completely surrounded by shadows. He stood before her in his magnificence, a coiled spring perfectly contained by his tall, lean body. The challenge of his eyes was replaced by the defiance of his stance.
‘How does it feel to be denied the one thing you desire, tesoro?’ His native language whispered into the growing darkness but the endearment could not help her. His tone had been too painful.
‘Oh, Luca…it’s unbearable, especially when you speak to me like that.’
Her voice was hardly strong enough to tremble the nearest candle flame, but there was no doubt Luca heard it. In response, he moved towards her until barely a dream could slip between them. Beth dropped her head, unable to stand the pain of feeling him so close, and yet so far away. And it was then that he placed a finger under her chin and lifted her head so her gaze connected with his.
He met no resistance as he took possession of her as easily as he had always done. Beth should have known what was coming next, but she was still surprised when his mouth closed over hers. His tongue penetrated her with all the fierce passion she craved. For a few moments it was as though they had never been apart. Beth could fool herself she had never said goodbye to him, on that last terrible night in Balacha.
Luca’s thrusting urgency fired Beth’s desperate need for him. She clung to him with urgent hands. For five years she had quashed every emotion he inspired in her. Now her feelings rushed out in a torrent of release. She fretted over his body with her lips and tongue and fingers, but as quickly as he had embraced her he stood back.
He was breathing fast; his expression was masked. Beth felt herself crumble—Luca hadn’t changed at all! Despite everything, he was still, and always would be, in control. He might allow her to touch his body, but she would never reach his heart and soul. This was no bitter-sweet reconciliation between friends. All her fierce desire and need were useless in the face of his iron will. He was rejecting her as easily as he had snatched her up.
‘Don’t you want me after all?’ she asked, wide-eyed with realisation.
His eyes narrowed. ‘Want, certainly. But you answer your own question with those two little words “after all”, Beth. After all that has happened over the past few years I don’t need you,’ he said, his voice dangerous and dark.
Beth felt his scorn like a blow. She tried to take a deep, steadying breath. Seconds before, the perfume of lavender and candles had seemed so romantic. Now it seared her lungs like acid.
Luca smiled, but while his mouth might have softened, his eyes did not. He was watching her like a cat watching a mouse.
‘What is the saying— “Once bitten, twice shy?” I’m surprised a clever girl like you didn’t remember that, tesoro.’
Her hands reached out to him, but dropped to her sides before they made contact. Passion was still burning within her, but he had discarded her.
‘Luca…you were enjoying yourself… The feeling wasn’t only on my side, was it?’
He gave an eloquent shrug. For a few glorious seconds, they had been pressed together so tightly, the smallest movement of his body had rubbed against hers with wicked intent.
Beth lost every shred of self-respect. She had come so far she could not give up on him now.
‘Luca…look at me, please! Then tell me you didn’t enjoy what we were doing just then.’
Candlelight flickered in the black pools of his eyes. It was a long time before he spoke.
‘I enjoyed it very much.’
He could hardly deny it. Beth had felt the unmistakable, insistent pressure of him crushing against her. But now the look on his face mocked the flames of light dancing around the room.
‘If I wanted to, I could take you right here and now, Beth. But as it would mean nothing to either of us, there would be no point.’
‘You don’t know that.’ She looked up at him with the hopeful ghost of a smile.
‘I know enough. Self-knowledge is a wonderful thing, Beth. I could have you any time I wanted, but it won’t be today.’
She took a step back and stared at him, confused.
‘What?’
He checked the Rolex on his wrist. ‘It is getting late, Beth. My pilot will take you home, before your new neighbourhood comes alive—if you know what I mean.’
Beth groaned. The fear of what might be waiting for her back at that horrible apartment squashed all her deepest physical needs in an instant.
‘Don’t worry. I shall tell my pilot to see you right to your door,’ Luca added quickly. ‘He will have instructions not to leave until you are safely inside. And remember—don’t open that door to anyone overnight. Not even me.’
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