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His lips touched the back of her neck and she quivered Tilted her head without thinking, allowing hientle curve

His arhtened around her and his wide hands rested just below her waist, their warh to her skin

“You didn’t correct me just now”

“No, I didn’t” The words came out on a breathy whisper

How could she possibly explain that the way he said it sounded different? How could she do that withoutthis more than either of them wanted?

“You would honor iven name, Mariella It was the name of a woman I loved very much and I’ve missed the sound of it on my lips”

Her lips parted but no sound came out How could she refuse him now? They’d moved this far out of the realm of strictly business and she wasn’t at all sure how it had happened She only knew they had a connection Knew that soht they had shared more than simple family history Somehow, in between the main course and this moment, she’d started to trust Luca She’d let him in, whether he realized it or not

She sed, opened her eyes and turned so that she was still in his ar him

“You really mean that That’s not a line, is it”

He shook his head “My nonna was very special to me And she would have liked you, Mariella She’d have liked you very much”

Mari would have answered, but Luca bent his head and kissed her again, sending all her words scattering into the starlight

CHAPTER SEVEN

“YOU wanted to see me, Mari?”

Mari looked up as Luca stopped at the door to her office The smooth sound of his voice sent flutters over her skin and she shook theht weren’t real Today as real She had to set the tone

Last night had been a fantasy, dressed up in finery, gazing at stars froet back to business Gone was the dashing eous hero, and in his place was the real Luca The one in regular trousers and trendy shirts that showed off the lean physique of his upper body She couldn’t stop the visceral reaction to his appearance anyhim had been a terrible mistake

No matter hoonderful