Page 80 of Take Me Under

The shopkeeper, seemingly unaffected by the charged moment between us, spoke up. “Would the lady like to try it on?”

Anton met my gaze, the intensity there making my breath hitch. “Yes, she would.”

“Ah, you see? A man with means does not ask permission to cherish a woman. He simply does it.” The shopkeeper slid the necklace toward him. “Go on,signore. See how it looks on her.”

Anton didn’t hesitate. He lifted the delicate gold chain, stepping behind me and brushing my hair to the side. The deliberate way his fingers grazed my skin sent heat curling low in my stomach.

I exhaled as the clasp clicked into place, feeling the weight of both the necklace and Anton’s unwavering stare. I looked at our reflection in the mirror behind the glass display case. The ruby heart rested just below the hollow of my throat, its deep crimson catching the warm lighting in the store.

It wasn’t an extravagant piece, and it was significantly smaller than the heavy ruby I’d worn to the Met Gala. But none of that mattered when I caught the way Anton was looking at me—and not the necklace. The desire in his gaze made me feel like the rarest jewel in existence. I’d never had a man look at me the way he was at that moment. It was unnerving.

“Perfect,” the shopkeeper murmured with approval.

Anton’s fingertips traced the pendant.

“Yes,” he agreed, his voice a husky whisper. “It is.”

“I—” My voice caught. I had no idea what to say.

“Do you like it?” he asked, and I detected a challenge beneath the question.

I could have told him again that it was unnecessary—that Ihad no need for gifts. Or that the last thing I wanted was to be kept. But the truth was, I did like it. Maybe too much.

So instead, I nodded. “It’s beautiful.”

A satisfied hum rumbled in his chest. “Good.”

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry as Anton moved behind me, his fingers grazing the sensitive skin at the nape of my neck as he unfastened the delicate chain. A slow shiver worked its way down my spine.

After placing the necklace back on the tray, he stepped away and reached for his wallet.

“Anton,” I tried again, still uncomfortable with such an extravagant gift. But the words died in my throat as he handed his black card to the shop owner. He took it with a deferential nod, moving swiftly to process the payment.

“It’s done, Serena,” Anton said smoothly, slipping his wallet back into his jacket. “No point in arguing about it now.”

The transaction wrapped up quickly, and before I knew it, I had a gift bag in hand as Anton led me back onto the sunlit streets of Lucca. Zeke was waiting outside. He was trying—and failing—to be subtle.

I sighed, wondering if he would always be with us. “Does Zeke follow you everywhere?”

Anton’s lips twitched. “That’s kind of his job, princess.”

“I know, but…” I let out a frustrated breath. “I guess I’m just not used to having someone watch me all the time.”

“I trust Zeke with my life. You’ll get used to it.”

I wasn’t sure I wanted to, but I didn’t admit that part out loud. As Anton reached down to thread his fingers through mine, it seemed like the most natural thing in the world. Maybe—just maybe—there were some things I wouldn’t mind getting used to.

That thought scared me. This thing between us was dangerous. Immediate. Real.

And if I wasn’t careful, I could fall for him far too easily.

Don’t be foolish. This is a business arrangement. Nothing more.

“We’re getting gelato,” Anton announced after we passed a group of teenagers licking the frozen treat from tiny spoons.

I arched a brow. “Are we?”

His lips twitched. “Yes. You look like you need something sweet after all that unnecessary protesting.”

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