All Chapters of Ruined by Desire: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

    Milan became Luca’s fault almost immediately.Technically, the trip was supposed to be business. That was the official explanation anyway. A twenty-four-hour visit for meetings with investors, fashion executives and one luxury hotel group Luca claimed was “painfully incompetent.”    Sienna had agreed to come because Noir needed photographs from a private fashion event happening   the same weekend. That was the professional version of the story. The real version? Neither of them had wanted to spend three full days apart after the “casual arrangement” conversation at the marina.    'Casual' was already going extremely badly. Because apparently “keeping things simple” meant Luca texting her good morning every day like a devoted husband trapped inside a billionaire playboy’s body.     “You’re spiralin

The first real disagreement happened over a watch which felt ridiculous considering Luca Moretti owned enough expensive watches to fund several small countries.“You’re glaring at jewelry,” Theo observed carefully.“I’m reflecting.”“You look one passive-aggressive comment away from committing crimes.”Sienna ignored him and lifted her camera again toward the luxury showroom across the ballroom. Tonight’s event occupied the rooftop level of an absurdly expensive Milan hotel where diamond brands, fashion executives and wealthy socialites floated between champagne towers pretending ten-thousand-euro accessories were normal purchases.Technically, Sienna was working but she was actually unraveling slightly.Because somewhere between the private jet, Luca casually buying out an entire restaurant for privacy after their flight landed and the horrifying reali

Sienna discovered she’d become internationally recognizable because of a croissant. Specifically, because she was halfway through stealing one off Luca’s plate outside a café in Milan when six cameras exploded from across the street like paparazzi had been summoned directly from hell itself. “Oh my God.” Flashbulbs erupted instantly. “Sienna! Over here!” “Luca! Is this serious?” Sienna froze mid-crime, still holding stolen pastry while Luca reacted immediately. One second he was relaxed in a linen shirt looking unfairly attractive in morning sunlight. The next, every trace of casual ease disappeared beneath sharp protective focus. “Inside,” he said calmly. His hand found the small of her back instantly as security appeared seemingly from nowhere. Sienn

Sienna discovered Luca had dated an alarming number of women entirely by accident. She knew he had dated women, but the sheer number astounded her.“You’re glaring at a seating chart,” Theo observed carefully from beside her.“I’m processing information.”“You look like you’re preparing for psychological warfare.”Sienna folded her arms tighter across her chest while staring at the elegant white place cards arranged near the entrance of Milan’s charity gala. Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead while string music drifted softly across the ballroom. And directly beside Luca’s name? Viviana Moreau. Theo followed her gaze and immediately winced.“Oh no.”“Who is she?”“You know who she is.”Sienna absolutely did know who she was. Viviana Moreau was a French actress and international campaign model who was frequently photographed wearing obscene diamonds while leaving yachts beside impossibly famous men. Also apparently? Luca’s ex-girlfriend. “She’s beautiful,” Sienna muttered before s

Morning sunlight spilled across Luca’s Milan penthouse while Sienna stood barefoot in his kitchen stealing strawberries directly from the expensive fruit arrangement someone had apparently delivered at sunrise because billionaires lived in a completely different tax bracket of reality.“This is excessive,” she informed him.Luca glanced up from his espresso machine.“It’s fruit.”“It’s arranged like a royal engagement announcement.”“You’re suspicious of produce now?”“I’m suspicious of your entire lifestyle.”Luca laughed softly under his breath before sliding a coffee toward her across the marble island. Sienna took it carefully, trying not to acknowledge how domestic this had started feeling lately. Which was exactly why she’d developed a new coping mechanism. Flirting warfare. If she kept Luca distracted, off balance and mildly emotionally tortured at all times, maybe she wouldn’t have to think too hard about the terrifying fact she was falling catastrophically in love with him. H