Mistakenly Yours: Contract Marriage With The Billionaire-Chapter 138: Where he wanted her

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the gauzy curtains of their hotel room, painting soft golden stripes across the bed.

Sara stirred slowly, she realized her body was curled instinctively against Luca’s, one arm draped possessively over his waist, her cheek pressed to the warm skin of his chest. A faint flush crept up her neck at the intimacy of it.

With careful, deliberate movements, she eased her arm away and slipped out from under the duvet.

She padded toward the open balcony doors, drawn by the gentle morning breeze. Stepping outside, Sara drew in a quiet breath as the eternal city unfolded before her. The breathtaking view of the city made her heart race.

For a long moment she simply stood there, leaning against the railing, letting the beauty sink in.

"Since we’re already here," she murmured to herself, a small smile tugging at her lips, "I’ll convince Luca to explore a little before our flight back to Madrid this evening."

Her stomach chose that moment to protest its neglect with a low growl. She pressed a palm to it, remembering how little she’d eaten yesterday before landing here, then chose to sleep.

Turning back into the room, Sara moved quietly to the suitcase still open on the luggage rack. She selected a light, sleeveless one-piece dress in pale blue cotton that would reach her mid-thigh. She gathered fresh lingerie as well, then slipped into the spacious bathroom, closing the door softly behind her.

Twenty minutes later, she emerged refreshed, skin still dewy from the shower, hair damp and loosely combed. The dress hugged her figure gently. Droplets traced lazy paths down her collarbone as she walked barefoot back into the bedroom.

Meanwhile, Luca remained asleep, sprawled on his stomach now, one arm flung across the place Sara had vacated. His fingers moved lazily in his sleep, brushing over the empty mattress as if searching for her warmth. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, heavy with the remnants of deep rest, and the first thing they focused on was her.

Sara stood near the foot of the bed, gently toweling the ends of her damp hair, the soft morning light catching the subtle sheen on her skin.

The pale blue dress hugged her curves just right, with a fitted bodice that accentuated her waist and a skirt that ended teasingly mid-thigh. She looked fresh, radiant, effortlessly beautiful.

"Did I wake you?" she asked softly, lowering the towel as she noticed him stirring. A small, sheepish smile played on her lips.

Luca pushed himself up onto his elbows, his dark hair tousled from sleep. He shook his head, a slow, appreciative smile spreading across his face as his gaze traveled over her.

"No," he murmured. "You look beautiful."

A faint flush rose to her cheeks. "Thank you."

She crossed the short distance to the bed and sat on the edge beside him, close enough that the faint scent of her shower gel, something light and citrusy, drifted toward him. Reaching out, she rested her hand gently over his, her fingers tracing idle circles on his skin.

"How did your meeting go with Lucius last night?" she asked, tilting her head. "I don’t even remember you coming back. I was completely out."

Luca turned his hand palm-up beneath hers, lacing their fingers together.

"It went... better than I expected," he said, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "I found out about Martin."

"That was fast," Sara murmured, her brow creasing with a faint line of worry as she searched his face. "So... will you see Martin now?"

She bit her lower lip, a habit that surfaced whenever unease crept in. Part of her mind was already turning over the idea of involving the police, something this serious surely warranted it. And, selfishly, she had been looking forward to stealing a few hours wandering Rome with him.

Luca shook his head firmly, pushing himself up to sit against the headboard. The duvet pooled at his waist.

"Not now," he said. "We’re going out. Let’s explore the city a little before we fly back in the evening."

Sara’s eyes widened, surprise quickly melting into delight. "Really?"

"Yeah." A slow, warm smile curved his mouth as he reached out to tuck a damp strand of hair behind her ear. "Trust me, if it weren’t for your father expecting you this evening, I’d keep you here much longer."

"Maybe we can come back another time," she said softly, leaning into his touch. "A proper few days, just to relax."

"I’d like that." His thumb brushed lightly over her cheek before he pulled back. "Very much."

