The Masked Dance

Monaco apparently took masquerades very seriously. Sienna realised that the second Luca's car pulled up outside the estate overlooking the ocean.

The mansion looked less like a home and more like somewhere movie villains hosted secret societies. Lights spilled across marble staircases while fountains glittered beneath the night sky. Luxury cars lined the circular driveway as masked guests drifted through the entrance in gowns and tailored suits worth terrifying amounts of money.

"Oh my God," Sienna muttered.

Beside her, Luca looked deeply entertained.

"You say that every time Monaco behaves exactly like Monaco."

"Because this city is unhinged."

"Our city," Luca corrected smoothly.

Sienna turned towards him.

"That felt dangerous."

His mouth curved beneath the black mask covering the upper half of his face.

Good Lord. The mask somehow made him even more attractive.

Earlier she'd spent forty minutes trying not to panic while getting ready, convinced the effort was pointless. Then Luca had seen her and gone completely still.

The black silk dress hugged her perfectly, its slit revealing flashes of leg while the crystal-lined silver mask hid just enough of her face to make her feel bolder than usual.

Luca still hadn't recovered.

"You're staring," she said as they climbed the staircase together.

"You look..." He exhaled softly. "Christ."

Sienna looked away before her heartbeat embarrassed her.

"That's not even a sentence."

"It's the only thought I have left."

Warmth rushed through her chest.

Luca offered his arm as they entered the ballroom and this time Sienna took it without arguing. The second they stepped inside, every head turned.

Music floated beneath enormous chandeliers while masked couples danced across polished marble floors. Waiters moved through the crowd carrying champagne beneath golden candlelight.

Sienna's hand tightened against Luca's arm.

He noticed immediately.

"You okay?"

"There are too many beautiful people in one room. It feels hostile."

A quiet laugh escaped him.

"You're doing fine."

"That sounded suspiciously sincere."

"It was."

As they moved through the ballroom, people constantly stopped Luca. Investors, socialites, politicians and women who looked personally offended by Sienna's existence.

Through it all, Luca covered her hand with his own.

"You hate this," he observed after the third conversation.

"I hate rich people networking rituals."

"That's fair."

One older man kissed Sienna's hand dramatically before complimenting Luca in Italian.

"What did he say?"

"Nothing important."

"That expression says otherwise."

"He said I finally look emotionally stable."

Sienna laughed.

"That's horrible."

"He's known me since childhood. He's not entirely wrong."

Before she could answer, the orchestra changed songs and couples drifted towards the dance floor.

Luca glanced at it.

"Oh no," Sienna said.

"Oh yes."

"I don't dance."

"That's tragic because we're already going."

Before she could protest, he guided her onto the floor.

"This feels manipulative."

"I prefer persuasive."

"You literally kidnapped me into a waltz."

"You'll survive."

The second his hand settled against the middle of her back, every coherent thought disappeared.

Oh, this was bad.

The orchestra swelled as Luca guided her effortlessly across the floor.

"You know how to dance?"

"I'm Italian and rich. It's legally required."

Despite herself, Sienna laughed and Luca looked devastatingly pleased.

The ballroom blurred around them until nothing seemed to matter except the way he looked at her.

"You're staring again," she whispered.

"I can't help it tonight."

Her pulse stumbled.

"Sienna."

The way he said her name made the room feel smaller.

"You look beautiful," he said quietly, without a trace of flirtation. Just honesty.

That somehow affected her far more.

She looked at him properly then and suddenly understood why women fell in love with Luca Moretti.

It wasn't the money, the looks or the charm. It was the way he made someone feel like they were the only person in the room.

A bubble of panic rose in her throat because she was starting to forget this wasn't real.

Luca's hand slid slightly higher against her back, drawing her closer.

Neither of them spoke.

Sienna's gaze dropped briefly to his mouth and, of course, Luca noticed. His expression softened as their dance slowed until they were barely swaying.

"Sienna," he murmured.

God, she wanted him to kiss her.

Luca leaned closer, his free hand lifting instinctively towards her face.

Everything else disappeared.

His forehead brushed lightly against hers. One more inch.

Then panic hit.

No strings, she'd said. No emotional attachment.

Sienna stepped backwards abruptly.

Luca froze.

"I can't," she whispered.

Hurt flickered across his face before the charming Luca Moretti smile returned.

"Of course," he said softly.

Which somehow made it worse.

Sienna's chest tightened.

"I should get some air."

Luca nodded once and let her go without stopping her.

That hurt too.