6: Trusting Him

"Mr. Avancii."

Gina’s voice was flat, unimpressed.

Maria stiffened, her heart stalling in her chest.

Luca, on the other hand, remained completely unbothered. He didn't even turn to acknowledge Gina properly—just kept his hand possessively on Maria’s thigh like nothing had changed.

Gina exhaled sharply, shifting the tablet in her arms.

"Never in all my years of working here did I think I would ever hear you say that."

Maria blinked, confused.

Luca, however, smirked.

"What, ‘fiancée’?" His voice was smooth, amused, as if he found her disbelief entertaining.

"That," Gina said pointedly, "and watching you actually use your office for something other than business."

Maria’s face flamed, but Luca only chuckled.

"You wound me, Gina."

"Do I?" she deadpanned.

Luca let out a low laugh, finally straightening to look at her fully.

"You need something?"

Gina pinched the bridge of her nose.

"You have a meeting in five minutes."

Luca tilted his head.

"And?"

"And," Gina gritted out, "your presence is required. Which means you need to stop—" she gestured vaguely at him and Maria "—whatever this is."

Luca exhaled dramatically, as if this were a great inconvenience.

"Fine," he drawled, then turned back to Maria.

Maria swallowed as his dark gaze met hers, something wicked flashing in his eyes.

"Looks like you’re off the hook, sweetheart," he murmured.

Maria sucked in a breath, pretending her stomach didn’t just flip at the teasing in his voice.

Luca, still smirking, finally released her, his hands dragging leisurely down her thighs before he pulled away completely.

Maria let out a slow breath, smoothing down her dress as she hopped off the desk, careful to keep her legs steady.

Gina watched the exchange with thinly veiled exhaustion.

"Are we done?" she asked, expression unreadable.

"For now," Luca said lazily.

Gina muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like, "I need a raise," before pivoting on her heel and leaving the office, heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.

The door shut behind her.

Maria exhaled.

She turned back to Luca, ready to say something—maybe scold him, maybe ask what the hell just happened—but before she could, Luca was speaking again.

"You’re going back to Edwards’ company today."

Maria blinked.

"What?"

"To finalize the divorce." Luca leaned against his desk, arms crossed over his broad chest, expression unreadable. "The sooner it’s done, the better."

Maria hesitated.

She wasn’t sure why she felt… uneasy.

Maybe because actually finalizing the divorce made everything feel real. Permanent.

But it was permanent.

Edwards had made sure of that.

Maria swallowed hard and nodded.

"Alright."

Luca studied her for a moment, then pushed off the desk.

"After that," he continued smoothly, "we’ll go ring shopping."

Maria’s breath hitched.

"What?"

"You heard me." His voice was casual, but his eyes glinted with something deeper. "Can’t have a fake engagement without a ring, can we?"

Maria opened her mouth, then shut it again.

He wasn’t wrong.

But the thought of standing in a jewelry store, letting Luca slide a ring onto her finger… it made something in her chest squeeze uncomfortably.

"Okay," she said finally.

Luca’s lips twitched, like he knew she was overthinking.

"Good girl."

Maria’s stomach flipped.

Luca turned, walking toward his desk, but just before he sat, he threw over his shoulder, "You won’t be going alone, by the way."

Maria frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"You’ll take a car, a driver, and two bodyguards."

Maria stared at him.

"That’s not necessary."

"It is." Luca’s voice was firm now, all teasing gone. "Edwards won’t like that you’re cutting ties with him completely. He might try something."

Maria hesitated.

Luca wasn’t wrong.

Edwards had always been controlling, always made her feel like she was something to be possessed rather than loved.

And after what happened the last time she saw him…

Maybe having security wasn’t such a bad idea.

She nodded.

"Alright."

Luca’s gaze flickered over her, satisfied.

"They’ll also help you pack your things from his place," he added.

Maria stiffened.

"I—" She swallowed. "I hadn’t thought about that."

Luca raised a brow.

"Where did you think you were going to stay?"

Maria shifted.

"A hotel, maybe."

Luca let out a soft, exasperated laugh.

"Not happening, sweetheart."

Maria frowned.

"Then where—?"

"With me."

Her breath caught.

"Luca—"

"No arguments." His tone left no room for debate. "You’re moving into my house."

Maria stared at him, stunned.

It was too much.

Too fast.

And yet…

She didn’t protest.

Because deep down, she knew she could trust him.

She’d grown up with Luca.

He was her brother’s best friend.

She knew him.

And that was the real reason she wasn’t fighting this.

Not because of the deal.

Not because she had no other options.

But because, when it came to Luca Avancii…

She knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

She took a slow breath.

"Okay," she murmured.

Luca smirked.

"That’s my girl."

Maria’s stomach twisted at the way he said it—possessive, claiming.

He stepped closer, crowding into her space again.

Maria barely had time to react before he tilted her chin up with two fingers, gaze locking onto hers.

"One last thing before I go," he murmured.

Maria barely had time to inhale before his lips crashed against hers.

She melted instantly, hands curling into his shirt as he deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping into her mouth, taking, claiming—ruining her for anyone else.

Maria whimpered softly, pressing closer, letting herself drown in him for just a moment longer.

Then—his hands moved lower.

She gasped against his lips as his fingers skimmed beneath her dress, brushing against the soft cotton of her underwear.

Luca groaned.

"This," he muttered against her mouth, "is a problem."

Maria barely had time to process his words before she felt him—adjusting her underwear, smoothing it back into place as if it had been teasing him the whole time.

She knew she should be mortified.

But all she felt was heat.

A deep, consuming warmth that settled low in her belly as Luca pulled back, smirking.

"Wouldn’t want you looking too flustered when you see your ex, now would we?" he murmured.

Maria’s breath was shaky.

She forced herself to glare at him, even as her legs threatened to give out.

"Go to your meeting, Avancii."

Luca chuckled, stepping back completely.

"See you later, sweetheart."

And with that, he strolled out, leaving Maria standing there, flushed, breathless, and completely, utterly ruined.