Bound by Blood and Desire

ed with cascades of white roses and gold accents, the air thick with the scent of expensive perfume and the low hum of whispered conversations. Isabella s

irlwind of fear and resignation. Luca stood beside her, his presence as commanding as ever. He wore a black tuxedo, the crisp lines of it

she repeated the vows when prompted. "I do," she whispered, the words tasting like ash o

ers. He was polite but distant, his attention divided between her and the guests-men in sharp suits who spoke

n for them, and Isabella slid into the backseat, her heart racing as Luca joined her. The car pulled away from the

uca unlocked the door and stepped aside to let her in, his movements precise and deliberate. Isabella

oved his jacket, tossing it over the back of a chair, and loosened his tie. I

d, his voice low. "I'm

darting to his. "I... I don't

tense. "I expect you to be my wi

st, to tell him she wasn't ready, but the words caught in her throat. Luca reac

ed, his touch surprisingly ge

her voice barely

in a searing kiss. It was possessive, demanding, and yet there was a hint of something else-something that made he

eat of his body, the strength in his embrace, and despite her fear, a part of her r

uca's eyes burned with desire, his voice rough as he said

room was bathed in soft light, the large bed dominating the space. Luca set her down gently, his hands moving t

er along her collarbone. "You're beautiful," he said, his v

, her voice barely audi

er of understanding crossing his face.

Luca cupped her face in his hands, his thumb brushing against her lower lip. "I'll

mattress. Luca was true to his word, his touch alternating between dominance and tenderness, coaxing responses from her that she did

's arm was draped over her waist, his warmth a stark contrast to the coldness of the room. Isabella stared

e softer than she had ever heard it. "S

still reeling. As she drifted off to sleep, one thoug