The sun is already climbing in the sky as I stand by the car, mentally running through the details of the vineyard visit. But when Emma steps out of the villa, all thoughts of business vanish.She's wearing a floral sundress, the kind that's simple yet elegant, fitting her like it was made just for her. The soft fabric flutters slightly in the breeze, drawing my attention to the way it moves with her. Her olive-tan skin is glowing under the sunlight, and there's this natural shimmer that makes her look almost radiant. Her dark hair catches the light, making it appear even softer than usual.I try to focus on anything else, but my gaze keeps drifting back to her. There's something about the way she looks this morning, something that makes it hard to look away. Her skin seems to glisten in the sunlight, highlighting the natural warmth of her complexion. It's like she belongs here, in this place, under this sky.She catches me looking, and for a moment, our eyes lock. There's a small, al
Liam seems more way into character today.I know I didn't overthink or stretch things from the way he looked at me before the vineyard tour.He was literally taking me in, eyeing me from head to toe, so deliciously, that my body felt hot, and even now and then he kept sneaking glances at me. When he does this, he confuses me.I know I shouldn't expect anything, this is a contract marriage after all, which will end sooner or later, but these damn signals, and these feelings in my chest I can't explain.He's defended me twice already in front of his scary mother, Isabella Caruso, the Italian Money Maven, in the most honorable ways possible.The last time he defended me, during the tour, I wanted to stop time and jump into his arms, to kiss him 'cause he looked so fucking hot at that moment. He knows how to put me in heat.At this point I don't know how long I can suppress these hot feelings, even now as I sit in my room, I can't help but wonder how Liam's feeling, what he's thinking of
"Liam," Mother says as she walks in, her voice smooth and commanding. "We need to talk."I look up from my desk, trying to mask my irritation. "What is it, Mother?"She sits down gracefully, a practiced smile on her face that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "I had a little chat with Emma last night."My interest piques, but I keep my tone neutral. "Oh?""Yes," she continues, her eyes narrowing just slightly. "She was out admiring the estate. It's amusing to see someone so fascinated by our world. I suppose it's charming in a way, though I doubt she fully understands the significance of it all."Her words sting, but I keep my composure. "What exactly did you discuss with her?"Mother's smile tightens. "Oh, nothing of consequence. Just observing how she seems so... enthralled. I do hope she realizes that there are expectations that come with being part of this family."There's a subtle edge in her voice, a hint that Emma might have been put in her place. I don't like the way Mother talks
It's the morning after that almost-kiss, and I'm trying to keep my mind off of it. I spent most of breakfast convincing myself that it didn't matter, that the tension between Liam and me wasn't going to change anything. But the way he defended me yesterday... It's hard to just ignore that.I'm finishing up my coffee, trying not to think too hard about anything, when Liam suddenly appears at the doorway. There's something in his eyes that I can't quite read, but it makes my heart skip a beat."Emma," he says, his tone a bit softer than usual. "Come with me."I look up at him, surprised. "Where are we going?"He just gives me a small, almost mysterious smile. "Just sit back and relax. You'll see."Curiosity piqued, and I followed him outside to the car. The morning sun is warm, and there's a light breeze that makes everything feel fresh. I try to keep my cool, but being around Liam has me all jittery inside. What's he up to?He drives us through the estate, taking turns down familiar pa
The car hums softly as we drive through the winding roads of Tuscany. The vineyard's rows of grapevines slowly give way to open fields and rolling hills. I glance at Emma, who's sitting quietly beside me, her gaze fixed on the passing landscape. The tension that was there when we first started this day seems to have eased, replaced by a comfortable silence that I'm not used to sharing with anyone. She looks relaxed, her hair catching the sunlight as it filters through the car windows. It's hard not to notice the way the light plays on her skin, and I quickly shift my focus back to the road.She's curious, I can tell, but she doesn't ask where we're going. Maybe she trusts me enough to just enjoy the ride, or maybe she's lost in her thoughts. Either way, I'm glad for the quiet. It gives me time to think, to sort through the jumble of emotions I've been trying to ignore since the moment I met her.When we pull into a small village, I see her eyebrows raise slightly in surprise. The stre
"There you both are," Isabella sighs once she sees us.I turn to give Liam a perplexed look. Could there be anything of importance that we missed? Anything from the boring, suffocating schedule we skipped out on?"Evening Mother," Liam greets curtly."Save your greetings, where have you been? I called your line a few times," she explains quite furiously.She eyes me and Liam.I turn to look at him, is that true? Great. Another reason for her to hate me even more."I saw your calls, Mother. Please, let's get some rest, Emma and I are both tired after a long day--""Tired indeed. I wonder what she dragged you to, to make you miss out on this crucial meeting," she throws the blame my way."Leave Emma out of this," Liam steps forward, blocking me out of her gaze.His heroic act makes me swoon internally, I almost want to kiss him."What's all this about?" I finally muster the courage to ask, he can only speak for me long enough, at the end of the day, I have to stand up for myself."Oh dr
The night air is cool as I step out into the garden, looking for some space to clear my head. It's quiet out here, just the sound of crickets in the distance and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. The sky is clear, the stars scattered like a million tiny lights above. It's a night that begs for contemplation, but my thoughts are too jumbled for that right now.I walk further down the path, the gravel crunching softly under my feet. The estate is beautiful at night, the soft glow from the lights along the pathway casting shadows that make everything feel almost magical. But tonight, something's pulling me toward the garden, a quiet instinct I can't ignore. Maybe it's just the need to escape the weight of the day, or maybe it's something else.As I approach the stone bench nestled between two large rose bushes, I see a figure sitting there. It's Emma, her silhouette illuminated by the soft light from the moon. She's in her nightgown, the fabric delicate and flowing around he
Brunch in Rimini is exactly what I need after everything that's happened. We're at our favorite café, the kind with checkered tablecloths and the smell of fresh bread wafting through the air. The sea breeze drifts in from the open windows, carrying the saltiness of the Adriatic with it. Seated outside under a striped umbrella, our table is a colorful mess of pastries, cappuccinos, and fresh fruit. The sun casts a warm, golden light, but all I can think about is the last few days in Tuscany."So, spill," Gia says, leaning forward with her big, dark eyes wide with anticipation. She's perched on the edge of her seat, her petite frame almost bouncing with energy. "What happened with Mr. Brooding and Handsome?"I can't help but smile at the nickname. "It was... intense," I start, my voice a bit unsure as I stir my coffee. "He kissed me."Natasha, who's been twirling one of her blonde coils absentmindedly, suddenly perks up. "Wait, what? You and Liam kissed? Where? When?"Odette, ever compo