We made plans which would be executed around eight o’clock the next evening—assuming that everything was in order of course. I had to first of all give a signal that Luca wasn’t here with me. I really didn’t know whether he would or not, but then the girls did have a plan. I wasn’t sure whether I was going to like it, but it seemed as though they were not taking no for an answer. They all hated that I was stuck in here, and I had to admit … so did I.
A couple of minutes after I had finished off my meal and glass of wine, Luca walked back in. I was just about to pour myself another when he ran for the bottle. “Here, let me.” He smiled gently and poured another glass. “I’m sorry I was taken away from your lovely company.”
I frowned up at him. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine. Just a little hiccup with another business venture. That’s all.”
I nodded, but didn’t press him. I knew a lot of his “business ventures” were not exactly legal, so he wasn’t about to spill all to me anytime soon. I doubted very much he ever would.
“Have you had enough?” Luca motioned to my empty plate.
“It was more than enough, thank you. I ate more than I normally do, but it was just too good.”
“Molte bene,” he said with a wink.
Did he have to keep speaking these little Italian words to me? It hit me straight between the legs every time he did.
“I would very much like to dance with you, Miss Murphy. Would you grant me the pleasure?” He took my hand, and I rose from my seat—straight into his arms.
Okay, maybe I was a little too eager there.
“Where’s the music?” I asked.
“Do we need music?”
I frowned a little. “Well, it kinda helps, don’t you think?”
He pulled me close and penetrated me with those eyes. “Can’t I just hold you close to me and pretend there’s music playing?”
I could have just given in, but my alpha female tendencies were telling me not to. I wanted to get my own way … even if it was just to get the radio switched on when he obviously didn’t want to.
“I’m not going to dance with you unless you switch that radio on.” I smiled at Luca, and he shook his head, smiling back. I could tell he was finding the whole “I’m not going to let you tell me what to do” persona highly amusing.
“Very well.” Letting go of our embrace, Luca strolled over to the radio and switched it on. As if on cue, a nice slow song was just starting. “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” by Simply Red came through the speakers.
“Is this better?” Luca raised an eyebrow.
I nodded my agreement. “Much. Thank you.”
Staring at each other for a moment, I almost lost my balance. How on earth could he look like that? He should be illegal in every state and in every country known to man … or should I say woman?
Luca slowly glided back towards me—all the while, he never dropped my gaze. “What have I told you about looking at me like that?” His voice was seductive—a whisper even.
I raised my eyebrow at him. “Maybe you make me look at you like that. Have you ever thought of that?”
Luca licked his lips a little, making my knees tremble. “It would seem I can’t make you do anything. That’s the problem I’m having.”
I sighed as his eyes danced across my face. “Am I making you work hard?”
“Yes, and don’t say the word hard.” He laid his hand behind my back and forcefully pulled me to him.
Staring at his lips and biting my own, I said, “I’m sure there are things I could make very hard.”
“Clara.” His warning tone reverberated throughout my body.
“I like the fact I’m making you work hard. I guess you’ve never had to work hard at anything.”
Lacing his fingers through mine as we swayed to the music, Luca sighed contentedly. What he said next surprised me. “You’re worth working hard for.”
Leaning my head on his chest, I took a moment to savour everything about him. His feel, his smell, and even his heart, which I could feel beating through my ears. He was a man like no other.
“You know, you’re making it very hard for me to hate you, Mr. Belatoni.”
“There’s that word again.” I chuckled. “Why should you want to hate me?”
I buried my head in his chest and sighed. “You only have to consider what’s been going on today to realise where that came from. And, look at me. I’m here whether I want to be or not. How could I not hate you for that?”
“I told you that you have to come to your senses.”