Chapter Forty Five..

As promised, Luca arrived to pick me up two hours later. Right on time, neither a second early nor a minute late. He couldn't help but feel a sense of intrigue as he watched me climb into the Beast with the box that had dessert inside of it.

I smirked and playfully teased him, letting him know that he would have to wait until dessert to uncover the surprise. I was captivated by one of his enchanting smiles that I seldom witnessed. Upon our arrival at his penthouse, I promptly placed the dessert in the refrigerator. Luca went to freshen up and change into something more relaxed. I notice a bottle of wine resting on the bench. I retrieve two wine glasses from the cupboard, uncork the bottle, and carefully pour the glasses halfway before taking them into the living room, delicately placing them on the coffee table.

“Do you think you should be drinking, Vanessa?” I feel his breath on my nape.

I slowly turn around and face him. “I’m sorry,” I say as I scrunch my nose up at him. “I saw th