Hired: The Italian's Bride by Donna Alward Page B

his hurt. Perhaps she shouldn’t pry. But an open Luca…it wasn’t likely to happen again. She wanted to know. It was so unlike her, but she wanted to knowabout him, the little details that had shaped him into the man he was. Here in the starlight it was like she couldn’t get enough.
    Luca met her eyes. “I had an affair with a woman I worked with. It didn’t end well.”
    “Who did the ending?”
    His lips tipped up slightly, but there was little warmth in the pseudosmile. “She did. Unofficially, and for someone else.”
    The quirk of his eyebrow told her as much as any words could. Her lips dropped open. “You mean you caught her with another man?”
    “Indeed.”
    “I see.”
    “It is just better for everyone to keep things up-front and honest. No unrealistic expectations. Don’t you agree?”
    At least they were on the same page. It should have been a comforting thought, but it wasn’t. Not in the least. Her brows puckered. She didn’t want a relationship, nor a fling. And yet there was something within her that wanted to explore this thing that was growing between them.
    “What are you thinking, Mariella Ross, standing there in the moonlight?”
    She swallowed. Held his gaze not because she wanted to but because she could not look away. “What are you thinking?”
    His voice was rich silk. “I think I’m about to make a big mistake.” He took a step closer.
    Mari saw immediately where this was heading and alarm bells started pealing madly. “Luca, I don’t think…”
    “Relax, Mari. I’m not interested in falling in love. Love only results in people being hurt.”
    She should be feeling relief. Those were her thoughts exactly. She didn’t understand why she was slightly deflated at his statement. “We can agree on that, then.”
    She backed up against the stone railing, closing her eyes.
    “Mari.”
    When she opened her eyes he was directly in front of her, his warm gaze steady on hers.
    “I know you’ve been hurt badly.” Her eyes widened but he continued in that same, soft, hypnotic tone. “I can see it in you. I realized it after that day in the attic. I won’t hurt you, Mari. We’ll keep our eyes open. I promise.”
    He lifted his hand and his fingers disappeared beneath her hair. Her breath caught as she fought against the urge to lean into the pressure of his hand. Luca kept his promises. Eyes open.
    “Beautiful Mari. I cannot deny there is something between us. I feel it. You feel it, too. We both felt it today, in the meadow. I could see it in your eyes. But the difference is we set the limits. We set the boundaries.”
    “I can’t sleep with you, Luca.” It came out on a rush of breath.
    A smile teased his mouth. “Perhaps a kiss.”
    He was close enough now that she had to tip her chin up to meet his eyes. It was a struggle to keep them open as his fingertips moved through her hair. “Kiss.”
    “Surely you’ve kissed before?”
    Mari’s insides trembled. She had, but not for a very long time. Not without utter fear.
    “A time or two.”
    His face was so close his breath warmed her cheeks. Her fingers tightened around the edges of his jacket. Surely, if she could make it through a first kiss, it would all be fine. “Kiss me, Mariella.”
    Their gazes held for a second. He was waiting for her, she realized. He understood she’d been hurt and he was letting her make the first move. It was unexpected. She was used to him bossing her around. Now he was giving her the power and it made him even more difficult to resist.
    She leaned into his hand, tilted her face up, and with her heart in her throat, touched her lips to his.
    For a split second she let them rest there, testing. Their eyeswere open, and the connection between them was so strong it rocked her core. His lips were warm, soft, waiting. She let go of the jacket and rested a hand against his heart and she felt the thunder beneath her palm.
    The simple movement changed everything. Her breath came out in a rush