Chapter 38 Chapter 39
Valeria’s POV
Strangely, I didn’t want to let go of him.
My hand rested lightly against Luciano’s chest, and for a moment I simply stood there, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing beneath my fingers. His warmth seeped into my skin, and something unfamiliar stirred inside me.But the moment I realized what I was doing, panic shot through me.
I quickly pulled my hand away as if I had been burned and took a few hurried steps backward.Luciano noticed,Of course he did.A low chuckle escaped his lips as he watched my reaction. The sound of his laughter filled the quiet kitchen, deep and teasing.
Before I could react, he stepped closer, closing the distance between us in just a few strides.My heart began to beat faster.
“Luciano—”
But before I could finish my sentence, he suddenly lifted me off the ground as if I weighed nothing at all.“Hey!” I shrieked in surprise.The next thing I knew, he had placed me on top of the kitchen cabinet.
“What are you doing? Put me down!” I protested, my voice coming out sharper than I intended.But Luciano only leaned closer, Much closer.His presence surrounded me, and suddenly the air between us felt too warm… too heavy.
“Tell me something,” he murmured, his voice dropping into a soft whisper.
His breath brushed lightly against my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.
“Tell me you don’t want any of this.”
For a moment, my mind went completely blank.The closeness.The way his eyes were fixed on mine.The warmth of his breath against my skin.It made my thoughts scatter in every direction.
But no.This wasn’t supposed to happen.
None of this was part of the plan.
We were only bound by a contract.A simple arrangement, Nothing more.
And when those 185 days were over, everything between us would end.
Remembering that was like a splash of cold water against my face, I quickly pushed against his chest.
“Stop it,” I muttered.Before he could react, I jumped down from the cabinet.My feet hit the floor with a soft thud as I hurried away from him.I grabbed the nearest jug of water from the counter, trying to keep my hands busy.Trying to steady myself.
Trying to pretend that my heart wasn’t racing wildly inside my chest.For a brief moment, I stole one last glance at him.
Luciano was still standing there, watching me.That same amused smile lingered on his lips.It made my stomach twist nervously.Unable to stand his gaze any longer, I quickly turned and rushed out of the kitchen.
By the time I reached my room, my breathing had become uneven.I shut the door behind me and leaned against it.
My heart was beating rapidly in my chest.
Too fast.Far too fast.My fingers trembled as I lifted my hand and gently touched my face.
It felt warm,embarrassingly warm.
With my other hand, I pressed my palm against my chest, trying to calm the frantic rhythm of my heartbeat.
“Valeria… what is happening to you?” I whispered softly to myself.My voice sounded weak even to my own ears.
“You can’t be doing this,” I continued, shaking my head slightly.“This isn’t real. It’s not supposed to mean anything.”
I walked toward the small table beside my bed and poured myself a glass of water.
The glass shook slightly in my hand.“The only reason you’re here,” I reminded myself firmly, “is because you’re waiting for those 185 days to be over.”
Nothing more, Nothing less.I raised the glass to my lips and drank the water in one long gulp But even after that, my hands were still trembling, exhausted, I lay down stiffly on my bed.I shut my eyes tightly, hoping sleep would come quickly and wash away the strange feelings swirling inside me.But sleep refused to come.
Minutes passed, Then more.I tossed from one side of the bed to the other, adjusting my pillow again and again.
Yet my mind refused to quiet down. Every time I closed my eyes I saw Luciano’s face.The way he had looked at me.The way he had spoken.The way his breath had brushed against my neck.Frustrated, I buried my face deeper into the pillow.
“Just sleep,” I muttered.Eventually, exhaustion began to pull me under.
Slowly, my thoughts faded,and sleep finally claimed me.But even in my dreams…He was still there.I heard his voice first.Dangerously close.My body shifted slightly as I turned to the other side of the bed, adjusting the pillow beneath my head.
Then suddenly,I felt it.Warm breath against my face.My eyes fluttered open.And there he was.Luciano.Standing right beside the bed.The faint smile on his lips grew wider the moment he saw me looking at him.
Before I could react, he leaned closer.
His lips pressed gently against mine.
My eyes widened in shock.
I tried to pull away.Tried to push him back.
But his arms wrapped around me, holding me firmly in place.The more I struggled, the stronger his hold became.Slowly…
My resistance began to weaken.
His kiss deepened, stealing the air from my lungs.
My heart pounded wildly as warmth spread through my entire body.Without realizing it, I slowly melted into his touch.His hands moved lower, trailing softly along my waist.
A soft sound escaped my lips before I could stop it.And then—He leaned closer to my ear.His voice dropped into a low whisper.
“You’re mine.”
The words sent a strange heat rushing through me.My body reacted before my mind could even process what was happening.Just as everything reached its peak—I suddenly felt someone tapping my shoulder.The moment shattered instantly.
My eyes snapped open, I gasped.Standing beside my bed was one of the servants.
“Madam,” she said politely, “breakfast is served.”Without waiting for a response, she turned and quietly walked out of the room. I sat up slowly in bed.My mind struggled to catch up with reality, And then it hit me.
It had all been a dream, nothing more than a dream.Embarrassment rushed through me like a wave.“Oh my goodness…” I muttered under my breath.
I squeezed my eyes shut tightly for a moment, unsure of what to do with myself.
But the memories of the dream refused to fade.
Every moment, every touch,every word.
It all replayed vividly inside my mind.
Groaning softly, I sank back onto the bed.
I grabbed my pillow and buried my face into it. My fingers clutched the fabric tightly.I wanted to scream in frustration.But instead, I just lay there, silently wishing I could erase the dream from my memory.