**The night with you**

Valentina barely stirred when the car rolled to a stop in front of the villa. Her head remained against Lucas' shoulder, her breathing soft and even, lost in a dreamless sleep. The ride had been quiet, peaceful. She hadn’t even noticed when the gates opened or when the headlights swept over the stone path.

Lucas glanced down at her, his arm still wrapped loosely around her. For a moment, he simply looked at her—not with the edge that usually colored his gaze, not ...