Chapter 2
two
. . .
Dana
My heart breaks for this poor little boy. Orphaned at such a young age.
Does he truly understand his mommy and daddy are never coming back?
I kneel down, gently brushing a lock of chestnut hair from Matteo's forehead. "Hey there, little man. What are you drawing today?" I ask softly.
"A dinosaur," the boy murmurs, his small fingers gripping the crayon tightly. He hunches over the paper in concentration.
"That's amazing, Matteo! You're so talented." I beam at him, admiring the colorful scribbles taking shape. "Can you tell me about your dinosaur?"
As Matteo explains each jagged line and dot, his hazel eyes bright with pride, I feel a prickling awareness creep along my spine. I glance up. Luca, Matteo’s uncle, stands in the doorway, arms crossed over his broad chest as he watches us intently.
Dark and dangerous.
Unyielding .
The notorious mafia king cuts an imposing figure in his impeccable black suit, dark hair slicked back.
His chiseled jaw clenches as our eyes lock, stormy grey on emerald green.
I gulp.
A current of electricity crackles between us, raising goosebumps on my skin despite the mansion's oppressive heat. I knew exactly who Luca Romano was when the agency sent me. Ruthless. Powerful. Merciless to his enemies. But Matteo needed nurturing, and this is my calling.
I tear my gaze away, focusing again on the sweet boy beside me as he chatters on. I knew the stakes when I took this job.
But I can handle Luca. I have to—for Matteo's sake. As long as I keep my wits about me, I won't get burned by the smoldering fire always lurking behind Luca's eyes when he looks at me...
The hardened planes of his face, that full sensual mouth, the raw masculine power of him…
I force the dangerous thoughts away. Matteo. He's all that matters.
I pull the giggling boy into my lap, hugging him close as I feel Luca's presence looming behind me, his intense gaze burning into my back like a brand. The fine hairs on my nape prickle with awareness. Matteo snuggles into my embrace, his small body trusting and pliant, oblivious to the crackling tension.
"Miss Dana, look!" He holds up his drawing, a green dinosaur with a crooked smile. "He's happy now."
"He sure is, sweetheart." My voice comes out huskier than I intend. Damn Luca for rattling me without a word. "I think your dino is the happiest in the whole world, because you drew him."
Matteo beams, gap-toothed and precious. I ache to protect him, to cocoon him in love and wipe away the shadows of grief that dull his eyes when he thinks no one notices. But I feel those shadows too, lurking within me. A kinship with this orphaned boy.
I kiss the top of Matteo's head, breathing in his sweet innocence. His tiny arms tighten around my neck trustingly. My heart swells and cracks at once. I will do anything to keep him safe. To make him feel loved and wanted. Even if that means resisting my ill-advised attraction to his devastatingly handsome uncle.
The man who could destroy me with a flick of his wrist.
I feel the weight of Luca's stare, heavy and heated, as I carefully set Matteo back onto his feet. "Why don't you go wash up for lunch, little man? I'll come get you in a few minutes."
"Okay, Miss Dana." He scampers off, clutching his precious drawing.
Slowly, I turn to face Luca. My heart pounds wildly as he devours me with his eyes, trailing over my curves with blatant hunger.
A rush of desire curls low in my belly. I clench my thighs together.
"Mr. Romano," I greet him neutrally, willing my voice not to tremble. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"You've done more than enough...Dana," He prowls closer, a panther stalking his prey. The way my name rolls off his tongue sends shivers down my spine. "Matteo seems to have taken a shine to you," he says, his deep voice resonating through my bones. He steps closer, crowding into my space until I'm enveloped by his intoxicating scent—expensive cologne, Cuban cigars, and pure, raw masculinity. "And it appears the feeling is mutual."
I tilt my chin up defiantly, meeting his penetrating gaze. "Of course. Matteo is a wonderful child. He deserves all the love and support he can get, especially after such a devastating loss."
Luca's eyes flash with an unreadable emotion. Pain? Guilt? Regret? It vanishes before I can decipher it, replaced by cool assessment as he drags his gaze over my body, setting my skin ablaze. "And you think you're the one to give it to him? To be his...nurturer?" His lips curl around the word, infusing it with dark promise.
I suppress a shiver, holding his stare boldly. "I know I am. It's what I'm here for, Mr. Romano. To care for Matteo, to guide him, to protect him."
Luca's eyes narrow. In a burst of movement, he cages me against the wall, his powerful arms braced on either side of my head. I gasp at his sudden proximity, the heat of his body seeping into mine. He leans in close, his breath ghosting across my parted lips. "You think you can protect him better than I can?" he growls, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through me. "You have no idea the dangers that surround us, little girl."
I bristle at the condescension, even as my heart races at his closeness. "I'm not a little girl, Mr. Romano. I'm a trained professional. And right now, Matteo needs more than just physical protection. He needs emotional support, stability, love. That's what I provide."
Luca's eyes flash dangerously. His hand comes up to grip my chin, tilting my face to his. "And what about what I need, Dana?" he murmurs, his gaze dropping to my lips. "What about the things I want?"
My breath hitches. "What—what do you want?" The words come out as barely a whisper.
"You know exactly what I want." His thumb drags across my lower lip, his touch searing. "I see the way you look at me when you think I'm not watching. The flush on your cheeks, the quickening of your breath. You want me too. Admit it."
"I..." My mouth runs dry. I swallow hard, my pulse pounding in my ears as Luca's thumb traces the curve of my trembling bottom lip. I can't tear my gaze away from the stormy intensity of his eyes, grey and turbulent as a tempest at sea. "I don't know what you're talking about," I breathe, but the words sound weak even to my own ears.
Luca's lips quirk in a knowing smirk. He leans in closer, until I can feel the scrape of his stubble against my cheek. "Don't play coy with me, Dana," he murmurs, his voice a dark caress. "We both know there's something between us. Something primal. Raw. Undeniable."
His hand slides from my chin to curl around the nape of my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair. I bite back a whimper as he tugs my head back, exposing the column of my throat to his heated gaze. "You can feel it too, can't you? The way your body responds to mine. The way your skin flushes and your pulse races when I'm near.” His thumb traces along my pulse. “Every curve of you is mine to explore."
I try to shake my head, but his grip is unyielding. "Mr. Romano, please," I whisper, hating the breathy quaver in my voice. "This isn't appropriate. I work for you. I'm here for Matteo?—"
"Shh." He silences me with a finger pressed to my lips.
And then just as suddenly as he descended upon me, he steps back.
He doesn’t speak another word to me. Just turns and walks away, leaving me to wonder if I imagined the whole thing.