33. Claire

CHAPTER 33

CLAIRE

THE FOLLOWING MORNING – CASE DISMISSED

M y heels clicked against the pavement as I stepped into the afternoon sunlight, my heart feeling light for the first time in what felt like forever. Luca was free. My Luca. The charges had been dropped, the case against him shattered by the truth, and now we could finally breathe. I had spent so long bracing for impact, waiting for the next blow, that the relief hit me like a tidal wave.

Hand in hand, we slid into the back seat of the sleek black car, with Vlad already at the wheel. He offered a quick nod through the rearview mirror, a silent acknowledgment of the weight lifted off us all today. I settled in, Luca’s arm slung around my shoulders, feeling safe and content.

Luca was on the phone, dealing with a staffing issue at one of the restaurants he oversaw. I leaned back, relaxed, and let my mind drift to what was next—tonight. I had spent the entire morning battling my nerves as I faced my nemesis, Elizabeth Traynor, in court. But now, the rest of the day stretched ahead like a promise.

The city streets blurred as we drove, each familiar landmark passing by unnoticed. I was too lost in my own thoughts, anticipation buzzing in my veins. Tonight was ours. No more threats, no more shadowy fears lurking at the edges of our lives—just Luca and me, together, celebrating his freedom. A smile tugged at my lips as I thought about my secret surprise for him. The dinner I had planned—a quiet, intimate meal at the estate, in the summerhouse amid the vast gardens, hidden away from the outside world.

I had spent hours planning it all, ensuring every detail was just right. The caterers had been sworn to secrecy, the wines handpicked to match Luca’s favourites, and the summer house would be transformed into our little sanctuary, away from everything and everyone. I wanted it to be perfect because he deserved perfection. We had been through so much together recently, and he had been my rock—taking care of me, looking after my needs, spoiling me, and keeping me grounded. Now it was time for me to take care of him and spoil him in return.

My pulse quickened thinking about my outfit. A black silky dress that clung to every curve, elegant yet provocative. High slits that hinted rather than revealed, and delicate lace that played peekaboo in all the right places. I could already picture the way Luca’s gaze would darken when he saw me in it, the heat that would flare between us before the night had even truly begun. It was bold, daring—exactly the kind of statement I wanted to make.

Tonight was about showing Luca how much he meant to me. I needed him to know how glad I was that he’d persisted, not giving up on me. That after all the denials and rejections, all the hurt I must have caused him, and the changes that took place; I was finally, totally and completely all in. How could I not be? My Mr Sexy Kisser was the guy I never knew I dreamed of.

We’d fought so hard for this—battled through lies, threats, and the weight of his lifestyle pressing down on us. I wanted him to feel just how fiercely I was his, how much I loved him. Because I did. That thought settled around me as comfortably as his warm embrace. So much had changed in me. The phrase “rocked my world” didn’t quite capture what Luca had done; he’d stormed in like a tempest, dismantling my carefully constructed ice walls and replacing my fears with fierce devotion. He lit a fire within me, awakening a desire I hadn’t known existed, and taught me that love could be a beautiful chaos—both frightening and thrilling in equal measure.

As Vlad navigated the familiar turns leading us back to the estate, I caught a glimpse of myself in the car’s tinted window. I looked excited—alive. I couldn’t wait to get back, to throw off the weight of the day and lose myself in Luca’s arms.

Dinner first, followed by slow, sensual dancing. I envisioned teasing him with my body, his hands tracing every curve as if committing each line to memory. And then… the rest of the night stretching ahead, limitless and ours alone. I imagined how his hands would feel on my skin, the rough scrape of his stubble against my neck as he pulled me close.

I’d even had a makeshift bed set up for us, complete with new toys to explore: fluffy cuffs, a blindfold, and chocolate spread. I bit back a giggle at the thought of what I could do with that, and what I hoped Luca would do. I could almost feel those sexy lips, that amazing tongue enjoying my offerings. My body reacted with a shudder.

Luca glanced questioningly down at me, and I reached up to kiss his neck. His face broke into a wide grin, his eyes sparkling with understanding. He tried to act unaffected as I stroked the top of his thigh, but the bulge in his pants and the slight hitch in his breath—the only signs he was—betrayed him while he continued his conversation with the employment agency about hiring additional staff. I smirked, knowing I was playing with fire and desperately hoping for it to consume me. The Ice Queen had captured the Player, and the Player had melted her heart.

As the estate’s iron gates came into view—towering and formidable yet somehow welcoming now that the worst was behind us—my pulse quickened. Luca still had some work to do, and I’d promised to pick out baby items with Gracie, but tonight couldn’t come soon enough.

I was determined to remind Luca exactly why he had fought so hard—for this moment, for us. Because now, there was nothing standing in our way, and I was finally ready to confess my love.