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conquering
her every sense. When she could hardly breathe, he pulled an inch
away and whispered, “I’m saying ‘too bad’. You’re everything I ever
dreamed of, so there’s no getting away now. It’s too late.”
    “Fine by me,”
she said, her eyes soft, fingers stroking the hair behind his
ear.
    The sensation
was so rousing, Luca felt an involuntary shiver tickle its way over
the back of his neck and down his spine. Riella caught the tremor
and smiled widely, then her eyes skipped to the sky and her smile
faltered. The day was coming to an end.
    Dusk was
turning the beautiful detail of the scenery into a pink-hued wash
of color. Over Florence, colorful lights were shimmering here and
there, making the town look like a magical kingdom. A fairytale, so
far removed from reality.
    Riella snuggled
into Luca’s neck, and he angled his face down so he could place a
gentle kiss to her forehead.
    “It’s time to
go…” Riella whispered.
    “Doesn’t have
to be.”
    She giggled.
“You don’t really expect me to camp out under the stars, here, in
the gardens!”
    “I’d keep you
warm. But no, that’s not what I meant. I want you in my life. Stay
with me. Please. Will you consider it?”
    Would she let
him stay close to her? He could protect her, and at the same time
find out what it was she was hoping to get, speaking to his father.
If she was looking for an ally, he could give her that, and more.
He could so easily see himself spending the rest of his life
alongside her. If she was looking for revenge… then, maybe he could
change her mind, show her the truth before it was too late.
    Riella’s face
turned sober, any hint of amusement long gone. She disentangled
herself from his arms and sat up, looking away. Was she having
second thoughts? She’d said she loved him. There was no denying the
chemistry between them; every moment, every touch, every kiss
they’d shared that day had sizzled with passion. So why was she
trying to distance herself from him now? The girl had not only
secrets, but trust issues, too?
    “Look, I know
we haven’t known each other long, but…”
    Her hand
touched his, but she still didn’t meet his gaze. “No, it’s not
that, Luca.”
    “Then?”
    She took a deep
breath and let it all out before she spoke again. “You don’t know
anything about me. You might not like me, when you find out. And… I
didn’t come here on holiday. I have business to attend to,
important business, and I can’t let… us,” she waved a hand between
the two of them, “sidetrack me, or… or even slow me down. There
isn’t much time. I have to get this sorted; I’m his only hope.”
    She was opening
up. How far would she go? Luca blinked, trying to infuse his
features with understanding and concern for her predicament. “If
there’s anything I can do… Whose only hope?”
    “Please don’t
ask for details. It’s too complicated. Just know that I have never
felt this way about anybody, ever. And it took me by surprise. I
mean, my feelings… I don’t know how to explain.”
    Luca reached
for her and drew her closer to him. She’d almost opened up. Almost.
But not yet. She wasn’t trusting him yet, not enough to share her
secrets. He sighed and kissed the top of her head. “Then don’t. I
don’t need an explanation. I can wait.”
    “You will?” She
lifted her face to look into his eyes.
    “Yes, of course
I will. I was serious when I said I wanted you in my life. Unless…”
His lips quirked up in a half-smile he was obviously trying to
control.
    “Unless what?
What’s so funny?”
    He let his
smile turn into a full-face grin. “Unless you have such a horrible
name, I won’t be able to live with it. Were you ever thinking of
telling me your name?”
    Riella laughed
out loud. “Hah! I never realized I didn’t introduce myself. See? I
told you there’s so much you don’t know about me.”
    He quirked an
eyebrow, waiting.
    “What? Oh!
Riella. My name is Riella Smith.” Then, in