The Temporary Wife: Luca and Valentina's Story(45)

I’m snapped out of my thoughts when the light on my desk phone starts to flash red, indicating a problem. I look into Luca’s office in confusion, but he’s immersed in his work, not a single hint of distress on his face.

Moments later, I hear the sound of heels clicking behind me. My stomach twists when I see Natalia walk toward Luca’s office, an excited grin on her face. Who let her up here?

“Excuse me, Ms. Ivanov,” I say through gritted teeth. “I can’t let you through.” Just seeing her fills me with a strange kind of jealousy. Technically, she’s still Luca’s fiancée, and I hate that I can’t just stop her the way I want to.

She chuckles and brushes past me as she storms into Luca’s office. I follow her in, uncertain how to handle her. “Darling!” she says. “Surprise!”

Unfamiliar anger grips me as I stand by the door, watching as she rushes up to him. Darling? Darling? Fury brews within me as Luca pushes off his chair, his brows raised. He looks past her, at me, a confused expression on his face. It’s clear he wasn’t expecting her, and that knowledge takes the edge off my anger, but it doesn’t appease it.

Natalia wraps her arms around his neck, and Luca takes a step back, putting some distance between them immediately. He shoots me a panicked look, but I merely lean back against the wall and cross my arms.

“I saw that you went to Laurier,” she says excitedly, referencing a famous reclusive jeweler. “So you got me an engagement ring, huh? I don’t want a grand proposal! We’re already engaged, darling. Just give me the ring.”

He runs a hand through his hair and sighs. “Where did you see that?”

She grins, and for a moment I feel helpless. She looks so beautiful when she smiles like that. I’ve never been one to compare myself to other women, but she makes me feel inferior. “The Herald reported that you were seen going into Laurier.”

Luca grabs his phone and groans. “Fuck.” He looks up at me, and the remorse in his eyes makes my stomach drop. I’m not sure what’s been reported, but it can’t be good.

“Natalia,” he says, his tone far too patient for my liking. “It looks like there’s been a misunderstanding of some sort. I’ll explain everything to you soon. For the time being, I need to ask you to leave.”

She pouts, and it irritates me how pretty she looks. I have no doubt she’s used to charming men, and Luca is probably no different. I was the convenient choice, but she’s the one he’d rather have in his bed. The thought of them together makes me feel sick, and I involuntarily ball my fists.

“But I came all the way here to see you. Besides, my dad wanted me to speak to you about the merger.”

“I’m working. Now isn’t a good time. I’ll have my driver send you back, and I’ll give your father a call later.” He sounds concerned, and I look away, a hint of guilt gnawing at me. I know he doesn’t have any feelings for her, and offending the Ivanovs any further won’t do him any favors, but I’m still irrationally angry.

Natalia’s eyes flash as she turns around and walks back out of his office, her gaze focusing on me for a moment before she slams the door closed behind her. There’s no way he can call the engagement off without informing his grandmother first, but I wish he could. I wish he’d just told her that they’re through.

I watch Luca and clench my jaw. “Would you like me to make a dinner reservation for you two, darling? Or shall I send her another hundred roses?”

Luca bites back a smile, his gaze suddenly far warmer than it was before. “Come here, Valentina.”

I push off the wall and walk toward him, my anger boiling over. He chuckles when I reach him and grabs my waist, lifting me onto his desk with ease. He looks into my eyes as he spreads my legs, making my skirt ride up.

“Luca!”

He smiles at me as he sits back down and pulls his desk chair closer, until he’s got my legs on either side of him. “So this is what it takes for you to finally start acting like my wife, huh? Don’t be mad, baby,” he murmurs, his hands wrapping around my hips.

Heat rushes to my cheeks and I glance behind us, at the glass wall that overlooks my desk. This floor is quiet, but all it would take for us to get caught is for someone to walk this way.

“I didn’t know she’d show up here. Just a few more days until we’re telling Grandma about us. Can you hold on for me until then?”

I look back at him, my heart racing. “Why would I be mad?” I ask him, sounding awfully mad for a woman pretending not to be.

He laughs and leans back to watch me, his hands sliding down to my thighs. My black lace panties are exposed, and the way his gaze darkens when his eyes settle on them makes me squirm involuntarily. After the way he tore my tights the other day, I’ve taken to wearing thigh-high stockings, and the look in his eyes tells me that he’s a big fan of them.

“Aren’t you going to ask me about the rumors?”

“What rumors?” I ask, nervous.

“The ones about me visiting Laurier.”

I look away, my heart clenching painfully. I don’t want to think about him picking a ring for Natalia. If The Herald is reporting on it now, he must have been photographed fairly recently. It won’t have been for me, since we got married so abruptly. Besides, he’d never get me a ring from Laurier. The Windsors shop there exclusively for heirloom pieces. He wouldn’t buy me a Laurier ring knowing that we won’t last a lifetime.