Chapter 7
Luca
I n the days following our rain-soaked encounter I find myself making excuses to visit Nonna's, always under the guise of “business,” though we both know the truth. But between her schedule at the restaurant and my responsibilities, we don’t spend nearly enough time alone together. I find myself daydreaming about her during important meetings when I should be focused. I don’t know what’s come over me. All I know is I need her like I need air to breathe. So I’ll take these little visits for now, even though I’m dying to taste her on my lips again.
During one such visit, I watch her work in the kitchen, mesmerized by her grace and confidence. She glances up, catching my eye, and a small smile plays on her lips. It's these moments that I live for now, these little connections that set my heart racing. Connections I never knew existed.
It's a Tuesday evening when everything changes. I'm in my office, drowning in paperwork, when Leo bursts through the door, his face pale.
“Boss, there's been a fire at Nonna's.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I'm on my feet in an instant, grabbing my jacket. “How bad?”
Leo shakes his head. “Not sure. It just happened. Fire department's on the scene.”
I don't wait to hear more. I'm in my car, speeding through the city, my heart pounding. All I can think about is Sofia. Is she okay? Was she there when it happened? The thought of her in danger makes my blood run cold.
As I weave through traffic, memories of our time together flash through my mind. Her laugh, her fierce determination, the way her eyes light up when she talks about food. I realize with startling clarity that I can't lose her. Not now, not ever.
When I arrive, the scene is chaos. Smoke billows from the broken windows of Nonna's, fire trucks crowding the street. My eyes scan the crowd frantically, searching for her face. Panic rises in my throat with each passing second that I don't see her.
And then, finally, I spot her.
Sofia stands on the sidewalk, her arms wrapped around herself. She looks shell-shocked, staring at her burning restaurant with vacant eyes. The sight of her, small and vulnerable, makes my chest ache.
I push through the crowd, not caring who sees me or what they think. When I reach her, I pull her into my arms without a word. She stiffens for a moment, then melts against me, her body shaking with silent sobs.
“It's gone,” she whispers against my chest. “Everything I've worked for... it's all gone.”
I tighten my hold on her, my mind already racing with plans. “We'll fix this, Sofia. I promise you, we'll make it right.”
She pulls back, looking up at me with red-rimmed eyes. “How? I don't have the money to rebuild, Luca. The insurance won't cover everything. This was my dream, my legacy...”
I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs wiping away her tears. “Let me help you. Please.”
Sofia starts to shake her head, but I cut her off. “This isn't charity, Sofia. It's an investment. In you, in your talent. I believe in you. I've seen what you can do, how you light up a room with your food and your passion. We can't let that die here.”
She searches my face, looking for any sign of deceit. Finding none, she nods slowly. “Okay,” she whispers. “Okay.”
I wrap my arm around her shoulders, leading her away from the chaos. As we walk, I notice her shivering, whether from shock or the cool night air, I'm not sure. I shrug off my jacket and drape it over her shoulders.
“Come on, you don’t need to be here. I'll take you home.”
The drive to her apartment is silent, Sofia staring out the window, lost in thought. I want to comfort her, to tell her everything will be alright, but I know empty platitudes won't help right now. Instead, I reach over and take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. She doesn't look at me, but she doesn't pull away either.
When we reach her apartment, Sofia hesitates, her hand on the door handle. “I... I don't want to be alone tonight,” she admits, her voice small.
My heart races at her words. “You don't have to be,” I say softly.
We end up at my penthouse, the city sprawling beneath us through floor-to-ceiling windows. Sofia stands at the glass, hugging herself again, looking lost. The sight of her like this tugs at something deep inside me.
I approach her slowly, not wanting to startle her. “Can I get you anything? A drink? Something to eat?”
She turns to me, and the look in her eyes takes my breath away. There's sadness there, yes, but also a burning intensity that I've never seen before. “I don't want a drink, Luca,” she says, her voice low. “I want you.”
That’s all I need to hear. My restraint snaps like a twig and our lips crash together. This kiss is different from our first – it's desperate, hungry, filled with need. My hands roam her body as I back her up against the window.
Sofia tugs at my shirt, her fingers fumbling with the buttons. I break the kiss, panting. “Are you sure about this?” I ask, searching her eyes. I need to know this isn't just grief or shock talking.
She nods, her gaze unwavering. “I've never been more sure of anything in my life. I need this, Luca. I need you.” She looks away, biting her lip.
I take her chin with my fingers and pull her face back to mine. “What is it?”
She blushes. “It’s just. You’re, you know, experienced. And I… I don’t want to disappoint you, since I’ve never been with anyone before.”
“Impossible.” I scoop her up in my arms, carrying her to the bedroom. As I lay her down on the bed, I take a moment to drink in the sight of her – hair tousled, lips swollen, eyes dark with desire.
I start slowly, dragging my hands up her thighs, taking in every curve of her soft body. “You sure, baby?” I ask one more time, my voice gravel, and she nods, eyes full of heat.
“I want you, Luca. Now.”
