Page 53 of Take Me Under

Internal conflict raged within me, taking the form of past memories and dreams for the future. I saw the potential to uncover the secrets that had eluded my father—to bring an end to the hunt so that I could finally focus on finding out who I really was. I’d made a promise to him—one that I fully intended to see through. But chasing ghosts wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life forever.

I thought about my small glass blowing shop in Lucca. It reminded me of the flames I’d created, and of the marble woman who stood with them.

Anton’s words echoed in my mind.

“Remember the woman in the flames, princess. You deserve to be her.”

I met his gaze again and considered his proposal. His desire for unrestricted access to all parts of me—both physically and intellectually—oddly thrilled me. He’d only hinted at the possibilities that lay ahead, and I wanted to know more.

But there were rules.

I may have defied my Catholic upbringing by having sex before marriage, but I had standards—and a hot, toe-curling love affair with a sexy billionaire I barely knew didn’t fit into myneatly defined box. Add in that I’d be doing it in exchange for money, and well…

Just thinking about it required a visit to the confessional.

Who am I kidding? At this rate, I’ll burst into flames just entering the church.

Tearing my eyes from his, I looked down at my half-eaten plate of food.

“This was a bad idea. I should go,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Anton reached across the table, his fingers brushing against mine. The slight touch sent shock waves through my system, and I stood abruptly. My eyes darted toward the exit.

“Serena,” Anton’s deep voice resonated through the room as he rose from his seat. His movements were fluid, almost predatory, as he came around the table to me. Before I could retreat further, his hand encircled my wrist. His touch was gentle yet unyielding, halting any escape I may have contemplated.

“Thank you for dinner, Anton. Everything was lovely, but I?—”

“You think you want to run, but deep down, I know you don’t.”

“Anton, two people as different as us are not compatible.”

He grinned, a gleam in his eye suddenly turning wicked. “Have you already forgotten last night?”

Heat flooded my cheeks, and I looked away. “Of course not.”

Taking hold of my chin with his thumb and forefinger, he tilted my head back. The silence sizzled with tension. Anton’s eyes flickered to my lips, and before I could process what was happening, he leaned in, capturing my mouth in a searing kiss.

The world tilted on its axis. The kiss was passionate and intense, reviving the sensations he’d made me feel last night. In the dark. Pushed up against the stone wall. My analytical mind short-circuited, forgetting all the what-ifs as Anton’s lips moved against mine.

His hand slid to my lower back, pulling me closer. Involuntarily, my fingers curled into the lapels of his expertly tailored suit. The scent of his cologne, a heady mix of sandalwood and citrus, enveloped my senses as our tongues danced.

When we finally broke apart, I was breathless. It was a real struggle to regain my composure.

“Anton, I?—”

“Come back to the penthouse,” he murmured, his thumb tracing my jawline. “Let me show you how good it can be—how good we can be.”

My heart raced, his words sliding over me like warm whiskey as I lost myself in his endless onyx eyes. Whenever he regarded me like that, I found myself speechless. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take. It was ridiculous, really. Every time I looked at him, my heart would begin pitter-pattering like a schoolgirl with a crush on the star football player. That steady beat had now quickly evolved into a strong thumping in my chest. His mere presence was unsettling. He made me feel unbalanced, and I found it difficult to stay composed when he looked at me that way.

A slow leisurely smile began to form on his face. I was mesmerized, and he knew it.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” I protested weakly, even as my body yearned to lean into his touch.

“You can, princess.”

I took a deep breath, feeling as though I stood on the precipice of a life-altering decision. Somehow, I knew if I agreed to go back to his place, my life would never be the same.

“You’re serious about all of this? Not just tonight, but about the funding and spending a month with me.”

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