FOURTEEN
For breakfast, I ordered an espresso and nibbled on some bakery items I bought yesterday. I spent most of the day on my little balcony, answered emails and soaked up the sun. It was rejuvenating to slow down and enjoy being in this beautiful city. No rules. Meetings that excite me. Catching up with friends and family. Eating anything I wanted because all the walking burned it off. The hotel had an excellent restaurant that offered a beautiful summer salad with chicken and vegetables. Everything was aromatic. It smelled just as wonderful as it tasted.
I showered and prepared myself for making an impression tonight. I scheduled drinks with some contacts at Le Connoisseur. This is a relationship I wanted to nurture and integrate business with. They offered bespoke private tours and activities that were the ultimate luxury experience. Tonight, I had to be devastating. I dressed to the nines in a stunning red dress that hugged my curves just right. I wore red lipstick to top off the dramatic look.
My heels clicked against the marble floor as I made my way through the lobby, where I spotted Luca. Did he ever leave this hotel? He was talking to another well-dressed man, not the same guy from the night before, their conversation animated. My heart skipped a beat, remembering our accidental encounter and the way his eyes had met mine.
I tried to walk past unnoticed, but Luca looked up as if he could sense my presence. His eyes traveled slowly down my body, taking in every detail of my outfit, before meeting mine again with a smirk. That reaction is the one I wanted. I definitely picked the righty dress for tonight. He excused himself from the conversation he was entangled in and paced quickly to catch up. I tried to look away from him but it seemed impossible. I turned towards him to say hi.
"Big plans for the evening?" he asked, motioning up and down my dress.
"Dinner meeting. You?" I replied, trying to sound casual even though my heart was racing.
"Just finished my own business meeting. You look stunning."
"Thank you," I managed, my breath catching in my throat. "I'm Charlie, by the way."
"Luca," he introduced himself, extending a hand.
Before I could say anything more, I saw Michael and his girlfriend, Kenna, walking towards us. My stomach churned. What the fuck? Why are they here? Ryan made sure to put them at a different hotel. I wasn't ready for this. Not here, not now.
"I need a favor," I whispered urgently.
Luca raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “I like those. What kind of favor?”
I glanced towards Michael and Kenna and back to Luca. “My ex is coming over with his new girlfriend. Can you pretend we’re together for a few minutes?”
He gave me a sly smirk with a twinkle in his eyes, “So, you want me to play the hero?”
Dryly I added, “More like the guy who can save me from an awkward conversation, but if you wants to be the hero—I accept.”
Luca grinned. “You got it. You owe me a drink for this.”
He let out an intoxicating laugh like I told him the funniest antidote to a story. This guy was good. I gave him that. Not only was he handsome, he had charisma without even trying.
Michael's voice boomed across the lobby, “Red is a bold look, didn’t know you did bold.”
My hero interjects smoothly, extending a hand to Michael, “Luca, it’s a pleasure. And trust me, she’s a woman who’s full of surprises.”
Michael visibly uncomfortable sized Luca up. “Yeah, we’ll see.”
Kenna joined us, smiling. “That dress is stunning. Red is your color.”
Such a sweetheart. I just wanted to hug her. “Thank you, Kenna. That’s so sweet of you to say.”
Luca turned to Kenna—his charm managed to climb up a few more notches. “I’m sure Paris is more magical with someone as lovely as you to enjoy it.”
He winked to her.
Michael’s eyes traveled down my body with a predatory gaze. He was the last person I wanted to notice me. My butterflies transformed into nauseous anxiety. I forced a smile and felt Luca's hand slide around my waist. His touch grounded me. Every place his hand met my body warmed and pulsed with want.
Michael laughed awkwardly. "The flight was so long. I don’t know how you do this on a regular basis. The idiot taxi driver dropped us off at the wrong hotel. We are waiting for another one." He seemed uncomfortable in his own skin.
There it was, the snarky edge that had become so typical of him in those last few months together. But underneath it, I could hear the sadness, the regret he wasn’t willing to admit. I decided to meet him where he was, offering him a small smile. “Traveling been good to me and I don’t mind the flight,”
I said simply. “It’s amazing what a change of scenery can do.”
Luca looked at his watch. "We have reservations in a few minutes. It was nice to meet you both. Perhaps, we will see you around. Have fun exploring Paris," he said as he motioned toward the door to guide me away. I looked over my shoulder just for one glance and it was worth it. Michaels eyes locked with mine and he like he was trying to figure out what the hell just happened. As we walked out of the hotel, Luca fingers laced with mine, sending a shiver down my spine. Luca was unexpected. Some surprises I don’t mind.
Once outside, I whispered, "Thank you so much. you didn’t have to do that, but I really appreciate it. I wasn’t expecting them to be in the city for a few more days. They definitely weren’t supposed to be at this hotel."
Luca chuckled. "No problem. But now you owe me. How about that drink now?"
I nodded, feeling grateful and intrigued by this handsome stranger. "Let’s agree we are even. Ruined shirt, remember, but a drink I can definitely do."
