Page 168 of Heartless Mafia Prince

The picnic was probably our best date. The basket was filled with wine, beer, finger sandwiches and three different desserts. I took the opportunity to ask Luciano a few questions. “Did you like high school?”

Legs crossed at the ankles; he relaxed his forearm on the cream blanket. Luciano wore jeans, a white polo shirt, and Cole Haan black loafers.

“I liked sports and math so, yeah high school was all right.” He sipped his beer.

Lying on my back in a yellow dress opposite of him, I glanced at Luciano under the bright sky.

“I was the captain of the football team. If I wanted to play college ball I could’ve, but I wasn’t going to college. So it didn’t matter.

“Did you want to attend college?”

“Yup, I wanted to study finance and become a stockbroker.”

His life was chosen for him.

“That’s unfortunate you couldn’t follow your dreams.”

“It’s not all bad. I’ll run my family’s business. Besides, I’m excellent at hostile takeovers. I’ve overseen many. Persuasion is my forte.”

Two of his four bodyguards chuckled.

He probably shoved some poor asshole off a building.

“What does the great Luciano Conti do for fun?”

“I play cards with the guys. More so for the conversation. Over the summer, I played football on Saturday afternoons with my friends. That was cool. And I like to travel. Soon you and I will see the world together.”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t think so.”

Luciano ignored me. “How about Italy? They have the best cuisine.”

My eyes lit up, then my lips tightened. “No, Luciano.”

He pointed at the picnic basket. “Try the finger sandwiches. They’re delicious.” The slick asshole changed the subject.

“I will in a moment. This is a beautiful fall day. The sun feels good on my skin.” I smiled as my eyelids lowered.

Next thing I knew, his fingers brushed against mine.

“Lift your head.”

I glanced at him. He was lying beside me. Luciano pulled me into his arms.

I was on my best behavior since his bodyguards hovered, patrolling the area. After a while I tuned them out. My hand ran wild over his chest as I inhaled Luciano’s aftershave and cologne. It was the perfect date.

***P***

In the back of my head, I knew agreeing to go to his condo could lead to sex. I was ready.

What I wasn’t ready for was our talk. Luciano told me he fell in love with me. There was an eye roll that took place inside my mind.

“Spending time with you is refreshing. Takes my mind off of my responsibilities.”

“What responsibilities?” I asked.

“To my family. I’m taking my dad’s place in a few months. He and another mutual acquaintance agreed that I’d run both family empires after...”

My brows rustled together. “After what?”

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