen, waiting for a reply, but the conversation dots appeared before I could force the phone from my hand.
Let me take you to dinner.
I noted the absence of a question mark—yet another command. Did the man ever ask politely for anything, or was every word out of his mouth an order?
I had an intrinsic reaction to his domineering behavior in person, but over text, I felt more in control.No, I don’t even know you.
Take that, Captain Pushy Pants. Let the man work for his dinner. He may have been above playing games, but apparently, I was not. Plus, Luca was clearly a man who would lose interest in a woman who fell at his feet. No doubt, he had plenty of those in his life.
Isn’t that how we get to know one another?
Yes and no. I usually only go out with people I have a connection to. You could be an axe murderer, for all I know.
How has that been working for you?
Well, fuck.
He was right. I hadn’t had a decent date in months. The last man I’d been out with was an accountant my mom set me up with—the son of some friend of hers. He’d sent his food back three times, complaining about too much garlic, used an inhaler halfway through the meal, and refused to leave a tip because of the imaginary garlic. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
Touché. I’ll think about it.
Don’t think too long.
A giggle slipped past my lips at his reply. My immediate reaction was to text backor what, but I didn’t cave to the temptation. A man like Luca was accustomed to getting his way, and something inside me reveled at denying him the satisfaction of a response. I tossed my phone back in my purse and buried myself in work.
I was successfully able to distract myself all day, but twenty-four hours later, Luca was all I could think about. I didn’t see him the next morning on my way into work, and I was getting twitchy about not giving in to his request for a date. Could my little show at playing hard-to-get backfire on me? He certainly hadn’t reached out to push for an answer—could he have decided I wasn’t worth the effort?
