Page 34

Luciana takes my breath away, owning all my attention—ensnaring and possessing me.

In a green dress that matches my eye color, molding to her slender body and falling to her feet in silk decadence, I take her in, gorging on her out-of-this-world beauty.

She looks spectacular, and she knows it. She’s a seductress, and I barely restrain myself not to maul her, undress her, and fuck her until she stops testing my control.

Since I left this morning, she has been stuck in my mind, hijacking my brain that obsessively focuses on her. Throughout my meetings, I had to pull myself together to be somewhat functional.

I have a few more days to show her the benefits of remaining with me. I paid big money and called in some favors to obtain the information she wants.

I cock my head as she reaches me. “All dressed up for me?”

A teasing smile grazes her lips. “What do you think?”

With her, I can never be sure, and it’s exhilarating.

“I think you did because you know what you do to me in and out of dresses.”

I realize that it’s the first time she didn’t welcome me with a gun or a threat. This ceasefire gives me hope I am not alone in this mess of us.

I spot her heels at the foot of the chair by the dining table. I sit down, beckoning her with a finger. Picking up each shoe, I place them at my side. A mischievous grin paints her face as she lifts her leg and rests her right foot against my groin. My cock instantly hardens, taking that as an invitation.

“Want to play? Amore, I am barely keeping my lust at bay.”

“I know,” she says in a soft voice dripping with a confidence that does things to me I can’t even begin to understand.

Lowering my face as I lift her leg a bit, I trail my mouth from her knee down her calf. I place a kiss on each toe before I glide the sandal over her foot, strapping it around her delicate ankle. From the corner of my eye, I catch her hand gripping the edge of the table. Her breath hitches; a light tremor rocks her body, proving she’s just as affected as I am.

I move to the next leg, taking my time as I trap us both in a haze of lust and delayed gratification. This sweet torment will only make it more intense when we give in to our desire.

Once I am done, she bends over, her palms coming on each of my knees. We’re so close I can inhale every breath she exhales.

She pecks me on my mouth. “Thank you. Such a gentleman.”

She turns around, but I grasp her by the waist and bring her down onto my lap. Cupping her cheeks, I plunge my tongue into her mouth, devouring every small sound she makes. I get drunk on the taste of her, her soft yet toned body molding into mine.

Before I forget I made dinner reservations, I push her up and give her a slap on her ass.

She gives me a coy look over her shoulder, dripping with sexuality.

“Stop looking at me like that.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She bats her lashes at me and walks in front of me, giving me a private catwalk show.

She will learn a hard lesson tonight. I can’t wait to show her what happens when you tease the beast.

The ride in the elevator happens in a blur as she keeps some distance. I fucking hate it. So, the moment the elevator doors open, I pull her to my side, my arm draped around her waist. This possessive gesture gets everyone’s attention, from the gazes of the staff who haven’t seen me with anyone before, let alone make such a bold claim, to the tourists who steal glances. I guess we make quite the pair.

“Are you insane?” she asks under her breath while never lowering her head or her eyes.

“Most probably, but you’re in my lair, and here I fucking rule.”

If her eyes could shoot fire, I’d be nothing more than ash.

In front of the hotel, the limousine driver waits for us. I greet Tomaso as he opens the door for her. With my palm on her back, I usher her inside, where a champagne bottle chills and, on her seat, a single white calla lily rests.

She picks it up with utter care before smiling. “I like it. It fits.”

It’s as regal as her, and while it symbolizes purity and rebirth, it’s also the one flower we bring to funerals.