Chapter 10: Warmth, Scent and Hardness

Maria's POV

I turned and turned on my bed, restless, even after that warm shower.

I couldn't sleep. Somehow the thought of Luca just kept hovering through my mind. My body just wanting to be close to him. Is it that I want him or I just want a man. 

It's been a while since Liam.

No. It's a been a long time since Liam.

And since that moron, no one has showed that they wanted me like Luca does.

I closed my eyes as I thought of him. How would he treat me if I gave myself to him?

The ideas that ran through my mind were definitely not normal.

I didn't even know when my hand travelled between my legs and I could feel my own wetness dripping.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

Before I knew it, my legs had carried me down the hall, my bare feet silent on the floors. I paused in front of his door, heart hammering wildly against my ribs. My hand lifted, then I hesitated, but then knocked softly.

Luca deep yet low voice answered almost immediately, like he hadn’t really been sleeping.

"Come in."

I slipped inside, holding the hem of my thin nightgown. Luca sat up in bed, the room's low lighting showed a little of his manly chest's figure. His dangerous eye looking gently at me. Almost felt like he was expecting me.

"You okay, little doll?" he asked, voice roughened by sleep.

I nodded, barely trusting myself to speak. "I... I couldn't sleep."

He patted the empty space beside him, and I moved without thinking, climbing onto the bed.

I just wanted to stay on that side of the bed without facing him but then asked if he could turn off the lights and I said yes without hesitation.

Almost immediately the lights went off, I placed myself against him. Without a second thought.

My cheek were on his warm skin, my hand resting lightly across his abdomen, feeling the slow, steady beat of his heart beneath my palm. He smelled of something dark and masculine, a scent so strong it made my body tingle.

His arm curled around me in silent invitation, gathering me close. How I enjoyed that.

He didn’t kiss me.

He didn’t touch me in any way that would break the fragile line he seemed determined to draw between us.

And yet, I could feel it — the tension rolling off him in waves, the unmistakable hardness pressing against my thigh where his body betrayed him.

I swallowed, shifting slightly, my hand skimming lower across his stomach, pretending it was innocent. Pretending I wasn’t trying to ask for something more.

I turned my face up toward him, breathing him in, my lips brushing lightly against his skin — a silent plea he could easily answer if he wanted to.

For a moment, the world held its breath.

Luca's muscles tensed under my touch, a low sound rumbling deep in his chest — half a growl, half a groan.

But when he spoke, his voice was steady, almost stern.

"Sleep, Maria," he whispered into my hair. "Just sleep."

He shifted subtly, making sure his body didn’t press too hard against mine, while keeping me wrapped tight in his arms. His touch was careful, protective — denying both of us without making me feel unwanted.

I pressed my face into the crook of his neck, hiding my blush. I should have been ashamed of myself, but somehow, he made me feel like there's nothing wrong with what had just happened.

The steady beat of his heart against my ear was like a lullaby.

The heat of his body, the strength in the arm holding me close — it was all I needed.

I breathed him in. I so much loved the way his scent seemed to intoxicate me, sending tingles and chills all over my body, especially between my legs.

His hand stroked gently over my back in slow, sleepy circles, making it impossible to think of anything else but him.

And maybe it was foolish, maybe it was dangerous, but I let myself believe — just for tonight — that I belonged right here.

In his arms.

Against his heart.

As my eyes grew heavier, a soft sigh escaped my mouth.

I felt his mouth give me a soft kiss against my hair, so light I might have dreamed it.

His arms tightened around me gently, drawing me closer to him like he never wanted to let go.

And with that, wrapped in his warmth, scent and hardness, I finally let myself fall asleep.