Off-Limits

Everyone knows two rules in Amara Reyes' family:

Rule #1: Trust your family.
Rule #2: Never get close to Luca Romano.

Luca isn't just her older brother Adrian's best friend.
He isn't just the boy who practically grew up in her house.
He isn't just the man who used to drive her crazy with his teasing smile.

And then he vanished seven years ago.

No explanations.
No goodbyes.
Just gone.

For years, Luca kept his distance-because Adrian made him promise.
Because Amara was off-limits.
Because the life he lived was too dark for someone like her.

She was never meant to fall for him.
He was never meant to want her.

But distance can't kill chemistry.
Or attraction.
Or fate.

And fate?
Fate has a dangerous sense of humor.

The knock came just as I stepped out of the shower, steam still clinging to my skin.

"Adrian?" I called, tightening my towel. "Give me a second!"

I swung the door open-

And froze.

It wasn't my brother.

It was Luca Romano, older now, broader, shadows clinging to him like a second skin.

His eyes swept over me-slow, startled, then quickly dragged back to my face.
But not before I saw the flicker of heat there.

"Wow," he murmured, voice low and unsteady in a way I had never heard from him. "You... definitely grew up."

My breath hitched. I grabbed the towel tighter. "You're not supposed to be here."

He leaned against the doorframe, smirk tugging at his lips.

I tried to slam the door, but Luca stopped it with one hand.

"Relax, princess. I'm not here to cause trouble."

"You already did," I muttered, face burning.

He leaned on the doorframe, green eyes never leaving mine-something hungry flashing before he forced it down.

"Trust me," he said quietly, "the trouble only starts if you want it to."

My breath hitched.

He stepped back, just enough to finally let me breathe again.

"Go get dressed," he murmured. "Your brother would kill me for seeing you like this."

He paused.

"And that's the only reason I'm walking away."