Riley POV
“I never wanted Bianca.”
Luca’s fingers remained wrapped around my hand.
His grip was gentle, but the words held me more firmly than his touch.
“I wanted you.”
For several seconds, I could not speak.
I had imagined hearing those words too many times. In the kitchen after our first kiss. On the balcony in Monaco. During the argument when he asked me not to accept the job. Every time he had watched me like I was the only person in the room and then stepped back as though wanting me was something he needed to survive rather than admit.
Now he had finally said it.
The night before I left.
My chest tightened until breathing hurt.
“You wanted me,” I repeated.
“Yes.”
His answer came without hesitation.
I looked at our joined hands.
“Wanting me is not the same as choosing m
