Page 19 of The Bonventi Secret
I open the door and guide Livia out of the study, my hand instinctively finds the small of her back. Even through the fabric of her shirt, I can feel the warmth radiating from her skin. She tenses at my touch but doesn't pull away.
"Let me show you around," I say, my voice low and intimate. "This house has been in my family for a few generations."
As we move, our footsteps echo on the marble floor. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow over expensive custom furniture and priceless artwork. I can't help the pride that seeps into my voice as I describe each piece, each room.
"That's a real Caravaggio," I say, nodding toward a dramatic painting in a gold-leaf frame. "One of his lost works. You won't find it in any art history books."
Livia's eyes tell me she's interested, even if she tries to hide the flicker of awe that flashed across her face.
I smirk and continue, "The marble flooring you're walking on, my grandfather had imported from one of the finest places in Firenze. Also, the chandeliers are all real crystal, it reflects the light better."
We pass by a reinforced door, guarded by one of my men. "My private office," I explain. "You'll need clearance to enter. For safety reasons, of course."
As we climb the grand staircase, I point out other security features.
"See the ornate moldings throughout the home?" I ask, pointing to the ceiling. "They're hidden cameras. Oh, and all the windows are made of bulletproof glass." She remains quiet and observant, taking everything in.
As we reach the top step, she stumbles. I react instinctively, pulling her against my chest to steady her. For a moment, we're pressed together, her soft curves molding against my firm body. Our eyes lock, and I feel a jolt of something course through me.
Livia's breathes slowly as she looks up at me, her lips parting slightly. I can smell the faint scent of her perfume. It's intoxicating.
My gaze drops to her mouth, and for a split second, the urge to claim those lips resurfaces.
But no. Not yet. I can't give away my strategic position.
I set her back on her feet, my hands lingering on her waist a moment longer than necessary. "Careful," I say. "We wouldn't want you getting hurt."
Livia jerks away, her cheeks flushed. "I'm fine," she snaps.
I smile. "Of course you are. Shall we continue?"
We resume our walk, the tension between us now thick enough to cut with a knife. I can feel Livia's gaze burning into me, a mixof anger and something else. Something she's trying desperately to hide.
Maybe we're both doing that?
We walk past a window that overlooks the estate, and I stop and point out, "You'll also notice the guards stationed throughout the property, both inside and outside. So," I say and look down at her, "you'll be safe here. No one gets in or out without my say-so."
As we approach the East Wing, where our suite is located, I return my hand to her lower back. "Almost there," I tell her, my voice low. "I think you'll find our wing quite comfortable."
"Wing?" she asks.
I don't respond. Instead, I nod to the two men guarding the large double doors, and they swing them open.
"Welcome to our suite, cara mia," I say as we walk past the men who quickly shut the doors behind us, the sound of them closing causing Livia to jump.
I'm surprised by how interested I am in this moment, the grand reveal of the space that will be our shared domain.
I watch as she looks around.
"This is a bedroom?" she asks.
"Well, yes, but it's more of…well, let me show you."
We walk down the hallway that's lined with artwork and sculptures of replicas of Greek gods from the Renaissance. As we enter the main bedroom area, I watch as Livia takes in the floor-to-ceiling windows and the left side wall, which is adorned withhand-painted Italian frescoes, depicting scenes from classical mythology.
I walk a little further into the room as she looks around. Her eyes move from the crystal lighting to the living area where a few chairs, a plush chaise lounge, and a fireplace are located.
She looks so small, so fragile in this grand space. A part of me suddenly wants to wrap my arms around her and protect her, but I shake it off.
