I straighten, my shoulders tensing as I sense someone behind me. The first thing I notice is their scent. It’s a heady cologne that screams masculinity.
It’s the kind of scent that makes you turn your head when you catch a whiff on the street, the kind that makes you feel a sudden rush of desire.
I’m gathering my courage and readying myself to turn around when the man’s suit brushes against my bare arm as he moves to stand next to me. I recognize him from the corner of my eye and turn to face him fully.
Up close, I remember where I’d seen him before. On my eighteenth birthday, we got ready at Georgina’s house, and he was there. I remember because I nearly fell down the stairs when I saw him.
Then I saw him again at some restaurant where Georgina begged her father to lend us his helicopter. I couldn’t stop looking at him then, and I can’t stop looking at him now.
The only difference now is the scar running from his temple to his jaw on the left side of his face. I resist the urge to reach out and touch it. I want to ask him about it.
He leans against the bar and gives me a half-smile that’s incredibly sexy.
“Illaria, right?” His voice is a deep baritone that sends shivers of pleasure through me.
I furrow my brows and look at him suspiciously. “Yes, and you are?”
His smile broadens in response. “My name is Lucca Vilenzo,” he introduces himself.
He takes my hand and presses a kiss to the back of it. The feel of his soft lips on my skin sends a jolt of pleasure straight to my core.
“It’s nice to meet you, Lucca,” I reply, and his eyes twinkle with mischief.
“You know, I’ve never had someone put me in my place from ten meters away before. I wonder, are you still that bold now that I’m this close to you?” he teases.
I was worried that I had upset him. But instead, he seems rather amused by it. I quickly lick my lips and knot my fingers in my lap.
“And I’ve never had a guy ask me to join him through his bodyguard before,” I reply lightly. “Tell me, does that move work pretty often, or are other women as demanding as me?”
His lips curl up in a smile again. “They’re not usually as demanding, no,” he answers carefully, rubbing his hand over his chin. “Strangely, I’m finding that I quite like your sass. Let me try again. Would you like to join me at my table? I’d love to get to know you, Illaria.”
I glance over at Georgina, but she and Henry are now locked in a passionate dance. She’s obviously not missing me. One drink couldn’t hurt…right?
“Well, seeing as you asked so nicely, I’d love to,” I answer.
Lucca smirks at my teasing. He places his large hand on the small of my back, sending heat through my body. Staying close to me, he guides me over to his table.
His four bodyguards are standing nearby as we slide into the booth. I momentarily wonder how many enemies he has to warrant such security.
At his table, I lean back against the plush fabric and angle my body to face him. I brought my cocktail with me, holding it tightly to keep myself from fidgeting.
“So, Illaria, tell me about you. What do you like to do? Do you have a job?”
I take a gulp of my cocktail before answering. This man might be handsome as hell, but there’s something undeniably intimidating about him.
“Um…well…I work as a bartender. I love reading and going to the gym,” I trail off, feeling rather stupid.
It feels like I’ve been called to stand up in class and introduce myself. He’s watching me intensely, like he’s eager to learn everything about me. If this is an act, he should pursue a career in film because I’m convinced.
“What kind of books do you like? What’s your favorite?”
My cheeks flush with both shyness and excitement. What man ever wants to talk about books to a girl? Not one I’ve met.
He smiles at my admission. “I read that book in school; it’s brilliant,” he says, and I’m filled with surprise.
“Really? What did you like about it?”
I can’t believe this man has read my favorite book—it seems too good to be true. I can’t resist asking him about it to check if he actually has read it or is just saying he has to impress me.
“I loved that she gave such a raw account of her life. It really showed how different it was for her, growing up in that era and being Black. The racism is stark and unfiltered, and it opens your eyes. I’m twenty-five now—I must have read it nine years ago, and I still remember it.”
I can’t keep the smile off my face. I feel guilty for judging him and assuming this man would never want to talk about things like books with me.
