I want her.
The realization hit Luciano hard. Then the consequences hit him harder.
If she remained here, there would be a huge problem.
She had to leave.
However, he couldn't get over the way she was staring at him.
Her eyes were very expressive when they were not trying to mask something.
And in the moment, she was staring at him with open curiosity. As if she wanted to know more.
"So I'm just supposed to believe you're a man that can actually please a woman? That you think so highly of women enough to care about their pleasure?" She asked.
"Well considering I personally think women are God's greatest creatures, then yes– I care enough to please my woman."
She blinked.
He had personalized it to obviously send a message to her.
"My woman," she thought with a relenting nod, as the spell broke for her, and she regained her senses.
"Gotcha. Your woman is a lucky one if you indeed practice what you preach. Still doesn't change statistics." She returned to licking her ice-cream.
Luciano felt the moment he lost her attention.
It was a good thing. Better this way. He couldn't afford to compromise everything for fleeting lust that was sure to pass.
"And done!" She cheered as she emptied the last scoop of ice-cream down her throat.
It hadn't hurt nearly as much as she thought it would.
"You didn't touch your fries."
Her gaze darted across to it, and then back to her empty bowl of ice-cream.
"Oh well," she shrugged. "I'll give it to Natalia. I'm full already."
"Full? From ice-cream? No wonder you're so skinny."
She frowned, causing her forehead to crease. "No, I'm not skinny. I'm just— fit," she laughed right after she said the word.
Her laughter is infectious too.
Luciano struggled in his head. Everything she did just showed how much of a risk she was.
Yet she was a risk a part of him didn't mind taking.
He cleared his throat. "We'll have to look into everything you've said." His looks grew serious again as he switched topics.
"You do that, okay? Can I ask for a favour though? I mean you've asked me a lot of invasive questions. It's only fair if I get something in return, don't you think?"
His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What is she up to?" He questioned his mind.
"Shoot." He encouraged her outwardly.
"Alright! Natalia happens to like ice-cream a lot too, so can she get some? Also, when do I get my digital camera back? If you really did your research like you said you did, then you know it's empty. Because I was going to use it to capture moments at Mr Giovanni's party, until we were told no pictures were allowed."
Luciano didn't respond, instead, his hands reached into his ears, and began to manipulate a device into it.
When it was properly plugged in, he waited a few seconds, and then just started speaking in Italian.
A pool of wrinkles formed on her forehead, as she stared at him cluelessly.
She had no idea what he was saying, but the way his lips moved was so fascinating.
He looked more dangerous talking in Italian, than when he talked in English.
The conversation didn't take too long. In about thirty seconds, he was done speaking, and then shifted his gaze back to her.
"The information you've provided is being cross-checked at the moment. If it turns out you were right, you'll regain your freedom. This will be the last time I see you if you're telling the truth."
"Oh– did you get the ice-cream for Natalia though?" She asked.
Luciano's eyes squinted. It was as if she didn't hear a word he just said about the same freedom she was yapping about earlier.
"You really care for Natalia," he blurted his thoughts.
"Of course I do. That's my sister. She's nice, kind, and—cultured," a small smile played on her face. "Everything I'm apparently not. That kind of goodness should be cared for, don't you agree?"
"Hmmm," his lips pursed in deep thought.
"Anyway," she rose to her feet, and moved out of the table. "Thank you for the ice-cream. This is the last time I'll see you, because I am telling the truth. I would say it's a pleasure meeting you, but considering the circumstances, I'm not too sure. Still, I wish you well." She stretched her hand for a handshake.
Luciano looked down at her hand, and then back up into her face.
A small part of his ego took a blow from how unaffected and unattached she was.
She was so giddy at the thought of leaving.
His conclusion was that he had no effect on her. Which again, tugged his ego that was used to women throwing themselves at him.
"I wish you well too."
He stretched out his hand, but instead of shaking her, clasped her hands in an iron clad grip, and pulled her into his body.
His other hand swiftly wrapped around her small, curvy waist, visible from the low-rise skirt she was wearing.
Valentina's eyes flew wide open, and her pupils dilated sharply, as she felt his large hands touch her bare flesh.
"What are you doing?" Her words were barely a whisper.
"Lick your lips."
Her breath caught in her throat, and then silence followed his strange words, as she regarded him with a dazed look.
"Lick your lips, Valentina," he pressed again, his face just inches away from hers.
Valentina swallowed hard.
"Wh-y?"
"Just do it."
As if compelled by his words, or his commanding presence, she licked her lips.
"The sides," he continued, glued to her lips.
She obeyed again.
His hand around her waist pulled her even closer, until she was practically inside of him. And then his fingers reached up to the side of her lips.
"What are you doing?" Her breath sharpened.
Luciano's fingers wiped the stain on the corner of her lips, with the help of the moisture from her saliva.
But as the last bit disappeared, he couldn't help himself.
He ran his fingers across her lips, feeling its softness through the quiver.
Her body trembled in his hands, and he felt the shift in her breath.
They were so close, he could sniff her very essence.
Everything about her was pretty. Even her scent.
"God help me," he prayed silently.
A mocking laughter followed that prayer. Not even God could save him from the wicked temptress standing in front of him.
She wasn't doing anything. All she did was exist.
His fingers moved sideways, stroking every inch of her cheeks.
With every move he made, her eyes widened or narrowed.
She wanted to understand why he was touching her like she was a delicate glass that could break at any moment. Why he was so close to her, whilst looking at her with such darkened eyes.
They didn't speak, but their curiosities projected in different ways.
His fingers moved to her eyes, and for a second there, he drowned in them.
"Sopretty," he whispered, as if it physically hurt him to speak.
But it wasn't just him.
Valentina found herself being drawn even closer to him.
His eyes were unlike anything she had ever seen before. It was so easy to get lost in them.
And his hair? She wanted to run her hand through his hair.
"But why?" Her soul questioned.
She didn't want or desire men like him. Why did this feel different?
He's a taken man, Valentina!
"You'll have to forgive me," Luciano said the second he felt his control completely snap.
His lips began to move towards her lips.
"Stop me!" He screamed internally, as if she could hear his thoughts.
There was no going back if he kissed her. Everything would become complicated.
Yet he couldn't stop himself, and Valentina was too curious about what he would do, to stop him.
His lips were just an inch away from her lips, when the door pushed open.