13
I smoothed down the front of my navy blue dress for the fifth time, glancing at the clock on my wall. Luca was supposed to be here any minute, and my nerves were completely all over.
It wasn't just the thought of traveling to Italy for an important business meeting with him that had me on edge—it was him.
He was always so composed, so sure of himself, and every time I was near him, I felt like I was fumbling to keep up. But there was something else, something about the way he looked at me. It was intense, almost overwhelming, like I was the only thing in the room that mattered.
It made me feel safe.
I didn't know what to make of it.
A sharp knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. My heart jumped in my chest as I hurried to answer, smoothing my dress once more before turning the handle.
There he was, standing in the doorway, his tall frame filling the space. He looked impossibly good in pair of jeans, white t-shit wearing a leather jacket over and white converse, his dark hair neatly combed back, his piercing eyes scanning me from head to toe.
"Ready?" he asked, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.
I nodded, grabbing my small suitcase and clutching it like a lifeline.
Luca stepped inside, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the modest apartment behind me. I felt a sudden wave of self-consciousness, but before I could say anything, he took the suitcase from my hands.
"I'll carry this," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Thank you," I murmured, stepping aside as he turned and started toward the waiting car outside.
The ride to the airport was quiet, but not in a peaceful way. The air between us felt charged, heavy with something unspoken. I kept my hands folded in my lap, staring out the window and trying to ignore the way his presence seemed to fill the entire car.
She was driving me insane.
From the moment she opened her apartment door, standing there in that simple, elegant dress, her cheeks flushed with nerves, I was completely undone.
She had no idea what she did to me, how much I wanted to reach out and touch her, to pull her close and never let go. To cancel our trip and keep her locked up in my bedroom as I devoured her.
She was so innocent, so unaware of the way the world could chew her up and spit her out. It made me want to protect her, shield her from everything and everyone.
And at the same time, it made me want to claim her, to remind her—and everyone else—that she belonged to me.
The drive to the airport was torture. She sat there so quietly, her hands folded neatly in her lap, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery. Every now and then, her fingers would twitch, like she was nervous but trying to hide it.
It made me want to pull her into my lap and whisper in her ear that she had nothing to be nervous about—that I would handle everything.
But I couldn't do that. Not yet.
When we arrived at the airport, I led her through the VIP terminal, keeping a hand on the small of her back as we navigated the crowd. She was so small, so easy to lose in the chaos, and the thought of her disappearing sent a surge of possessiveness through me.
Once we were on the jet, I finally allowed myself to relax, if only slightly. She sat across from me, her eyes wide as she took in the luxurious interior of the plane.
"You've never flown private before, have you?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
She shook her head. "No, this is... amazing."
I watched her for a moment, the way her eyes lit up with wonder, and I felt something in my chest tighten.
"You'll get used to it," I said, my tone softer than I intended.
The flight was smooth, and I spent most of it alternating between reviewing the details of the upcoming meeting and stealing glances at Lenora.
She had fallen asleep halfway through, her head resting against the plush seat, her hands loosely clasped in her lap. She looked so peaceful, so delicate, and it took everything in me not to reach out and touch her.
When we landed in Milan, I made sure to stay close to her, my hand brushing against her arm as we walked to the waiting car. She seemed overwhelmed by the bustling city, her mismatched eyes darting around as if trying to take everything in at once.
"Stay close to me," I said, my voice firm.
She nodded eagerly, her gaze flicking up to meet mine, and for a moment, I saw something in her expression—trust, maybe? Whatever it was, it made me want to pull her closer, to wrap her in my arms and keep her safe from the world.
The day was spent in unpacking and I might have accidently booked only one room and told her the other's are filled to get another.
You lying bastard.
"We should choose another hotel," I said noticing her nervous flushed cheeks after telling we might have to share a room.
"N..no.." she said quietly. "It's okay."
Such an innocent little thing. She thinks she's bothering me but in real she had no idea it was purposely that I was doing it all.
The meeting was set to take place at a high-end hotel, and I made sure Lenora stayed by my side the entire time.
The German clients arrived not long after us, their polished manners and sharp smiles masking the ruthlessness I knew lay beneath.
Lenora was polite, professional, but I could see the way her nerves were starting to show. Her hands trembled ever so slightly as she poured coffee for the clients, her voice wavering when she answered their questions.
And then Becker—him again—decided to test my patience being the motherfucker he was.
"You're quite the gem, aren't you?" he said, his tone dripping with charm as he leaned a little too close to her. "I must say, Luca, you have excellent taste in assistants."
Lenora froze, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red.
"Thank you," she murmured, her eyes darting to me like she was silently asking for help.
I didn't say anything at first, letting the silence stretch until it became uncomfortable.
"Lenora," I said finally, my voice calm but cold, "why don't you step outside and check on the arrangements for lunch?"
She nodded quickly, practically fleeing the room.
As soon as the door closed behind her, I turned to Becker, my expression hardening.
"Let's get one thing straight," I said, my tone as sharp as a blade. "She is off-limits. If you so much as look at her the wrong way again, you'll regret it. Do I make myself clear?"
Becker raised his hands in mock surrender, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Of course, Luca. No need to get so worked up."
I didn't respond, my eyes boring into his until his smile faltered.
After the meeting, I found Lenora waiting in the lounge until I was done,
Such a good girl.
Her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
"Come," I said, my tone softer than I expected.
She stood, her movements hesitant, and followed me to the car.
The ride to the hotel was quiet, but I couldn't stop glancing at her, at the way she kept her gaze fixed on her hands, her shoulders tense.
I wanted to tell her that she didn't need to worry, that I would take care of everything.
But I also wanted to remind her that she was mine, that no one else had the right to make her nervous or afraid.