Chapter 9 - THE CASTELLANI ESTATE
The drive to the outskirts of the city was quiet. I leaned my head against Luca’s shoulder, listening to the steady, comforting sound of his heartbeat. His arm remained wrapped tightly around me, as if he feared I might vanish if he let go.
We arrived at a massive, gated stone estate surrounded by towering pine trees and high security walls in Lake Forest.
Luca helped me out of the car, guiding me up the grand steps into a soaring, warm foyer filled with marble, rich dark woods, and flickering fireplaces.
"Welcome home, Mara," he said softly, taking off my coat.
I looked around the magnificent house, feeling a strange sense of peace despite the chaotic night. "It's beautiful, Luca."
He led me up the grand staircase into the master suite—a sprawling room with a roaring fireplace, a massive plush bed, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private lake.
"You can take the bed," Luca said gently, walking toward the adjoining dressing room to take off his tie. "I'll sleep on the couch in the study."
I stood by the foot of the bed, looking at him as he unbuttoned his collar.
"Luca?"
He stopped, turning around. "Yes, Mara?"
"You spent eighteen months staying away from me to protect me," I said quietly, stepping closer to him. "And tonight, I realized that the safest place in the world is right beside you."
Luca stared at me, his chest rising and falling heavily.
"If I stay in this room tonight, Mara," he warned softly, his voice thick with desire, "there is no going back. You will be my woman. Forever."
May you like
I smiled, reaching behind my back to slowly pull down the zipper of my red dress.
"I didn't buy this dress to go back, Mr. Castellani."