Page 62 of Broken Prince

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. “No, it’s not; I’m not that clueless.”

“Ah!” He winked at me. “It was worth the try.”

I shook my head. “See you on Saturday.”

“Have fun and for what it’s worth, I think Luca likeslikesyou too… Maybe you should pass him a note in class and ask him if he does,” Dom added as I reached the door.

I couldn't help the hundreds of butterflies flying around in my stomach at the thought but turned around to glare at Dom. “Luca’s right, you really are an asshole.”

I left the room followed by Dom’s raucous laugh and yet despite how worried I was about him, I couldn't stop the jittering feeling about Luca liking me and spending the evening with him at the ball, dancing with him…

Yep, tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.

Chapter Sixteen

CASSIE

We had to leave at six and the more time passed, the more nervous I got. I’d prepared my overnight bag early in the morning and I watched about three hours of YouTube tutorials on doing my makeup and hair, but when I looked at myself in the mirror now, I was happy to say it had not been for nothing.

I gave myself a sophisticated look. I made my eyes smoky, making them even greener, and added a bright-red lipstick, putting the accent on my pouty mouth and creating a contrast on my porcelain skin.

I pulled my hair up into an asymmetrical French twist, letting just a few strands of soft curls out to soften the whole look.

I smiled at my reflection, bringing my hand up and brushing the necklace Luca had given me for my birthday.

I was beautiful today. I looked like a confident woman—someone almost beautiful enough to have attracted Gianluca Montanari’s attention even before his life went to hell… Even before he considered himself broken.

A knock at my door brought me back to reality.

“Coming.” I took a deep breath, grabbed my overnight bag, and opened the door.

I couldn’t contain the gasp that escaped me at the version of Luca standing in front of me. I’d seen photos of him before the accident, but they didn’t render him justice.

He had cut his long black mane, not in a too short, conservative way but just long enough to curl on the collar of his tuxedo shirt. He’d also shaved his beard, making his scars more striking but also revealing his sharp jawline and strong chin.

He was a force to be reckoned with and when he looked at me like that, as if he wanted to eat me alive…I didn’t stand a chance.

“You’re stunning,” I whispered in a daze, taking in his powerful presence in his perfectly tailored tuxedo.

His mouth curled up in a soft smile. “You stole my line.”

I flushed brightly, not realizing I had said these words out loud.

“Cassie,sei più bella di mille stelle.”

I didn’t even know what he’d said and yet, it was doing things to my lady parts—that also was a new feeling but quite recurring around him.

I cocked my head to the side as he extended his hand to grab my bag.

“You are more beautiful than a thousand stars,” he translated.

“Oh, thank you.” I blushed again, looking down at my feet. “It’s the dress.”

He shook his head, extending his elbow like a gentleman for me to take. “No, the dress doesn't matter; any dress would look beautiful on you. You shine like the brightest of all stars.”

I smiled back, not really knowing what to say anymore. I took his arm and went down the stairs silently, enjoying his strong presence and his woodsy scent.

We stepped into the most luxurious limousine I had ever seen, not even in movies.

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