Bound By Scandals

d lazily, remnants of jet lag still fogging her mind. As awareness set in, memories of l

nt, they had walked back to town hand in hand, neither quite wanting the night to end. When they fi

had murmured, punctuating the invitation with a soft kiss on her ha

rescoes on the ceiling, she contemplated how quickly this g

nothing about this man besides his first name and expensive taste. But the bigger pa

d, jolting her from her musing. She smil

age read. "Plans tonight are confirmed. I'll send a car fo

e sheets. She had twelve hours to kill until their next

art-filled piazzas. She lunched on bruschetta al fresco and sat people-watc

phone call. Samantha had messaged her best friend last ni

y Eat, Pray, Love journey to find yourself a

ttle of both. I'm already fee

and gelato-fueled enlightenment. But I

ung over her. For now she wanted to keep Luke ju

ss for a timeless black cocktail number she luckily packed. Right

could make out a sprawling estate silhouetted against the violet sky.

. "You look absolutely stunning," he said, gre

adjusted his navy tie, liking this flir

ings. Only the endless top-shelf liquor selection and contemporary art hinted someone actua

kfast with Italian executives, afternoon advisory board meeting, the etiquette of global deal-making.

ngs were for...

ghted pause. "Wilson Technolo

ne. "Wilson Technologies as in one of

ish nod and studi

" she stammered, thoughts spinning over this revelation. It

ssmen on the planet. And she was a causal fling, a n

glass. "To new connection

ile. "To surprises,"

ver hers, looking earnestly into her conflicted eyes. "I hope my world doe

clashing thoughts, worries amplified by wine. Was this really headed anywhere or just an amusement? Would t

ke's thumb gently caressed her wrist. "Stay a while longe

d, drawn to the promise and temptation of it all despite her hesitation. In that

easy rhythm - waking up together in the villa, Luke heading off to meetings while she lounged

estions about her goals and hung on every word, making up for their inequality in status with sincere interest

woman free to be vulnerable, imperfect, giddy with the first flushes o

g off pensively into the distance, a storm behind his eyes. Or he would deflect certain pers

ction between them eclipsed everything else. Samantha quelled the

ead on Luke's chest listening to his heartbeat, S

o her hair. After a pause, she tilted her face up to his with a