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Leonardo's hand rested lightly on my lower back, guiding me through the chaotic casino floor. That simple touch was electric, sending sparks dancing across my skin.
I could barely focus on his words with him standing so near. My heart raced with his tall, strong body just inches from mine and his breath warm on my neck.
Leonardo clasped my hand tightly and led me on a winding path out of the main pit area to a more secluded lounge in the back. The noise faded to a dull thrum. We were essentially alone.
My pulse kicked up nervier notches as Leonardo gently pressed me back against the wall, caging me in. His fingers trailed slowly up my arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
"I don't know what it is about you, Natalia," he murmured, leaning in closer. "But I'm drawn to you."
His confession emboldened me. "I feel it too," I whispered, reaching up to trail my fingers along his jawline.
Leonardo's restraint snapped. He captured my mouth in a fiery kiss that stole my breath and made my knees weak. I wrapped my arms around him, clinging tight as we got lost in each other.
In that moment, nothing else mattered - not our backgrounds, who we were outside this casino. It was just us, together at last. Two souls recognizing each other instantly. Propriety and reason stood no chance against the overpowering force of this connection.
We were tucked away in a private corner, lost in feverish kisses, when the shrill ring of my phone shattered the moment. I fumbled for my purse, flustered and flushed. Leonardo leaned back against the wall, lips kiss-swollen, watching me intently.
Seeing Enzo's name flash on the screen, I silenced the call and shoved the phone away quickly. But it was too late.
"Trouble with your brother?" Leonardo asked casually, though his eyes were sharp, assessing.
I hesitated, pulse racing. How could I explain this without revealing too much? "It's just...my family is quite protective," I hedged. "They'd worry if they knew I was here...with you."
Something shifted in Leonardo's expression. He pushed off from the wall and closed the small gap between us, tilting my chin up to meet his searching gaze. "Natalia Moretti," he murmured, and it wasn't a question.
My stomach dropped that he knew, that he'd made the connection. I pulled back, suddenly anxious. "Does that...change things for you?" I asked tentatively.
Leonardo exhaled heavily, glancing away. "It complicates them certainly." When his eyes met mine again, they softened. "But not how I feel about you."
My heart swelled even as apprehension lingered. "What do we do then?"
Leonardo caressed my cheek gently. "We'll figure it out," he promised. "Nothing is simple, but this..." He motioned between us. "This matters to me, Natalia. More than family names or old grudges."
Despite the daunting obstacles, hope flickered inside me hearing Leonardo's resolve. What we were beginning to share felt far too rare and precious to let go without a fight.
Leonardo noticed me approaching and his eyes smoldered. "Maybe we shouldn't be seen together, Miss Moretti," he murmured as I reached him. But despite the warning, he led me discreetly into a darkened corner of the casino behind a flickering bank of slot machines.
Hidden in shadows, Leonardo's hard body pressed against mine, pinning me lightly to the wall. The thrill of being so close to him made me feel dizzy and reckless. My heart pounded as he caressed my cheek with the back of his hand.
"This is dangerous," I breathed, even as I swayed closer, inhaling his subtle, spicy scent.
"I know," Leonardo replied, his voice low and smooth. "But some things are worth the risk."
My lips parted in anticipation as Leonardo's mouth lowered toward mine. The moment his kiss claimed me, hot and demanding, I stopped caring about anything else. I was on fire, melting into his strong embrace.
Being with Leonardo made me feel alive in a way I never had before. As we stole feverish kisses in the shadows, I knew he was my chance to break free from the gilded cage I'd been trapped in all my life. I would turn my world upside down for this forbidden romance, no matter how reckless or dangerous the consequences.
My heart pounded as Leonardo and I made our way through the chaotic casino floor. The noise and lights faded behind us as we stepped out onto a balcony bathed in moonlight.
I shivered in the night air and felt Leonardo's jacket settle over my shoulders. His hands lingered, palms skimming down my bare arms. Even that light touch sent sparks through me.
"This is probably reckless," I murmured, leaning back against the balcony railing.
"Probably," Leonardo agreed, moving closer. His eyes roamed my face in the dim light.
I knew I should leave, but an irresistible pull kept me anchored there, drawn to this dangerous man. Leonardo's hand came up to cradle my jaw, his thumb drifting over my bottom lip. My breath hitched.
"You're trouble, Natalia Moretti," he said, voice low.
