Chapter 10
That night was supposed to be just another company event—a lavish, high-profile party celebrating the 78th anniversary of De Santis Investments. Amber had arrived feeling like an outsider, invisible in her royal blue dress among Rome’s elite, but it hadn’t taken long for her to realize she wasn’t as invisible as she thought.
It had all started with one embarrassing mistake. She had spilled an expensive glass of scotch all over Luca De Santis, the CEO—her boss. He had stood there, drenched and furious, staring at her like a wrathful god. His towering presence, the set of his jaw, and the intensity of his gaze had made her knees weak. Amber had braced herself for the inevitable—firing. She was sure she’d be packing up her things before the night was over.
But she hadn’t been fired.
Instead, as the night wore on, Amber found herself acutely aware of Luca’s eyes on her. Every move she made, every awkward step she took as she busied herself with party duties, was watched by him. His gaze was relentless, almost predatory, following her as if he was waiting for something. It was unnerving, sending shivers down her spine, making her hands shake. And yet, there was something thrilling about it, something that stirred deep inside her, something she couldn’t quite name.
An hour before midnight, the music shifted. The lively chatter of the guests gave way to the soft strains of a famous band, playing a romantic bestseller. The makeshift dance floor was suddenly crowded with couples swaying under the dim lights, the atmosphere electric with a subtle, sultry tension. Amber watched from her secluded corner, sighing quietly to herself. The view was like something out of a dream—the world’s most famous personalities, dancing in each other’s arms, glamorous and untouchable.
Yet the entire time, she could feel it—the weight of his eyes on her.
Luca stood across the room, his dark, brooding gaze never leaving her. He hadn’t danced with anyone, hadn’t even smiled. He had just watched her, and the intensity of it made her heart race. She could feel herself getting clumsier, more awkward with every passing minute. Every time she moved, she was hyper-aware of his presence, his eyes tracking her, making her feel like prey caught in the crosshairs of a hunter.
At one point, Amber tried to hide. She pressed herself against a marble pillar, breathing deeply to steady herself, desperate for a reprieve from his unyielding gaze. But it didn’t take long before someone found her—her immediate supervisor, with a stern expression and a thick Italian accent.
“The boss wants to see you,” he said. “Now.”
Amber’s stomach dropped.
Her heart raced as she nodded, feeling the color drain from her face. There was no other reason Luca would want to speak to her. This was it. She was finally getting fired. Gulping down the lump in her throat, she stepped out from her hiding spot and started walking toward him, her legs trembling with every step.
Luca stood in the far corner of the room, isolated from the glittering crowd. Even surrounded by the most powerful people in the world, he stood out—tall, broad, and untouchable. He didn’t move as she approached, didn’t blink. His eyes were locked onto her, dark and unreadable, but burning with something she couldn’t quite place.
When she finally reached him, she could barely breathe. She stood there, eyes downcast, waiting for the inevitable. But then, to her utter shock, Luca extended his hand.
For a moment, she didn’t understand. She looked at him, then at his outstretched palm, confusion swirling inside her. Was this some kind of cruel joke? Was he mocking her?
But no, he wasn’t.
His eyes, those piercing dark eyes, were steady, and there was no humor in them. Just heat. Slowly, hesitantly, Amber placed her trembling hand in his. The moment their skin touched, she felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her, her pulse quickening at the sensation. Without a word, Luca pulled her close—closer than she expected—and guided her to the dance floor.
The music wrapped around them like a cocoon, soft and slow. Luca’s hand slid to the small of her back, resting against the bare skin exposed by her dress. The touch was gentle but possessive, his fingers warm and firm against her. Their bodies were flush against each other, his chest solid and warm against hers. She could feel the heat radiating from him, the subtle rise and fall of his breathing, the strength in his arms as he held her close.
Amber’s heart pounded wildly, her breath coming in short, shaky bursts. She didn’t know how to process this—the way Luca’s eyes stayed locked on hers, intense and smoldering. His gaze made her feel exposed, vulnerable, like he could see right through her. Every step they took together made her feel more unsteady, more lost in him. She was stumbling, her body betraying her nerves as she awkwardly stepped on his foot more than once.
“Sorry…” she muttered, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment.
Luca didn’t even flinch. “Are you always this nervous,” he asked, his voice a low, velvety whisper, “or is it because of me?”
Amber’s response slipped out before she could stop it. “You, obviously.”
His lips curved into a small, almost amused smile. “Thought so.”
His hand moved slightly lower on her back, pulling her impossibly closer. Their bodies were pressed so tightly together that Amber could feel every contour of him, every muscle beneath the fabric of his suit. His height towered over her, making her feel small, fragile, in a way she hadn’t before.
Amber could barely breathe. The soft melody of the song that had wrapped them together, the muted hum of voices from the crowded ballroom, it all faded away.