“If you were any other client, I would return your retainer and kick you the hell out of my office. I don’t do tardiness. My time is valuable.”
Pursing my lips, I tap them with my manicured finger. “Hmm, but I’m not just any client, now am I?”
Crouching in front of me, he grips both of my knees, dusting his fingertips against my skin. “No, you most certainly are not.”
“So, I repeat my question, Luce.” I shudder breathlessly as his hands slide up my thighs. “What are you going to do about it?”
He stills, then uses my legs as leverage to push up and catch my lips with his.
A moan vibrates through my throat, but I don’t let it cloud my thoughts. Breaking it, I turn my head away from him. “Why am I here, Luciano?”
I shouldn’t be flirting, or letting him kiss me, for that matter. He made it clear on the plane we couldn’t be together until I wasn’t his client anymore. He isn’t willing to risk his career, and I understand that—it’s valid. But in order to protect my heart, I need to take a step back.
My feelings for him are, and have always been, real and intense, and knowing he feels something for me makes it hard to not dive into this fully. But I have to stay strong. I won’t risk my heart. I’ve worked too hard to protect it. “Do you have something about my case to discuss?”
His features contort from my sudden impassiveness, but he doesn’t press the issue, and instead rocks back on his heels, holding onto the sides of my chair before pressing back to stand.
Rounding his desk, he rubs his jaw with his hand. “Actually, yes. Lydia drew up some paperwork for you to read through and sign.”
“Great. Can I take it with me?”
“I plan to file it first thing tomorrow. We need to set things in motion and get ahead of Javier. Rather than take the paperwork, I’d advise you to read through it now, so I can answer any questions you may have.”
“I can always call you.” Standing, I outstretch my hand, waiting for him to give me the paperwork. “And I’ll drop it back by before you’re even in the office.”
Luciano’s brows furrow, and he searches my gaze, but rather than argue, he says nothing and collects everything, putting the papers inside of a large envelope before handing it to me.
But he doesn’t let go. “Raina, if I?—”
“You didn’t.”
“Then why?—”
“Because, Luce.” I pull the envelope from his hand and take a step back. “As long as I’m your client, we can’t be anything. Which is fine. I completely understand and I respect it. I wouldneverask you to jeopardize your career. But until I’ve had more time to process everything, and until I’m no longer your client, we need to remain professional. I have to protect my heart, and you have to protect your livelihood.”
He swallows thickly, nodding his head. “Okay.”
My heart sinks with his curt response, sadness sinking deep into my soul. But what did I expect?
“Idowant to be with you,” he stresses, placing his palms down on his desk. He’s staring at me so intensely, my stomach flip-flops as I look into his eyes. I want to cry, but I also want to kiss him at the same time.
I lift my chin, trying to stay strong.
This isn’t our end. This just isn’t our beginning, either.
Shifting the paperwork into my left hand, I step closer to the desk and cup Luciano’s cheek. He leans into my touch, and I press on my tiptoes to place a soft kiss on his lips.
Then I turn and walk to the door.
“Raina.” His voice stops me mid-step. “When can I see you?”
My eyes flutter closed and I sink my teeth into my bottom lip, but I don’t turn around to face him. “Tomorrow, if you happen to be here when I drop off the paperwork.”
“But when will Iseeyou? Will you be at my birthday this weekend?”
It takes every ounce of my strength to not go to him right now. The strain of emotion in his voice is like an ice pick chipping away at the shards of my heart. “Do you want me there?”
“OfcourseI do.”
