I’m so nervous, my leg won’t stop bouncing as the car races through the ancient streets of Rome to my hotel. I have my interview with Andrea Rossi, the CEO of the charity foundation, and I’m guessing a good friend of Luca’s, because he is the reason I’m here. My mind wanders to Luca, as I’m in his hometown, it would be totally awkward if I ran into him. What would I do if I did? Probably jump into his arms, because I miss him so much. I do, I tried not to, but he is persistent and his daily text messages, I look forward to them. The sleek black Mercedes pulls up out the front of a tall glass office building.

“I will take your bags to the hotel, Miss Simpson,” the driver advises me, as he helps me out of the car.

“Grazie.”

I take a moment to compose myself and walk into the luxurious building. I check in with the building’s receptionist, she hands me a special day pass, and gives me directions to the 20th floor. Here I go, all or nothing.

I needn’t have worried; the interview was a success. They offered the job to me on the spot and I couldn’t say no. How could I say no. I get to help save people’s lives, with lots and lots of money. My driver is waiting for me out the front of the building, and takes me to my hotel. He pulls up out the front of a gorgeous old building, near the famous Spanish Steps, nestled in between designer shops, which would be great if I was rich, but it’s truly in a great area. I can’t wait to explore.

“Signora Simpson, welcome,” a well-dressed doorman greets me. This hotel has great personalized service.

“Grazie.” As I follow him into a grand foyer, I look around but don’t see any check-in decks, which is weird, maybe I’ve come in the back entrance or something. He holds open the lift door for me and I follow, he hits the A button. Usually that top button on a lift anywhere is for the penthouse, and attico is the Italian word for penthouse. This charity went all out. I feel bad, this must cost them a pretty penny to put me up like this.

“We are here.” The lift doors open and the man asks for me to step out. Which I do, right into a grand marbled foyer, but what grabs my attention instantly is, at the end of the foyer is a terrace and all I can see is grand Italian buildings all around. I rush outside and take in the view. We are right above the Spanish Steps, with some other famously old buildings surrounding them, but I have no idea what they are.

“It is beautiful, isn’t it?” That voice, the one I have missed for the past couple of weeks. No, he can’t be here. I feel his presence behind me, but I don’t dare look at him. “Lilly, please look at me.” My hands are shaking, I’m not prepared to see him. I take a deep breath and turn around. Nothing in my head prepared me for the man standing in front of me. Holy cow, he’s gorgeous. This man, right here, definitely looks like a prince. His scraggy beard has been shaved off, and been replaced with a clean-cut vibe. His inky black hair is slicked back; he’s dressed in a killer suit. “You look good.” That cocky smirk is still planted on his gorgeous face, as chocolate eyes drift over me, from head to toe. My body’s warming under his intense gaze.

“What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to say congratulations on your new job.” My eyes narrow, he found out about that quickly.

“Thank you.”

“You will be an incredible asset to our company.” I still. Our company.

“This is your charity?” Luca realizes his faux pas, the tone of my voice pretty much tells him what I think of that.

“We raise a lot of money for that charity, I’m it’s patron.”

“And you didn’t think you should have mentioned this to me?”

“I thought you would be happy.” He looks at me, confused.

“You tricked me.” The room goes silent at my accusation, I’m angry. “The job sounds amazing, but I can’t take it.”

“What! No. Lilly, no.” I can’t do this. Pushing past him, I search the enormous penthouse for my bag.

“How big is this fucking place?” I yell, opening up a million and one doors.

“It’s the door on the end, my bedroom.” His voice is sad.

“This is your home?” I look around at the opulent apartment.

“Si.”

“Why?” He looks at me, confused. “Why did you bring me here?” Luca digs his hands into his pockets.

“Because I missed you, Lilly. I hoped that maybe you would fall in love with it, the view, everything, and that you would want to share it with me.” My heart beats uncontrollably in my chest. He wants us to share this house? It’s warm, I feel warm. I reach out to steady myself, am I having a panic attack? “Lilly.” Luca moves towards me, but doesn’t touch me.

“I don’t belong here.” My words come out in barely a whisper. I lean back against the wall, letting the cool surface calm me down.

“But, you belong with me.” I can see the pleading in his eyes.

“We would never work.” This place is way too opulent for me.

“Why, because you don’t love me?” Love. Do I love him? Of course, I do, but sometimes love doesn’t conquer all. I close my eyes, trying to find the strength to tell him how I feel.

“I love you.” The words are faint.

“Thank God.” Luca moves closer, his body is inches away from mine, his heat radiating off of him. I open my eyes and watch as he takes off his suit jacket, then his tie, throwing them to the ground. He takes off his cufflinks, they bounce on the floor. He rolls the cuffs of his business shirt up, over his olive skin, and places his hands on either side of my head. “I love you, Lilly Simpson. You can run and run, but I will always find you. So, you’re not ready for me yet, I can understand that. I’ll wait. I will wait until the time comes when you realize that there is no one else in this world that means more to me than you do. I will wait until you know that I’m loyal and true to only you. I will wait until you realize we do belong together, and that no one will love you, with all of their heart, more than I do.” Shit on a broomstick. That is the sweetest fucking thing anyone has ever said to me, the tears stream down my cheeks. How the hell is a girl meant to say no to that. Ugh. He’s playing dirty. Fuck it. I lean forward and kiss him. He’s shocked for a mere couple of seconds but then my Luke is back, pressing me up against the wall, his thick fingers running through my hair, his large palm holding my face as his plump lips kiss me, his teeth nip me. Groans and sighs come from the both of us, as tongues collide in a frantic kiss that has been built up after all these weeks apart.

“Fuck, I’ve missed you, Lilly.” Hhhmmm, I moan as he lifts up my pencil skirt, the material pooling around my waist. “Do you have any idea what I have done to my hand since we’ve been apart.” I shake my head, as my fingers unbuckle his belt. “Blisters, I gave myself blisters from thinking about you. My fucking hand was the poorest substitute to your pussy.” Oh, shit, Luca’s brought out the dirty talking, yes, boy, yes. I’m frantic now, as I push his suit pants and briefs to the floor. “I need to be inside of you, Lilly.” I nod, giving him the green light to do all the dirty, delicious things he wants to do to me. Luca rips off my knickers; another pair that seemed pretty sturdy, but against his hands, just rip to shreds. He’s lifting up one of my legs and hooking it around his waist, as he enters me in one easy thrust. “Merda,” he hisses, burying himself inside of me. I feel so full, has he always been this big. My fingers dig into his fleshy globes, urging him on for more, needing him, needing us. My back rubs against the wall, the painting further down shakes as he frantically thrusts into me. Yes, yes, yes. If this is what fate had in mind, then I believe. I’m a believer. “You’re never running again, Lilly. Do you hear me?” I mumble something incoherent, because I will say yes to pretty much anything right at this moment if he continues to fuck me like he is. “It’s you and me, we’re a team now.”

“Yes. Oh, yes.” See what I mean, I have no idea what I am agreeing to. Does it really matter? As long as it is yes to more of this, I’m fine.