Chapter 19 -Architectural Dreams
Lucia The Victory Gardens Youth Center plans spread across my drafting table like dreams made tangible. Three stories of hope and possibility, designed to give street kids the chances we never had growing up in our gilded cages. My fingers traced the clean lines of the contemporary facade, the innovative use of space that would maximize every dollar of our limited budget.
“Working late, car
I didn’t tum at Dante’s voice. “Some of us have real work beyond political macharutions and family drama.”
His chuckle was low, dangerous as he moved behind me. “Is that why you’ve been hiding in here since the family dinner! To avoid more drama?”
“I’m not hiding.” But even heard the lie in my voice. “Tm working on something important”
His hands settled on my shoulders, thumbs working into knots of tension I hadn’t realized I was carrying. “Show me
“Why? So you can try to control this too!”
“So I can understand what makes you burn with such passion.” His fingers kept working magic on my muscles, making it hard to maintain ay anger. “Tell me about your dreams, Lucia.”
Something m his voice – a softness I rarely heard – made me turn slightly. “Why do you care!
“Because you’re mine.” Before I could protest that possessive statement, he added quietly. “Even if only for two years, I want to know everything that matters to you.”
Hest bloomed in my chest at his words, at the unexpected vulnerability in them. “The youth center will provide safe spaces for kids from the streets,” I found myself explaining. “Art rooms, computer labs, counseling services. A chance to break the cycle of violence and poverty.”
“Lake we did?” His hands slid down my arms, leaving fire in their wake. “Through family empires and careful alliances!”
“Not everyone lus that option.” I gestured to the plate. “These kids… they deserve better than choosing between street gangi or selling themselves
To survive
“And you’ll save them all?” There was no mockery in his voice, only genuine curiosity.
“Ell try “umed fully to face him, finding his face closer than expreted. “That’s what the foundation is about. Giving them options we never had.”
“Options” His thumbs traced my lower lip, sending shivers down my spine. “Lake marrying for love instead of duty”
“Danke…
“Tell me something cara. His other hand settled possessively on my hip. If you hadn’t been bom a Valentini, if you were just Lucia, what would
The question hit too close to home, too close to thoughts I’d been avoiding. “I doesn’t matter. We are who we are”
“That’s not an acrwer.” His lips brushed mine, a teasing almost–kiss that made my heart race. “What would you choose, if you were truly free!”
I meant to push him away. To maintain that professional distance we’d agreed on. Instead, I found myself pressing closer, drawn to his heat like a moth to flame. “Why are you really bere, Dante?”
“Because you’re avoiding me.” His mouth trailed clown my neck, finding that spot that made me gap. “Because I can’t stop thinking about what almost happened in the car. Because every time I try to stay away, something pills me back to you.”
“The campaign—“E started, but he cut me off with a kiss that stole my breath and my resistance.
“Fuck the campagn.” His hands slid under my silk blouse, finding bare skin. “Right now, I just want you.”
I should have stopped him. Should have remembered all the reasons this was a bad idea Ingrad, I found myself arching into his touch as his fingers made quick work of my batons.
“Someone could come in, I managed between kisses that felt like brands
He smiled against my throat, that dangerous smile that promised trouble. “Let them. Let them see who you belong to ”
“I don’t belong to My protest ended in a moan as his mouth found newly exposed skin
“No“” His hand slid up my thigh, finding the edge of my stockings. Then why are you trembling for me, cara? Why does your body respond to my touch like it was made for bot
“Because you’re impossible.” I gasped at his fingers teased higher, “And arrogant. And
“Yours,” he finished, lifting me onto the drafting table. “Whether you admit it or not.”
Paperi scattered as he laid me back, his mouth leaving a trail of fire down my body. I should have cared about the mess, about the carefully organized plans now strewn across the floor. Instead, I found myself pulling him closer, letting him devour my protests with kisses that felt like claime
“Tell me to stop,” he murmured against my skin, his hands pushing my skirt higher. “Tell me this is just business.”
“Thair you,” Threathed, but my fingers were already working on his tie, his shirt button.
He chuckled darkly. “No, tesoro. You hate that you want me as much as I want you. That this stopped being just business a long time ago.”
Before I could argue, his mouth was on mine again, stealing my denials with kisses that set my blood on fire, his hands seemed to be everywhere at
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Chapter 19–Architectural Dreams
once, leaving trails of heat that made me arch and gasp and forget why this was such a bad idea.
“Danie.” I moaned as his fingers found lace and beat. “We shouldn’t-”
“Shouldn’t what?” He slid two fingers inside me, making me cry out “Shouldn’t admit this is real? Shouldn’t let ourselves feel something beyond the
conme?
“Please.” I begged, not sure if 1 was asking him to stop or never stop
“Tell me what you need, cara” His voice was pure sin against my ear. “Tell me what you want.”
You. Always you. Even when I hate you, I want you.
But I couldn’t say that Instead, I pulled him back to my mouth, pouring all my confusion and want and anger into the loss. He responded instantly. his free hand tangling in my hair as he worked me higher with clever Lingers.
Later, as we lay tangled together on the floor among scattered blueprints and discarded clothing. I noticed something that made my heart stop.
“These permit approvals,” I said picking up a paper that had fallen from my desk. They re dared before our engagement. Before any of this.”
Dante stiffened slightly against me. “Luco—”
“You supported the youth center before you had any reason to.” I turned to face him, studying his perfect features in the dim light. “Why“”
Something vulnerable flickered in his eyes before his usual mask slid back into place. “Because it was a good project: Sound investment.”
“Liar.” I traced his jaw, feeling the muscle jump under my imich. “Tell me the truth.”
He caught my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm that felt more intimate than anything we’d just done. “Because it mattered to you,” he said finally- “Because even before all this, I watched you fight for those kids, for your dreams. And maybe.. maybe I wanted to be part of that fight.”
The admission hung between us, heavy with implications neither of us was ready to face.
“This doesn’t change anything I said, but my voice shook slightly
Doesnt He pulled me closer, his kiss softer now but somehow more dangerous. “What if I want it to!”
But before I could answer, his phone buzzed with that particular tone that meant campaign business. Reality crashed back like a cold wave.
“Dury calls.” I said, pushing away from his wannth
He caught my wrist before I could fully escape. “We’re not done talking about this.”
“We’re not done talking about anything.” I gathered my clothes, trying to rebuild my walls. “That’s the problem.”
His laugh followed me to the door. “Run all you wan, cara
