“It doesn’t have to be.”
“It would be your first time.”
“So?”
“How can that fail to mean something, to both of us?”
“It would mean you took my virginity. Is that such a big deal?”
He couldn’t even hear her talk about this without his whole body responding. It wasn’t her virginity, but the thought of beingwith her, of making her his, for a time. Of fulfilling the promise of the desire that swirled so readily between them.
But restraint was his stock in trade and it came to his defence in that moment. “To me, yes.”
“Why?”
“Allegra.” His voice emerged stern and cold. He made an effort to soften it. “This is never going to happen. Not because I don’t want you, not because I don’t fantasise about showing you what your body is capable of feeling, but because it would be wrong. You deserve more than I can ever give you. So please, for both our sakes, just let it drop.”
Luca slept—badly—inthe armchair. It seemed like the safest option. Because despite his words, there was not a single cell in his body that wasn’t vibrating with desperate need for Allegra. Wanting to reach for her, pull her to him, kiss her until she was weak beneath him, begging for him, and make love to her until dawn.
So he chose the chair, and whenever he woke from discomfort, his eyes would fall on her sleeping form and needs would spark to life anew, making him desperate all over again.
When the first hint of light broke over the sea, he stood silently and strode towards the door, refusing to turn and look back at her, because if he did, he doubted his willpower would hold.
His grandfather was, unsurprisingly, already awake, taking coffee on the terrace. Luca remembered this from childhood. They were the same, in this respect. Neither man required much sleep, and liked to face the dawn head on.
Valentino glanced up as Luca stepped onto the terrace. A moment later, a housekeeper placed a coffee cup down at the table.
“You look like shit,” Valentino drawled.
Luca sank into the seat opposite his grandfather and angled it to face the view. “Thanks.” He took a long drink of the thick, black coffee, eyes roaming the land in the distance, appreciating it anew now, seeing it through Allegra’s eyes.
“Your wife is charming.”
“I think so.”
The old man’s eyes stayed on him; he could feel the intensity of his gaze, but didn’t turn to face him.
“She’s not from Vegas.”
Luca took another drink of coffee. “No.”
“Strange, then, that you two met and fell in love so quickly.”
Luca ignored the question. Or rather, ignored the implication of doubt.
“Your cousin and brother will find it hard to believe.”
“Is their believing in my marriage something I should care about?”
“They might not like the thought of you taking control of the company.”
Luca stayed very still. “And yet, we have a deal.”
Valentino grunted, so Luca did turn then, staring the older man down. “You know they don’t want to do it, they just don’t want me to have it. We both understand that. So let’s not sit here and act as though you are faced with a difficult decision. I am the only grandchild you would ever trust to inherit.”
Valentino held his gaze, locked in a battle of wills. “They will argue for the sake of it.”
Luca knew he was right. His brother, in particular, had an axe to grind where Luca was concerned.
