Chapter 27: Boundaries and Temptations

Anna barely slept that night. Every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was Luca—his dark gaze, his teasing smirk, the way his voice had wrapped around her like silk, only to leave her stranded in her own frustration.

She hated how easily he got under her skin.

By morning, she had convinced herself to regain control. She was not going to let Luca dictate her emotions. She was here for a reason, and that reason had nothing to do with whatever simmering tension had developed between them.

Or so she told herself.

When she made her way downstairs, Isabelle was already in the kitchen, sipping coffee with a knowing smirk.

"You look like someone who had a long night," Isabelle teased.

Anna rolled her eyes as she poured herself a cup. "Not in the way you're thinking."

"Really?" Isabelle arched a brow. "Because rumor has it Luca was in a mood last night."

Anna stiffened. "What do you mean?"

Isabelle leaned in, lowering her voice. "Marco mentioned that after he left you, Luca spent hours in his office, drinking alone. He never does that unless something is bothering him."

Something twisted in Anna's chest, but she forced herself to play it cool. "Maybe it's business."

"Or maybe," Isabelle said, smirking over the rim of her cup, "it has something to do with you."

Anna scoffed, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Isabelle might be right.

Luca was a man who thrived on control. If she was making him lose even a fraction of it, that meant she had power over him. And maybe—just maybe—she could use that to her advantage.

Later that day, she found herself wandering into the library, hoping for some solitude. Instead, she found Marco reclining on the couch, flipping through a book as if he had all the time in the world.

He looked up when she entered, his lips curling into a grin. "Ah, Anna. Looking for some alone time?"

She hesitated. "Something like that."

He patted the seat beside him. "Then you're in the wrong place. I'm terrible at giving people space."

Despite herself, she laughed and sat down. Marco had a way of making things feel lighter, less complicated. And after the last twenty-four hours, she needed that.

"So," Marco said, tilting his head. "Are you and Luca finally going to do something about all that tension, or are we all just going to suffer watching it unfold in slow motion?"

Anna groaned. "Not you too."

"Come on, it's obvious." Marco leaned in, smirking. "You two are like a powder keg waiting to explode. And trust me, we're all just waiting for the fireworks."

Anna's cheeks burned. "You're delusional."

Marco chuckled, but before he could reply, the air in the room shifted.

A presence.

A shadow.

Luca.

He stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable, but there was something in his eyes—something dark and unreadable—that sent a shiver down Anna's spine.

"Marco," Luca said smoothly, though there was an edge to his voice. "Don't you have somewhere else to be?"

Marco smirked but didn't argue. "Of course. I wouldn't want to interrupt." He gave Anna a wink before strolling out, leaving her alone with Luca.

Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy.

Luca's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he finally spoke. "Are you playing with fire, Anna?"

She swallowed, standing her ground. "Maybe I like the heat."

Something flickered in his expression—approval, irritation, maybe even desire.

Then, in the span of a heartbeat, he was closing the distance between them, trapping her between the couch and his body.

His fingers brushed her jaw, tilting her face up to his.

"You think you have control?" His voice was a low murmur, his breath warm against her skin. "You don't."

Anna's heart pounded, but she refused to back down.

"Then show me," she whispered.

Luca's smirk was slow, deliberate.

And just when she thought he would finally give in, finally cross the line they had been dancing around for weeks—

He stepped back.

Leaving her wanting.

Again.

"Patience, Anna," he said, his voice filled with dark amusement. "You're not ready for what happens when I stop holding back."

And with that, he walked away, leaving her breathless, frustrated, and more drawn to him than ever before.