CHAPTER 45: May I Have This Dance?

CHAPTER 45: May I Have This Dance?

The air was alive when they arrived at the spot Luca had talked about…thick with music, laughter, and heat. Salsa rhythms flowed through the room like a living heartbeat, vibrant and unapologetic. The lights were low and warm as expected, casting everything in a seductive glow that felt deliberately intoxicating. It was nothing like the polished restaurants or the serene environments she was used to. This place was wild, expressive, and completely unrestrained.
And to her own shock, she actually liked it.
“You still have time to change your mind,” Luca said with a cheeky smile as he caught the admiration on her face.
She laughed out loud, and the sound startled her as much as it amused him.
“Don’t get carried away,” she said, hiding the surprise with a sarcastic tone. “I just didn’t expect you to know a place like this.”
He looked very pleased with himself and replied with quiet satisfaction. “I know many places you wouldn’t expect, Bella.”
“That sounds like a threat,” she replied, gently nudging him out of her way.
“Only if you’re afraid of enjoying yourself,” he answered, hurrying after her.
She paused and rolled her eyes at him. “Then by all means, lead the way, Don Moretti. Let's see what all this confidence is all about.”
They headed toward the bar first, weaving their way through bodies that were wildly moving to the music. Luca stayed close…not too possessive or overbearing, but present in a protective way that was subtle enough to be dangerous.
“Tequila. On the rocks,” Isabella called cheerfully to the bartender as she settled herself on a stool.
Luca immediately shook his head. “Absolutely not.”
She turned slowly, giving him a subtle look of surprise. “Excuse me?”
“You’re pregnant, Bella.”
“And?”
“And you’re not drinking tequila.”
She wanted to be rebellious, but she changed her mind and tried another approach instead…leaning closer to him instead, and whispering in his ears in a seductive and conspiratorial tone. “One or two shots won’t kill me, Luca. I actually need something to loosen up if you’re expecting me to dance.”
“I am already expecting you to dance,” he said slyly. “Especially without the hard liquor.”
She smiled sweetly. “You’re no fun, Don Moretti.”
“And you’re stubborn,” he muttered in frustration.
“Then we’re even,” she shot back. “One shot.”
“No.”
She pouted exaggeratedly. “But you dragged me out here.”
“And you agreed to come,” he answered, laughing despite not meaning to.
“Details,” she said dismissively. “Just one shot, Luca. I promise I won’t overdo it.”
He studied her for a long time, jaw tight, with his eyes dark with internal debate. Finally, he sighed.
“One,” he said firmly. “And that’s it.”
Her victorious grin was instant. “See? Compromise.”
He ordered, watching her like a hawk as the bartender poured his a
She lifted the glass in mock salute
“To bad decisions,” she said giggling.
“And to surviving them,” he replied with a warm smile.
She swallowed the shot in one gulp, hissing softly at the burn, then laughed again…brighter this time, and without holding back.
The music took on a higher tempo moments later, and they could feel the drums calling to them.
Isabella turned excitedly toward the dance floor. “That’s our cue.”
And she didn’t wait for him to answer.
The floor was already crowded with couples moving in beautiful rhythms…bodies held close, and steps completely confident. Isabella stepped into the space like she belonged there, demurely rolling her shoulders before her hips followed the beat without thought.
Luca joined her a second later without hesitation, and she felt his presence almost immediately.
His hand wrapped softly around her waist…not to claim or restrain, just simply guiding her body to the rhythm. The music wrapped around them, and for the first time in a long while, she allowed the logical part of her brain to shut down.
She moved to the freedom of the music.
And Luca matched her perfectly.
It shocked her that he wasn't stiff or cautious. He was perfectly fluid, and his body responded to hers like it had been waiting for this exact rhythm. He spun her effortlessly, caught her again, with his hand firm at her back as her laughter spilled freely.
“You seem to be really enjoying this,” he murmured near her ear.
She scoffed, breathless. “Don’t flatter yourself mister.”
But her body was saying something entirely different.
Each step they took drew them closer, and each turn only tightened the invisible thread between them. His touch was respectful but undeniably intimate…just enough pressure, just enough heat to set her nerves on fire.
She realized then that Luca Moretti wasn't dancing to impress.
He was simply dancing to connect.
Couples all around them suddenly began to slow their paces, creating space for them without realizing why. Eyes followed their movements. Whispers spread through the dance floor. And a loud applause broke out when the song finally reached its climax and ended in a sharp flourish.
Isabella barely noticed any of it. Her eyes were only for Luca…lost in the dreamy way he was looking at her.
The next song began soon…slower and softer.
A classical ballroom rhythm.
Luca stepped back slightly and extended his hand to her. The gesture was simple and old fashioned, but it was genuinely intimate.
She took it without hesitation.
He drew her in gently, one hand at her waist, the other holding hers. Her arm settled around his shoulder, and suddenly there was no space left between them. No hidden emotions. No walls.
It was just breath, heat, and motion as they swayed to the music.
Her head rested briefly against his chest before she caught herself and straightened, but he didn’t comment or push. He simply moved with her, guiding her gently, like this moment was all that mattered to him.
She became dangerously aware of his heartbeat beneath her palm. Steady, strong, and alive. She remembered him bleeding on the floor…Remembered the fear she had felt when she thought he was going to die.
Her grip tightened unconsciously.
“Bella,” he murmured.
She looked up.
Their faces were too close. His eyes searched hers passionately, and that scared her more than anything.
The music faded quietly into nothing but a background noise, and her mind went quiet.
And without thinking…without meaning to…she leaned in.
She had no idea when she kissed him.