Sara’s stomach gave another insistent rumble, louder this time, and she laughed, pressing a hand to it. "Speaking of which... I’m starving. Hurry and freshen up. We can head out for breakfast."

Luca chuckled. "Don’t starve yourself on my account. It might take me a few minutes. Better to have something here." He leaned across her to reach the phone on the bedside table, the warmth of his body brushing against hers for a second. "What would you like?"

"Cornetto and cappuccino," she answered without hesitation.

He relayed the order smoothly, two cornetti, two cappuccini, fresh orange juice on the side, then hung up and tossed the duvet aside. His feet touched the floor as he stood.

"I’ll be quick," he promised, flashing her a grin before disappearing into the bathroom.

Sara watched the door close behind him, a quiet happiness settling over her. She rose from the bed, slipping on a pair of simple sandals from her suitcase and moving toward the balcony again.

She heard the bell as the room service had arrived. She let them in, signing the chit with a smile as the waiter arranged the breakfast on the small table by the window.

By the time Luca emerged. His hair was damp, and he was dressed in a white shirt with sleeves rolled to his elbows and dark trousers that fit him far too well.

The waiter left the room while Sara closed the door.

"You arrived at a perfect time," Sara said, already seated and tearing off a flaky corner of cornetto. She lifted her cappuccino in a small toast before inhaling its fragrance, and then took a small sip.

Luca grabbed his phone from the nightstand. He dropped into the seat across from her.

"You look different today," Sara said suddenly, tilting her head as she studied him over the rim of her cappuccino.

Luca paused mid-sip, one brow arching in amusement. "Huh? Different how?"

She shrugged lightly, a playful smile curving her lips. "Well... you look handsome."

A slow, sly grin spread across his face as he set his cup down. He leaned forward slightly, elbows on the table, gaze locking with hers. "Just handsome?"

Sara felt warmth rise in her cheeks, but she didn’t look away. She took another slow sip of her cappuccino, letting the froth linger on her upper lip for a moment before licking it away.

"Hot, too," she admitted.

Luca’s grin deepened, something darker and warmer flickering in his eyes. He reached across the table, brushing his thumb lightly over the back of her hand. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Sara," Luca said, his voice low and teasing as he set his cup down, "what’s going on with you today? You sound far too romantic."

She glanced up at him through her lashes, a playful pout forming. "Why? Am I not allowed to be romantic?"

Her focus returned to the last few bites of her cornetto. Luca didn’t even pretend to look away; he leaned back slightly in his chair, cradling his cappuccino, watching her with quiet amusement.

When the final crumb disappeared, Sara brushed her fingers together and smiled brightly. "That was a lovely breakfast. I feel properly full now."

She reached for a tissue, dabbing delicately at her lips, the small gesture somehow drawing Luca’s gaze even more intently.

Then, she stood and moved closer to the railing. She felt Luca right behind her. His hands came down on either side of hers, caging her gently between his body and the railing without touching her yet.

Sara’s breath caught; she lowered her gaze to his forearms, then to his hands so close to hers.

A moment later, his lips brushed the sensitive curve where her neck met her shoulder. A soft gasp escaped her before she could stop it. Instinctively, she tilted her head, offering more, and Luca took the invitation. His mouth trailed slow kisses upward until their lips met.

The kiss began tender. But the moment she parted her lips on a quiet sigh, something shifted. Luca deepened the kiss, one hand leaving the railing to slide to her waist, pulling her back flush against him. The other hand rose to cup her jaw, angling her exactly where he wanted her.

Gentleness gave way to heat. Their hot tongues met, and tangled with each other. Sara’s fingers curled tightly around the railing as the city blurred below them; all that existed was the firm press of his chest against her back, the possessive grip on her hip, the low sound he made when she kissed him back just as fiercely.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing harder, Luca rested his forehead against her temple. "I love you, Sara." The smile reached his eyes.