He’s six years older than I am, which just makes me more attracted to him. In my experience, men seem to take their time when it comes to growing up. At twenty-five, Lucca seems more mature than guys my age.
The next two hours fly by as we talk about books, films, life, and everything in between. He listens intently and, to my surprise, doesn’t try to make a move. It’s like he’s genuinely interested in me as a person and doesn’t just want to get in my pants.
I thought he would at least pull the stretch move where they end up putting their arm around you, but he doesn’t even do that. It’s a nice change of pace, and yet my thoughts keep drifting back to when his hand was on my back when he led me to the table.
At one point, Georgina waves at me to let me know she’s still alive, but then she disappears off with Henry to God knows where to do God knows what.
After a while, I pull out my phone to check on Georgie, and I see it’s already midnight.
“Am I boring you?” Lucca asks.
“No, not at all. I was just checking on my friend.”
I text Georgie and ask where she is. We agreed we’d leave around midnight.
“Ah, are you leaving soon?” he asks, and I don’t miss the hint of disappointment in his voice.
“I was meant to be, but my friend has disappeared.” Her text comes through as I’m talking, and I roll my eyes. “It appears she is going to spend the night with her friend. I guess it’s time to find a taxi.”
Lucca frowns and shakes his head. “I will take you home; you’re not getting a taxi.”
“No, it’s all right, you really don’t have to,” I protest.
It seems futile, though. He seems like a man who always gets what he wants. He rises to his feet and holds out his hand for me to take.
“I insist. I’m happy to leave now anyway. You were the best thing about this party,” he comments casually.
My cheeks heat up, and I slip my hand into his large one, marveling at how warm his skin is. Lucca escorts me to the elevator, ignoring my assurances that I’m perfectly fine getting a taxi.
It’s cozy in the elevator, crammed full of me, Lucca with this huge stature, and four burly bodyguards. It takes us down to the underground parking garage.
We step out, and my eyes widen at the sea of luxury cars surrounding us. These probably cost more than I’ll earn in a lifetime.
The slender stem of my heel gets wedged between the gap of a drain cover, sending me teetering forward a little. I catch myself and twist my neck to check my situation. Lucca is at my side in an instant, wrapping his arm around my waist to steady me.
“Allow me,” he says and drops into a crouch.
He pulls my heel free. I roll my ankle to check that it’s not pulled and then watch as he straightens himself up. As he stands up next to me, his cologne fills my nose again, intoxicating me more than the cosmos.
He looks down at me and steps closer until his body is pressed against mine.
Our faces are so close that I feel his warm breath on my cheeks. We stare into each other’s eyes, completely lost in one another.
I remind myself to breathe. There is desire burning in his chocolate eyes, and my breath catches. This man is dangerous for my body.
So, that’s what I do. I blame the drug-like effects of his cologne.
I close my eyes and press my lips to his. He tenses up for a moment, caught off guard by my action. But he recovers quickly and kisses me back.
I realize he has been waiting for me to give him the green light, the all-clear, for him to make a move. Within moments of our lips touching, he takes control, kissing me with a steady, undeniable confidence.
I feel my body warming up, and I struggle to remember to breathe again. I press myself closer to his hard chest, loving the feel of his muscular frame against me. His arms feel so strong around my waist, holding me as if I’m something precious.
His tongue swipes at my bottom lip, and I happily open up to him. The second our tongues touch, desire spikes through me, and I feel like I’ll die if I don’t have him. He seems to feel the same urgency.
One hand slides up to grip the back of my neck, the other slides down to squeeze my ass through my dress. I can feel his sizable erection digging into my stomach, and I press myself against it to tease him. A strained growl leaves his throat, and he holds me tighter.
My brain finally catches up, and I’m reminded we’re not alone. I pull back, leaving Lucca with a dazed look of surprise on his beautiful face.
I glance over at his bodyguards, and my cheeks flush red. The four of them have their backs to us, trying to give us some privacy.
