Page 93 of Power
“You love Elsa. You run a successful business.” Then, she grew quiet for a few beats before she forked off a piece and offered it to him.
When he opened his mouth, she slid the treat inside and slowly extracted the utensil, her gaze locked on his luscious mouth. Mesmerized by him, she stilled.
He lifted the mug, sipped. “What do you know about me?”
He murmured the words, a secret only meant for her to hear.
“Nothing from watching you,” she replied. “I couldn’t find anything about you beyond the basic information online. You’re the founder and CEO of Santini International. Your European headquarters is in Milan. Your US HQ is in the fashion district of DC. Beyond a few articles I read online, there’s nothing. Why is that?”
“Nothing to know.”
“What are your demons, Luciano?”
Pain flashed in his eyes before a shadow darkened them. The anger masking his true feelings. Sadness.
“Life is full of surprises,” he murmured. “Not all of them are good.”
She took no issue with his need for privacy, so rather than press him, she said, “I’m a good listener, if you ever feel like talking.”
“Grazie, Simone.”
Her heart fluttered at the sexy way he pronounced her name. Seemone.
Just because they were going to be working together—if indeed that was true—didn’t mean they had to spill every little thing about themselves. He had stopped by to comfort her. Mission accomplished. That was enough for one day.
They finished the tiramisu in silence, their gazes locked on each other. She could have looked away, but his beauty, his power, and his intensity kept her riveted on his every move. And for reasons she couldn’t begin to fathom, he stayed anchored on her as well.
When they finished, she stood. “Let me walk you out.”
“I’m not leaving you alone. Not today. I can wait outside or I can follow you to Carrera’s.”
“I’m okay, really,” she insisted. “I mean, I’m not okay, but I feel better.”
“Grief comes in waves,” he said with conviction. “Now, it’s like a tsunami, engulfing you in water. You feel like you’re drowning in pain.”
The need to touch him had her slipping her hand around his bicep and guiding him toward the front door. “Who have you lost?”
“My entire life,” he replied.
Before she could question him further, he opened the front door. “Are you ready to head back to my cousin’s or do you need me to wait for you?”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t be here alone.” She hugged him, relishing his hard body, the delicious scent of his skin, and the perfect way their bodies fit together. One light kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for being here for me.” She broke away, offered a little smile. “I owe you one, partner.”
“Anytime.”
After she locked her front door behind them, he walked her to her car, waited while she got in. She watched him walk to his SUV. Beyond his obvious good looks and the swagger in his step, there was an energy that surrounded him. If she stared hard enough, she could almost see it.
Is that what pure power looks like?
She started her vehicle, backed out of the driveway. As she made her way toward Slash and Carrera’s, he stayed behind her, like a guard. For the first time in a long time, she felt protected. Like someone had her back in every way that mattered.
11
THE DINNER PARTY
LUCIANO
The following afternoon at four-thirty, Luciano opened his front door. Teddy walked in dressed in a tattered shirt, torn jeans, and his leather jacket. His worn satchel hung over his shoulder, his motorcycle helmet clutched in his gloved hand.
