Page 52 of Take Me Under

I recalled my father’s words when I was barely sixteen years old. He had chartered a helicopter to get a bird’s-eye view of the landscape of the Forum and had taken me along with him.

“Do you see the area where the vegetation is thinner, Serena? The plants grow thick above buried wooden structures and more thinly above the stone ones. There’s something there—I can feel it in my bones. I don’t care what they say. My maps arecorrect. If someone as famous as Julius Caesar could be cremated and buried here, is it so outlandish to think the infamous Cleopatra and her lover would not be nearby as well?”

It had been fourteen years since we’d taken that flight, but I could still hear the words as if he’d said them only yesterday.

“I spent many years alongside my father studying that location,” I continued. “He believed Cleopatra and Mark Antony were there with every fiber of his being.”

“And do you think they are?”

I frowned and then sighed. “I don’t know. We’ve narrowed down the terrain and have made a lot of progress. There’s not much left to search. My team and I just need more time. But time is money.”

“Money you don’t have.” Anton’s eyes never left mine as he continued, his voice dropping to a low, seductive timbre. “Alright. We’ll forget the Brutus Denarius. If you say you don’t have the coin, so be it. We’ll just go back to the original plan.”

Just as I was about to open my mouth to respond, the conversation was interrupted once again by Matteo’s arrival. He was carrying a tray thick with the rich aroma of garlic and parmesan. The combined scents wafted through the air. I inhaled deeply, allowing their familiarity to calm my racing heart.

“Signore, signora!I present to you tonight’s specialties,” he announced with a flourish, setting down plates of steaming risotto and perfectly grilled sea bass. “Risotto alla Milaneseandbranzino alla griglia. Buon appetito!”

After Matteo retreated, Anton raised his wine glass.

“To new partnerships,” he toasted.

“But I haven’t agreed to anything.”

“You will,” he said confidently, his dark eyes searing into me.

My core tightened until an ache began to form low in my belly. The conversation had changed. It had gone from academicto sexual in the blink of an eye. There was a challenge in his expression, as if he dared me to deny his proposition.

“Your arrogance never ceases to amaze me. But I’ll admit, your proposal is intriguing,” I acknowledged, choosing my words carefully. “I’m just not sure I’m comfortable with what it may entail.”

Anton’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Comfort zones are meant to be pushed, princess. Perhaps my toast should have been made to testing boundaries.”

I hesitated before raising my own glass, suddenly uneasy about the boundaries he wanted to test.

“To… mutual understanding,” I finally said.

We began to eat, the silence disrupted only by the soft clink of cutlery against the plates. I savored the rich flavors, trying to focus on the meal rather than the conversation Anton was sure to continue. However, the effort was in vain. I couldn’t stop my mind from racing.

If I agreed to Anton’s proposal, it could save the excavation, allowing me to continue the pursuit of my father’s dream.

But at what cost? My integrity? My very sense of self?

Or maybe I should just give up one of the Brutus Denarius coins.

As soon as the thought popped into my mind, I dismissed it. I was a sucker for things with sentimental value, and the ancient coin held too much to give up.

“I can practically see the wheels in your head turning,” Anton said after a few bites, his tone deceptively casual.

I stabbed at the risotto, buying time.

“I think I understand your offer,” I said finally, meeting his gaze. “But I need more details so that I can consider all the ramifications.”

Anton’s eyes gleamed with a predatory intensity as he leaned closer.

“Let me be explicit, Serena. I will fully fund your excavationin Rome for the next year. In exchange, I want thirty days of unrestricted access to your body. When I want you to kneel, you’ll kneel. When I want you spread out before me, you’ll obey without question. And when I’m not inside you, I want access to your mind—days full of intelligent conversation. I want to learn how you think. You won’t deny me any part of yourself. Is that detailed enough for you?”

My breath caught as my fork clattered against the plate. I blinked—once, twice—my mind reeling from a tumultuous mix of shock, outrage, and unabashed desire.

“I...that’s...” I stammered, struggling to form a coherent thought.

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