Chapter 4

Luca tried his best to ognore the woman next to him, but his tatics worked for only two minutes and he couldn't for the life of him, concentrate, without something about her, filtering into his thoughts.

She was easily the sexiest woman he had ever met.

She wasn't model beauty standard. Far from it.

Elena Ricci... well Elena De Santis was every inch a woman.

Her hair was thick and wavy, their deep rich chesnut brown higlighted perfectly against her skin. All he had wanted to do since the first day he had set his eyes on her was wrap his fingers around that hair and pull. Fuck...

The thought of her on all fours, amnd his hand in her hair, pulling back while he did unimaginable things to her, made him shudder lightly.

Her skin... oh how he wanted to taste every inch...

Elena didn't know what she had signed up for.

Sure he wanted her to hate him. He didn't believe in love. Not ever.

Besides, if she found out the truth.....nahh he wasn't going to go there.

But she was going to do his bidding.

He hated women, didn't see them as more than what he knew they were meant for. Pleasure. And pleasure was what he was going to get from his new wife.

The buzz of his phone dragged him out of his thoughts.

Luca almost hissed when he saw who it was, but business was business.

"Remember our agreement, De Santis. I have done my part, so it's now time to do yours."

Luca smirked, typing a reply.

"I don't go back on my word, Alberto."

He definitely didn't. The war was going to take a turn from tonight. He cold only hope it was for the better.

Elena made a sound from beside him, causing Luca to direct his gaze to her.

The way the dim light highlighted her lips, was enough to. make him release a shaky breath.

How on earth could she have such an effect on him?

He hadn't even really touched her yet.

Luca squeezed his eys shut, and went back to his tablet, where he immersed himself in his business.

~

The De Santis estate was a fortress of luxury and power, standing atop a secluded hill overlooking the city. She wasn't going to pretend like the vie from up there wasn't going to be spectacular, to say the least.

It reminded her so much of the house she had grown up in. Although that was a long time ago, but not as big or as secluded as this one.

A fortress.

A very befitting word to describe the building in front oh them. Just how many decades ago was the hous built? 4? 5?10?

The moment the car rolled through the grand iron gates, Elena felt the weight of her confinement settle over her like chains. Chains she knew would be almost impossible to break free from. Almost.

She was trapped.

Luca siad nothing, just nodding to the driver, and opening the door to his side, and getting off. Still withouth saying a word, he rounded the car, and waited just a few steps away as the driver came around to open the door for her.

Elena swallowed, her heart beginning to race a bit as she gathered the skirts of her dress, and stepped down from the vehicle to join the man who was now her husband.

Luca led her inside, his presence suffocating as they walked through the lavish halls. Every ornate chandelier, every expensive painting, every marble floor tile spoke of his wealth and ruthlessness.

And it was completely devoid of warmth, just like the owner, who silently led the way, his shoulders stiff with pride and arrogance.

The house was beautiful, yet to her, it was nothing more than a house. It could never be a home to her.

She hadn't realized that she had stopped midstride to look at a painting just to her side., until she heard someone clear their throat, causing her to jump slightly, and continue her tour.

The master bedroom was as extravagant as the rest of the mansion, with a massive four-poster bed that sent a chill down her spine. Luca turned to her, his gaze unreadable as he studied her expression.

Was this where she was going to sleep? Or rather, the two of them? Alone?

The thoughts of them sleeping on that bed next to her, sent mixed feelings through her.

“You’re terrified,” he said, amusement lacing his tone. There was a slight tilt to his lips. So slight you could almost miss it, if you were not looking.

“I’m disgusted.” she raised a defiant chin towards him, not wanting him to see how affected she was becoming by the minute. And she was... well... terrified.

But disgust...?

His smirk widened, infuriating her the more. “Keep telling yourself that.” The confidence that laced his tone, needed to be studied.

Luca stepped towards her, looking too big in the room which in turn, suddenly seemed too small for the two of them to be alone in.

She took a step back, clearing her throat. "Where would I sleep tonight? And where are my things?" As she asked, she took a quick glance around, hoping her things were not in the room with them.

Such a big man sharing a bed with her, was too dangerous, and she knew that.

Hopefully in this big ouse, there were many other rooms she could sleep in? Heck, she would not hesitate to take the one in another wing which was farthest from him.

Luca stepped closer again? "What? Are you afraid to sleep here? You think I would pounce on you like a freaking lion?" His face was void of expressinon, but the mocking tone was still there.

Elena chose not to be fazed. "No, I merely think we would not be able to tolerate each other's presence, so space would be adviced." she hoped she sounded believable.

Luca moved closer again, thist time, forcing her into a corner with no where to go, except she had the magic powers to pass through him. "And who says we would not be able to tolerate each other?" H stopped just a hair's breath away from her, oozing warth. His scent found its way into her nostrils, and she couldn't for the life of her, not like it. "There are so many other things we could do on this bed that would be very tolerating, dont you think?"

Red, hot like fire, made its way from her cheeks, to her neck as she read his meaning instantly.

The fleeting imagination that consumed her head for a short while before she slammed it shut, almost sent her to her knees.

She was no pro, but she was o innocent either.

And the image Lucas was projecting...

Her teeth clenched, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, she turned away to the side, managing to escape without touching him and walking toward the windows, needing distance, needing air.

“You don’t have to sleep in my bed tonight,” he said suddenly, making her freeze. “I’m not a monster, Elena. But don’t test my patience.” His tone, which was alway cold, even when he had just proposed something intimate, gree colder.

She slowly turned back to him, wary. “And what does that mean?”

“It means,” he stepped closer again voice dropping into something dark and commanding.

What was it with the man and crowding her personal space? Coudn't he take a hint from her fleeing every damn time?

Elena said nothing and just let him speak.

“that while I may grant you mercy tonight, I expect obedience. You may hate me, but you will respect me.” That sounded like a threat. And she was in fact scared, because she knew he meant every damn wor he said.

But why was he body having a slightly different reaction to his words than she would have expected?

Elena’s nails dug into her palms. Her defiance was a fire inside her, but she knew better than to provoke a man like Luca carelessly.

"See you tomorrow, princess." And then he was out of the room, shutting the door and taking his icyness with him.

But something remained. His scent, and a bit of his presence.

And it bugged the hell out of her.

The man was playing a game. A game which she could indulge in, but knew bwtter than to do so.

Besides, at least he gave her an out tonight. She would use it to the fullest. 

After todays' event, she did need to rest, and finally let all that happened finally sink in. 

A though made its way into her head.

Donavan had been at her wedding. Why? And how had her dad let him in, especially with how secured the place was?

Also....who on earth, had a wedding without a reception! 

There was only one answer.

Luca De Santis