CHAPTER TWELVE —UNWANTED ATTRACTION

I think I lost my ability to breathe. Or think. Or conjure a word. Or any basic human necessity. Santiago’s words lingered in the air, heavy and catatonic:

Tell me something, Ariadne… Do you ever wonder what would’ve happened if you had? If circumstances were changed and I was the one you would be walking down the aisle to meet and vow your undying love to? Tell me.

I finally opened my mouth, but still no words came out. What was I even supposed to say to that? I could barely process being forced into marriage with Luca, and now his nephew was throwing this into the mix?

“What? Cat got your tongue?” Santiago mused, watching my reaction with amusement.

“I—” cleared my throat as I tried to put on a brave face, my mind racing. “I actually don't —”

“Oh, don't tell me you've never thought about it. Not even once,” He was towards me as he said those words and I kept staggering back for reasons I didn't know. This guy made me flustered and not in a good way. Seeing my reaction, he smirked. He was messing with me and loving every second of it. “Imagine… just imagine how different things would’ve been if it were me instead of him.”

“I'm—”

Before I could say anything, another voice—deeper, sharper—cut through the air.

“Santiago.”

My heart skipped a beat as we both turned to see Luca standing in the doorway, his jaw tight, his expression unreadable. Although he was glaring at his nephew, I could feel that unwelcome pull between us.

It was frustrating, maddening. I hated that I felt anything for him other than resentment. Yet, my body betrayed me, my stomach swimming in butterflies, and my skin prickling with awareness.

He was just standing there, but his presence filled the room, suffocating and consuming. Like a force I couldn’t escape.

He had to have cast a spell on me after that day. That was the only explanation for this sudden attraction.

“Stop messing with my fiancée," Luca said, voice calm but edged with warning.

Santiago chuckled, unfazed. “Pssstt, relax, Uncle. No need to get your panties in a twist. It was just a joke.”

Luca’s gaze darkened. “Find new ones.”

Santiago rolled his eyes, taking steps away from me. “God, you're no fun. I just wanted to slice the awkward tension in the air. Besides, Ariadne is not my type.” He cast me a lazy once-over before adding, “No offense, but you could never hold a torch near my Leona.”

I gaped at him. Was he being serious now? I wasn't angry that he'd said whatever he said, but he didn't need to explain why he didn't want me by comparing me to his woman. No offense to him too, but he was not my type. He was as good to look at as stale bread.

Something flickered in Luca’s expression. It wasn’t rage, but it was close. His fingers twitched at his side, and his lips pressed together in a firm line.

I didn’t understand why that comment seemed to get under his skin, but it did. For some reason, I expected him to be nonchalant about it. After all, we hated each other. He stood a little straighter, his shoulders squaring as he watched Santiago stroll toward the exit.

“I’ve seen what I came to confirm and so I'll be well on my way and leave you two love birds alone. See you guys at the wedding. Ciao.” He waved over his shoulder before disappearing.

Soon, the door closed and now, I was alone with Luca.

I crossed my arms, trying to act indifferent. “Your nephew is an ass.”

Luca exhaled through his nose, and started heading for the fridge. “Tell me something I don't know.”

I watched him scan the fridge and then finally took out sparkling water, and closed it back. He turned to me with an intense look. “What were you doing all alone with him in the dark?”

I raised a brow at him. “Jealous?”

He shook his head and walked to the kitchen island. “I think we will get along better if you learn to tailor your big mouth the exact size I want it.”

I scoffed. “Funny, you didn't tell me you intended to make me your puppet instead of your wife.”

“Oh, I only reserve that order in the bed. Trust me, I can make even the most dominant woman submissive.”

He chuckled proudly, and I shifted my leg as I felt electricity surge in-between my legs. God, what was he really doing to me?

“I see where Santiago gets his arrogance from. He is your exact carbon copy.”

Luca shrugged, opening the bottle and taking a swig straight from the bottle. “What can I say? I raised the kid. If he was any different from me, I'd be concerned.”

Hmm? Did he just say he raised Santiago? How old was Luca? I knew Santiago was in his late twenties and there was no way Luca was in his forties. Or … was he?

“How old are you, Luca?”

If he was surprised by my sudden interest, he did not show it. Instead, he looked up like was doing a mental calculation and said: “thirty four in September. Why?”

I shrugged, moving to him. “Just curious. Isn't that what you wanted?”

He watched me for a moment and then shook his head.

“By the way,” he said after a while. “We're going bridal shopping tomorrow. We leave before eight.”

I wanted to argue, but not having the strength, I nodded and then wished him goodnight (See? I was nice to him) and then went upstairs.

So much for coming downstairs for a drink. I already had my fill and that was just from watching Luca drink.

****

I stood in an extravagant bridal boutique, surrounded by endless rows of white lace, satin, and silk. The irony of it all made me want to laugh. I was picking out a wedding dress for a marriage I wanted no part in.

Luca sat in a plush chair near the fitting rooms, legs crossed, exuding effortless confidence as if he belonged in a place like this. He was looking down at his phone with a frown when I stepped out of the dressing room.

The moment I emerged in the gown, his head snapped up. And then… he gaped.

Heat crept up my neck. I guess that meant he was pleased. I expected some reaction, but not this. Not the way his gaze darkened slightly, the way his fingers tightened around the armrest, the way his lips parted ever so slightly before pressing into a thin line.

The dress was stunning—off-the-shoulder, fitted at the waist, flowing down in soft waves of fabric. It hugged my body in all the right places, and I had to admit, I looked like a princess and the way Luca was looking at me confirmed he shared the same thoughts.

He stood, his voice tinged with an emotion I couldn't decipher. “You look…” He hesitated, and for a moment, I thought he wouldn’t finish. Then he did. “Breathtaking.”

My heart betrayed me by thumping. When I started to feel heat creep up in my cheeks, I looked away, pretending to examine the gown. “I know.”

Luca chuckled, stepping closer behind me. “Of course you do.” His voice was lower now, smooth and rich, sending a shiver down my spine. “But it doesn’t change the fact that it’s true.”

I swallowed hard, and then turned to meet his gaze. “Fair warning: flattery won’t make me like you, Luca.”

“I don’t need you to like me, Ariadne.” He tilted his head slightly, his eyes burning into me. “I just need you to be my wife.”

Something about the way he said it sent a ripple of something dangerous through me. And as much as I wanted to deny it, I knew I was in trouble.

Because Luca Russo wasn’t just an arrogant billionaire.

He was a man who could unravel me without even trying.

Shaking off that reminder, I turned to the boutique assistant, ignoring the way my stomach flipped. “I’ll take this one.”

Luca’s lips curled with a pleased smile. “Perfect choice.”

Another thing? I hated that his approval sent another shiver down my spine.