The night air around Lake Como hummed with a silence too perfect to be real. Everything was still, framed in moonlight and the hush of distant waves lapping against the villa’s private dock. The buzz of the retreat had wound down hours ago. Guests had disappeared into their suites, wine bottles emptied, conversations faded into sleepy murmurs behind closed doors.
But Luke and Cassie were still wide awake.
They hadn’t said much since the kiss on the balcony. There was too much electricity between them, too much unsaid, pulling tighter like a string waiting to snap. Luke had walked her to her suite, hand grazing hers, saying nothing as they paused at her door.
Cassie looked up at him.
He looked at her.
Neither moved.
Then, in a whisper, she said, “Come inside.”
Luke didn’t hesitate.
