➼ Chap. 05 ⭑

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P A R I S

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P A R I S

When I see Luciano standing by the pool, my heart races at first. His presence always does that to me, even when I expect him. But the thrill shifts quickly when I register his stance.

He's pissed.

Arms crossed, mouth tight, that deep scowl carved into his features, that vein in his neck that only pops when he's genuinely pissed off. His jaw flexes once—hard. His shirt pulls tight across his chest, muscles bulging beneath the dampened fabric from the humidity in the air.

Damn. He looks so good when he's mad and it only makes me want to push his buttons even more.

"Get out of the pool. Now."

His voice is all command. No warmth. No amusement. Just sharp, hard-edged authority.

Naturally, I do the exact opposite.

Instead of hurrying out like an obedient girl, I float lazily on my back like a siren waiting for her prey. I glance up at him from beneath wet lashes, grinning when I catch the slight twitch in his brow. He's trying so hard not to lose it.

"What's the rush?" I call, tilting my head back so I can peek at him upside down. "I was just starting to relax."

"Paris," he warns, glaring at me. "I'm not in the mood. Out."

I drift toward the edge but make no effort to climb out. I rest my elbows on the side and prop my chin in my hands, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes.

"You're home early."

He doesn't respond. He just stares down at me, lips tight, eyes clearly not staying where he wants them to.

"Why do you look tense?" I say sweetly.

His nostrils flare, and he exhales through his nose like he's trying to summon patience from another dimension.

"I told you to stay off that ankle. So explain to me what the hell are you doing in the pool."

"Hydrotherapy?" I grin. "Very low-impact."

Luciano's jaw tightens so hard I half-expect to hear it crack.

"Get out. Before I lose my fucking patience."

"Or..." I trail my fingers along the water's surface, then flick a few droplets in his direction. "You could join me."

"Not happening." He declines, but I can tell he's fighting not to let it roam over my body.

"Why not? Afraid you'll have fun?" I tease, blinking up at him with bedroom eyes.

He lets out a sharp breath, tension radiating off him like heat. But his eyes betray him and flick down my body, just for a second. My lavender bikini clings to me like a second skin, water droplets tracing curves he's been trying—and failing—not to notice for days. Luciano swallows hard and that little flinch of guilt makes my grin stretch wider.

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗟𝗬 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦 ✔️ (𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀)Where stories live. Discover now