My Beautiful Seductress

Dangerous Attraction

Vivienne didn't wait to see what Luca would do next.

The moment their eyes locked, she turned and walked away as quickly as possible without breaking into a run. Her pulse hammered against her ribs.Keep walking,don't look back.Don't panic. The corridor suddenly felt far too long.Every click of her heels echoed through the silence. By the time she reached the ballroom, her palms were damp with sweat.

Had he followed her?

Had he recognized her?

Had she just witnessed something that could get her killed?

The questions raced through her mind.She grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and took a large sip, It did nothing to calm her nerves.

"Vivienne."

She nearly jumped.Her friend Amelia appeared beside her.

"There you are," Amelia said. "I've been looking everywhere. Are you okay? You look pale.

"I'm fine."Amelia raised an eyebrow.

"You are a terrible liar."Vivienne forced a smile.

"Just tired."

Before Amelia could ask another question, a sudden shift in the room caught everyone's attention.The conversations quieted.People stepped aside. A path opened through the crowd. Vivienne knew exactly who had entered before she even turned around.

Luca Marino.

The man moved through the ballroom with effortless authority.Several influential guests greeted him immediately. He acknowledged them politely but briefly.As though their attention bored him.Vivienne lowered her gaze,maybe he hadn't recognized her.Maybe he had bigger concerns.

Maybe—

A chill crawled down her spine,someone was watching her. Slowly, she looked up,Luca stood across the room.His dark eyes were fixed directly on her,there was no mistaking it this time.He knew exactly who she was or at least, he knew she was the woman from the corridor.Her stomach tightened. For several seconds, neither of them looked away.Then Luca turned and resumed his conversation. Vivienne finally remembered how to breathe.

---

Later that night, Luca sat in the back seat of his armored vehicle. The city lights blurred past the windows. Across from him sat his trusted security chief, Marco.

"The woman?" Marco asked.

Luca's expression remained unreadable.

"Find out who she is."Marco nodded.

"Name?"

"Vivienne Knight."

Marco immediately began typing on his tablet. Within seconds, information appeared on the screen. "Twenty-six years old. Works as a freelance event consultant. No criminal record."

Luca leaned back.

"That's too clean."

Marco looked up.

"You think she's lying?"

"I think people rarely appear exactly as they claim to be."

Especially people who accidentally witnessed private meetings. Luca stared out the window.

For some reason, he couldn't stop thinking about her. Most people avoided his gaze.Most people feared him.Vivienne Knight had looked terrified ,yet she hadn't run.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

---

The next morning, Vivienne sat in her favorite coffee shop trying desperately to forget about the previous night. Unfortunately, forgetting Luca Marino was proving impossible. She checked her phone,nothing unusual,no threats,no mysterious messages,no signs that she had been followed.

Maybe she was overthinking. The bell above the café door chimed.Vivienne glanced up and nearly dropped her coffee. Luca Marino had just walked inside.

Impossible.

Of all the coffee shops in the city—

Her thoughts stopped when his gaze found hers. Immediately,deliberately.

As though he had entered looking for her.

The realization sent a wave of panic through her.Luca crossed the room. Every step seemed calm and controlled. People glanced at him. Some recognized him,others simply sensed the authority he carried. He stopped beside her table.

"Miss Knight."

His deep voice sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.

Vivienne forced herself to remain calm.

"Mr. Marino."

Neither of them sat.

Neither looked away.

"You left rather quickly last night," Luca said.

Vivienne took a sip of coffee.

"Large parties aren't really my thing."

A corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

Not quite a smile. More dangerous than a smile.

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

His eyes studied her.

Carefully.

Patiently.

Like a predator deciding whether its prey would run.

"You seem nervous."

Vivienne almost laughed.

"Most people would be nervous if Luca Marino suddenly appeared at their table."

For the first time, genuine amusement flickered in his eyes.

Interesting.

She wasn't fawning over him.

She wasn't flirting.

She wasn't pretending to be impressed.

Most people did at least one of those things.

"May I sit?" he asked. Vivienne hesitated.

Everything inside her screamed no. Yet saying no somehow seemed impossible.

"Be my guest."

Luca sat opposite her.

The air between them felt charged. Dangerously charged.

"You witnessed something last night."

There it was ,

Direct

No games.

No pretending.

Vivienne's heart skipped a beat.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Luca held her gaze.

Silence stretched between them.

Long enough to become uncomfortable.

Long enough for her pulse to quicken.

Then unexpectedly, he changed the subject.

"What do you know about me?"

The question caught her off guard.

"Enough."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"And what exactly is enough?"

Vivienne considered her answer carefully.

"That you're powerful."

"Anything else?"She hesitated.

"Dangerous."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Luca smiled.

A real smile this time.

Cold,sharp ,almost approving.

"Good."

Vivienne's breath caught. Most men would have denied it. Most men would have tried to appear harmless. Luca seemed almost pleased by the description.

Which somehow made him even more dangerous.

He stood.

"I'll see you again, Miss Knight."

Her eyebrows rose.

"That sounds less like a prediction and more like a decision."

A flash of amusement crossed his face.

"It is."

Then he walked away. Leaving Vivienne staring after him.

Confused.

Annoyed.

Curious.

And far more affected by the encounter than she wanted to admit.

Across town, Marco's investigation continued. Minutes later, he entered Luca's office carrying a file.

"I found something."

Luca looked up.

"What is it?"

Marco placed the file on the desk.

"Vivienne Knight isn't who she claims to be."

Luca's expression darkened.

"Explain."

Marco opened the folder.

"The information she gave publicly is real."He paused.

"But it's not the whole truth."

Luca slowly leaned forward. For the first time all day, he was completely interested.

"What are you hiding, Miss Knight?"

To be continued...