Falling for Her Billionaire Boss

The music ended and Luca pulled away. “Let’s walk.”

“But Gina…”

“Gina is gone.”

His voice was warm in her ear and goosebumps erupted on her skin. She jerked her head to look back at their table, but he was right. It was empty, save for the remnants of their dessert.

He took her hand and led her to the balcony doors. As they stepped outside, the cool autumn air assaulted them and Mari welcomed it. It would clear her head. This was crazy.

The music was muted as Luca shut the doors behind them. Mari walked to the railing, resting against the sandstone and looking down over the valley. The moonshine glittered over the winding river.

“Why did Gina leave? I thought she was enjoying herself.”

Luca’s voice came, deep and smooth, from behind her. “I believe she thought we could use some time alone.”

Everything in her dropped to her feet.

“Luca, I don’t think this is a good idea.” The words came out strangled, shaky.

“I know it’s not.”

She turned her head at his response. Having him admit it was wrong somehow made it all the more tempting. He was standing a few feet behind her, so tall and strong with the façade of the hotel behind him.

“Then what are we doing?”

“I brought you out here because...” He paused.

“Because…” Her voice was a fairy whisper.

He turned away, abruptly. “I’m sorry, Mari. It was a mistake.”

Disappointment cooled her warm skin, and she wrapped her arms around herself. Evenings on the terrace were very romantic, except for when it was only a few degrees Celsius above freezing and one was wearing a sleeveless dress. And when the man in question turned away. It amazed her to realize she didn’t want him to.

She shivered and he looked back at her. “You’re cold.” Without hesitation, Luca removed his jacket and came forward, draping it around her shoulders. For a moment she wondered if he’d pull her into his arms as his hands gripped the lapels. But he released them and stood back.

His shirt stood out, crisp and white in the moonlight, and Mari thought again how perfect he looked. And how looks could be deceiving.

“I thought you said Gina had children and couldn’t come.”

“She does. They are at our father’s, with their nanny.”

“I see.”

“Do you?”

She tilted her head to look up at him. “Not really.” She smiled. “What is clear is that you love her. And she loves you. I…” She broke off, wondering how much was safe to tell him. “I envy you. I never had a brother or sister, or much of a family at all.”

“Where’s your family now? What about your mother and father?”

He came to stand beside her at the balustrade and they looked out over the hulking shadows of the mountains together. “I never knew my father, and I haven’t spoken to my mother in several years.”

“Does it have something to do with why you’re so afraid of me?”

She bit on her lip. She couldn’t look at him, not now. He wouldn’t understand about Robert, and her mother, and it would only make things awkward between them. Her feelings might be changing but Luca definitely wouldn’t be interested in someone with so much baggage. He had a father and sister, and his whole business was based on family. They were from two very different worlds.

“It doesn’t matter, Luca.”

He linked his fingers with hers, and her heart soared. In ten minutes he’d treated her to more tender, caring touches than she remembered getting in her lifetime.