We wandered the charming streets of Paris until we found a cozy bar, Le Mary Celeste, known for its inventive cocktails. It was the perfect location, just a short walk away from my plans. I followed Luca into the dimly lit bar, my heels clicked on the marble floor as we walked. The scent of cologne and wood polish mixed with the low hum of conversations around us. Luca gestured to the bartender with a charming ease and ordered us drinks—something strong, dark, with just the right amount of sweetness, much like him. I took a seat beside him, trying to shake the lingering buzz of adrenaline from our run-in with Michael.
"To new alliances," Luca said, lifting his glass toward me.
I smirked, clinking mine against his. "To unexpected partnerships."
He took a sip, eyes never leaving mine, and leaned a little closer. "So, Charlie," his voice low and smooth, "I have to admit, I wasn’t expected you.”
I raised a brow, swirling the drink in my glass. "Oh? From our brief interaction where you poured you drink down the front of my shirt, what exactly did you expect?"
He grinned, leaning back in his seat, as if this is all some game to him. "Something more... corporate. Stiff. Serious. But you—you're a mystery wrapped in an exquisite package. What brings you to Paris?”
“Vacation sprinkled with a little business,”
I confessed. I’m not quite sure how I’m supposed to behave in this type of situation. I’m not sure what THIS even is. Is this drinks with a new friend? A date? A kind gesture? How does a beautiful Italian see this?
Luca’s smiled widens. "Is this your typical vacation attire?"
I laughed, “This is the ‘sprinkled with a little business part’. In about an hour, I have plans with some partners at a restaurant down the street. Admittedly, I think every vacation includes some business.”
"Sounds...strategic," he offered, eyes narrowing slightly.
I meet his gaze very aware of the hunger in his eyes. “What about you, Luca? Are you in Paris for business or pleasure."
He chuckled softly, the sound warm and inviting. "Both, if I am successful. Why would I ever want one without the other?”
I propped my chin on my hand, unable to stop the smile tugging at my lips. "There it is! You’ve just confirmed exactly what I thought. You are what I expected!"
Luca grinned, looking completely unbothered, like this is some kind of game he’s already winning. "Interesting. I’m very aware of how American women view Italian men. It wouldn’t serve me to change that perception, right?”
“Do you encounter many American women?”
I asked, but it’s more of a tease.
“I encounter many types of women, but yes. They sometimes come to Europe with certain expectations,”
Luca said with a sly foxy grin.
I had so many replies to that simple comment. I bet they did, Luca. I can imagine the many things women might dream up meeting you.
His brow quirked, leaning in just slightly. "And what did you think about me?"
“That you like to have it all,”
I said, my voice dangerously played. “The best of both worlds, always finding a way to mix business with pleasure. An easy shift for you.”
He smirked and raised his glass to his lips. "You say that like it’s a bad thing."
“Not bad, just... ambitious and even desirable,”
I replied as my eyes locked on his. "Men have an easier fluidity between the two. Which, I have to admit, I respect and even envy."
Luca leaned forward getting closer, his voice dropping just enough to make my pulse quicken. "And what if I told you that right now, I’m doing both?"
I laughed softly, shaking my head. "You Italians are too smooth for your own good."
He grinned, that playful light dancing in his eyes. "It’s a gift. But tell me, Charlie... am I succeeding?"
I paused for a beat, letting the question hang between us before answering with a slow smile. "You’re getting close."
His smile widened but before he can say anything else, I glanced at my watch. “Unfortunately, my business side is calling soon.”
Luca’s expression didn’t waver, but there’s something in his gaze that tells me he’s far from done. “That might be the fastest hour of my life. This isn’t over, you know. We’re just getting started.”
I stood, grabbing my bag. “Thank you for the drink. We’ll see, won’t we?”
“Count on it,”
he said, eyes lingering on me as he followed me towards to the door.
As we stepped out of the bar, the cool Parisian night brushed my skin, a welcome contrast to the heat between us that’s been building. The city was alive, glowing in the soft lights of the street lamps, the hum of voices and traffic a distant backdrop to the silence that’s settled between us. We walked side by side, close but not touching, the tension buzzed in the space between our arms.
Luca glanced at me, that mischievous smile still on his lips, but there’s something more in his eyes now—something darker, more intense. I felt it pulling at me, a magnetic force that I’m trying hard not to give in to.
"You sure you don’t want to cancel your meeting?" His voice is low, teasing, but there’s an edge to it that sends a shiver down my spine.
I laughed and teased, "Tempting, but no. Boundaries are important, but there’s fun in escaping them, right?"
His eyes never left mine, “Some boundaries are only there to be broken, even when someone doesn’t realize it."
I can’t even force my eyes to look away, "What if they do?
My world paused. The sounds of glasses clanked and people’s laughing faded as the air between us thickens. My heart pounded, and I’m positive everyone can heart it. This pull might be impossible to ignore.
At some point, we both stopped moving.
"Luca," I started, but he stepped closer. His body radiated heat and his scent intoxicated me. Sandalwood, musky vanilla and cardamom. My breath caught thinking he might kiss me.
He doesn’t kiss me. He leaned in slightly, his warm breath against my neck. “Next time.”
He turned and walked away, leaving me there. Wanting. Wow! That was a fucking power move. I can’t believe it worked. I watched him into the night, my heart still racing.
As I turned toward my meeting, I’m not sure I could focus on business tonight. What if all I can think about is Luca—and the next time?