I tug her shirt over her head, my eyes locked on her perfect breasts, then her full hips when I get her jeans and panties off next. Every inch of her is mine. I stand, stripping off my shirt, my belt, watching the way her gaze drops to my cock, her lips parting at the sight of it.
“You’re so beautiful,” I growl, crawling over her, pinning her wrists above her head. “And you’re mine.”
I kiss her again, rougher this time, my hand slipping between her legs, feeling how wet she already is. She moans into my mouth as I slide a finger inside her, then another, stretching her to fit my cock. Her back arches, and she gasps when I slide a third in.
When I think she’s ready and I line myself up, I can see the tension in her face, her eyes dark with a mix of desire and nerves. I brush my lips across hers. “I’ll go slow, but once I’m inside you, baby, there’s no going back.”
She nods, biting her lip, and I press forward, feeling the resistance of her body. She’s so tight, my cock is straining to push into her inch by inch. She gasps, her hands clutching at my shoulders.
“It’s okay,” I whisper, my lips brushing her ear. “I’ve got you.”
Her eyes hold me captive and her nails dig into my back as I finally sink fully inside her, her body trembling beneath mine. Her breath catches, a mix of discomfort and need as I give her a moment to adjust. When I pull out slightly and glance down, I see it—the faint pink tinge where our bodies meet.
That’s it. She’s mine now. Forever.
“Fuck, Sofia…” My voice is raw as I start to move, slowly at first, watching her face. I can see the shift—the pain turning into pleasure, her body opening for me.
She moans, and I lose control, thrusting harder, deeper, faster. “Luca… oh God…”
The sounds she makes as I slam into her drive me wild, spur me with a primal need I’ve never known before. Before long I can feel perspiration running down my back, my abs flexing with every thrust. I never want this to end.
I flip her over, lifting her hips so she’s on her hands and knees. The angle lets me slide deeper, her body taking all of me now. I fist her hair in my hand, pulling her head back as I slam into her, over and over over. She cries out, the sound driving me wild.
“You feel so good,” I groan, my hand tight in her hair. “You’re taking me so well, baby.”
She whimpers beneath me, her body shuddering with each thrust. I feel her start to come apart, and I tighten my grip, pulling her head back until her mouth is open, breathless. She’s beautiful. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“Come for me, Sofia,” I command, my voice rough as I yank her hair, pounding into her. “Now.”
Her body tightens, and she screams my name as she shatters around me. I follow right after, thrusting deep one last time, my release hitting me like a freight train.
She collapses onto the bed, and I fall beside her, pulling her close, holding her against my chest.
“You’re mine,” I whisper into her hair, my breath still ragged. “Forever.”
Afterwards, we lie tangled in the sheets, Sofia's head resting on my chest. I stroke her hair, marveling at how right this feels. The city lights twinkle beyond the windows, but here, in this moment, it feels like we're the only two people in the world.
“What happens now?” Sofia asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
I press a kiss to the top of her head. “Now, we rebuild. Together. I meant what I said, Sofia. I'll help you get Nonna's back on its feet. Better than ever.”
She props herself up on an elbow, looking down at me. “Why are you doing this, Luca? Really?”
I reach up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Because I care about you. More than I've cared about anyone. And because I believe in you. Your talent, your passion – you deserve this.”
Sofia's eyes fill with tears, but this time, I think they might be happy ones. She leans down, kissing me softly. “Thank you,” she murmurs against my lips.
As Sofia drifts off to sleep in my arms, I stare at the ceiling, my mind racing. I know that by helping her, by getting this involved, I'm putting her in danger. My world isn't safe, and the deeper she gets pulled in, the greater the risk. But there’s no going back after what we’ve shared tonight.
I think about the fire at Nonna's. Was it really an accident? Or was it a message? A warning? The thought sends a chill down my spine. If someone is trying to get to me through Sofia...
Looking down at her peaceful face, I make a silent vow. I'll protect her, no matter the cost. Because Sofia Romano isn't just a passing infatuation.
She's becoming my everything. And I meant what I said. She’s mine.
And that terrifies me more than any rival family or business threat ever could. I've spent years building walls around my heart, keeping everyone at arm's length. It was safer that way, cleaner. But Sofia has crashed through those walls like they were never there in the first place.
I think about the future, about what this means for both of us. Can I really bring her into my world? Can I ask her to accept the danger, the secrecy, the constant looking over our shoulders?
But as I hold her close, feeling her heartbeat against my skin, I know it's too late to turn back now.
Because now, she's not just in my bed.
She's under my skin, in my blood, and I don't think I could let her go even if I wanted to. I realize at that moment that I’m in love with her. I’m in love, for the first time in my life.
As the first light of dawn begins to creep through the windows, I make a decision. I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe, to help her rebuild her dream. With that thought, I finally allow myself to drift off to sleep, Sofia's warm presence anchoring me in a way I've never experienced before. I make a mental note to reach out to Vince Russo tomorrow, maybe his ideas about going legit aren’t so crazy after all.