Chapter 5 - The Threshold
Luca stared at her extended hand for a long, quiet second. His dark eyes flickered with a raw, intense hunger that made her pulse race, but he didn't grab her hand greedily. He moved with slow, reverent care, his large, warm fingers gently sliding into hers.
His skin was calloused, rough against her soft palm, but his grip was unbelievably tender.
"Ellie," he murmured, his voice thick. "You don't have to do this out of gratitude."
"I know," she said, holding his gaze without a single trace of hesitation. "I don't do anything out of obligation anymore."
They walked up the grand staircase together, hand in hand, through the silent corridors of the second floor.
When they reached the door of the master suite, Ellie reached into her pocket, pulled out the heavy brass key, and unlocked the door. She pushed it open, stepping inside first, leaving the door wide open behind her.
Luca followed her into the room. He didn't shut the door immediately; he stood on the threshold, watching her as she walked over to the fireplace and lit the kindling with a long match.
The fire caught quickly, casting a golden glow across the room, illuminating the dark velvet curtains and the massive four-poster bed.
"The key is on the nightstand," Ellie said, pointing toward the brass ring. "I think you should keep it."
"No," Luca said quietly, walking toward her. "The key stays with you. This room remains yours. I am merely a guest whenever you invite me in."
Ellie turned to face him, her heart beating fast.
Luca was standing three feet away. He unbuttoned his top collar, breathing deeply. Up close, his presence was overwhelming—the faint scent of cedar, expensive tobacco, and rain clinging to his suit. He was massive, his broad frame casting a shadow over her full, curvy figure, but he looked at her as if she were made of delicate glass.
All her life, people had made Ellie feel self-conscious about her body. Her father had made her feel large; Andrew had made her feel like she needed to be hidden under dark, loose clothing to be acceptable.
As if reading her thoughts, Luca reached out, his long fingers gently touching the side of her face. His thumb traced the soft curve of her cheekbone, slid down to her jaw, and rested at the base of her throat where her pulse was jumping wildly.
"You are breathtaking, Ellie," Luca whispered, his voice trembling slightly with emotion. "Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to stand on the other side of that door last night?"
"Why didn't you push?" she asked, leaning slightly into his touch.
"Because a forced victory is worthless," Luca said softly, his thumb caressing her lower lip. "I want your heart, Ellie. I want your trust. I want you to look at me and see a man who protects you, not another man who cages you."
Ellie felt tears prickling behind her eyes, but for the first time in her life, they weren't tears of fear or frustration.
She raised her hands, resting her palms against his broad chest. Beneath the crisp white cotton of his shirt, she could feel the powerful, steady beat of his heart—a heart that beat for her.
She slid her fingers up to his shoulders, pulling him down toward her.
May you like
"I see you, Luca," she whispered.
Then she closed the small distance between them and pressed her lips against his.
