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“That’s too bad.” Although Clara and I had become friendly over the past couple weeks, we weren’t so close I should have been hearing about marital problems, especially not from her husband, who I barely knew. I tried to steer us to safer waters. “Do you enjoy working at Rossi?”
His brow dropped, and I immediately knew I shouldn’t have gone in this direction. “In normal circumstances, I would answer wholeheartedly yes. But with the upheaval lately—”
“You mean Luca taking over?”
His jaw jutted out. “Not simply that. It’s all the changes. I don’t do well with change, especially when they’re unneeded. And Luca doesn’t take my advice—”
“I’m sure that isn’t true. He’s just incredibly busy.”
Miller set his glass on the counter and took two steps closer to me. “By any chance, has he mentioned my concerns over the Grave Business Report? They are persistent in running articles about Rossi. More importantly, our financial situation—and not in a flattering light. It’s aggravating. I’ve told Luca we have to do something about them. We can’t let this go on.”
I knew right away Luca had never mentioned this publication, but I pretended to rack my brain to appease Miller, who was beginning to get twitchy.
“I’m sorry, Miller. I can’t say I’ve heard of them. But Luca and I don’t talk a lot about business.”
He scratched the back of his head and looked away. “No, I don’t suppose you do.” Then he squared his shoulders. “I should go find Clara. Good evening.”
He walked out, leaving me alone once again, confused how Clara could be married to a man like that. I’d yet to find a redeeming quality about him.
Taking a deep breath, I gathered my calm and decided to head out to the party. But the doorway was blocked by a frowning Luca.
“I’ve been looking for you,” he claimed.
“I’ve been here.”
“I see that. What’s so exciting about the kitchen?” He came toward me, the corners of his mouth curved like he was amused. Well, he was the only one.
I spread my arms out, showcasing the counters. “Look at this place. It’s pristine and polished. No husbands being mauled by hot women in short dresses anywhere in sight.”
I expected him to stop, to ask me what I was talking about, but I was wrong. He ate the small distance still between us and hooked me around the waist, dragging me flush against his chest.
“Are you being a brat?” He used his smooth, charming voice that made my thighs quake. Luckily, my brain wasn’t such a floozy.
“Nope. I didn’t like you allowing that woman to touch you.”
He jerked me even tighter to his front. “That was Frank’s daughter, Francesca. If you would have stayed a second longer, you would have seen me removing her hand and telling her I’m married.”
“Well—” I was too worked up to back down now, even though I thoroughly believed him. “Why did she seem to think she had the right to touch you like that?”
“She doesn’t.”
My brows drew together. He hadn’t answered the question. “Have you fucked that girl?”
“Yes. One time, years ago.”
I raised my chin. “Would you fuck her tonight if I weren’t here?”
“No. I’m not interested in her.”
“Who are you interested in?”
Slowly, he trailed his hold on me lower and lower until he was palming my ass. “I can’t seem to think about anyone else but my wife.”
“As it should be.” I gripped the lapels of his jacket. “Don’t let women touch you, Luca. You wouldn’t like it if the roles were reversed, would you?”
He squeezed my cheek just shy of too hard. “Do you really have to ask that? The answer is no. No one touches you but me.”
“That’s fine with me. When you touch me, I come.”
