Chapter 23 –The Edge Of Wanting

• The gym was quiet, the hum of distant music the only background noise. Alina stood opposite Luciano, her hands loosely curled into fists, eyes daring. He smirked, a flicker of amusement lighting his usually intense gaze.
• “You really want to do this?” he asked, voice low.
• She shrugged, a playful grin tugging at her lips. “Only if you promise not to go easy.”
• He stepped forward, closing the distance in a heartbeat. “I don’t do easy.”
• They circled each other, muscles tensed like coiled springs. Alina’s heart pounded—not just from anticipation, but from something deeper, an unfamiliar excitement.
• Suddenly, Luciano lunged. She barely dodged, twisting on her heel. “Come on,” she challenged breathlessly.
• He chuckled darkly. “You’re faster than I thought.”
• Their movements quickened, hands reaching out, blocking, grappling. Luciano pinned her briefly against the padded wall. His breath was warm on her neck. She pushed, twisting free, then flipped him with a sharp move she didn’t know she had.
• They collapsed onto the mat, breathless and laughing—soft, genuine laughter that echoed between them, breaking through years of tension.
• Luciano’s grin softened. “This is the version of me no one gets. Only you.”
• She reached out hesitantly, her fingers brushing against his chest. She felt his heart racing—loud and fast—then pulled back, fear flickering in her eyes.
• The laughter faded, replaced by a fragile silence.
• Alina’s breath came in quick, shallow bursts as she lowered herself to the floor beside Luciano. Her fingers still tingled where they’d brushed his chest—the solid, steady beat beneath the fabric of his shirt was both shocking and comforting.
• Luciano’s eyes held hers, searching, vulnerable. “You scared?” His voice was low, almost hesitant, unlike the commanding tone she was used to.
• She hesitated, then nodded. “Maybe.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
• He reached out slowly, fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from her cheek. The touch was gentle, careful, and it made her skin flush. “You don’t have to be.”
• Alina looked down, her pulse hammering. “I’m not sure I know how,” she admitted.
• A faint smile flickered at the corner of his mouth. “We’ll learn together.” His words felt like a promise, soft but powerful.
• She glanced back up at him, and for the first time, she saw past the walls—the man behind the mask. There was a flicker of something raw, something human, and it unsettled her.
• “What if I break?” she asked, voice trembling.
• He shook his head, fingers gently curling under her chin to tilt her face toward his. “You won’t be breaking alone.”
• Their faces were inches apart, breaths mingling in the quiet air between them. The tension was electric, charged with something new—something neither wanted to name aloud.
• Suddenly, the spell broke as Luciano’s phone buzzed. He sighed and slid back, giving her space.
• Alina rose, heart pounding in her chest, a strange mixture of fear and hope swirling inside her.
• As she made her way to the door, Teresa appeared in the hallway, arms crossed, eyes sharp but unreadable.
• “You’re not just surviving anymore,” Teresa said quietly, voice almost a whisper. “That scares him.”
• Alina’s stomach fluttered. She paused, turning to meet Teresa’s knowing gaze. “What do you mean?”
• Teresa shrugged, a rare softness touching her features. “You’re breaking down his walls. And that’s the most dangerous thing for a man like Luciano.”
• Alina’s mind spun with the implications. Maybe she wasn’t just a prisoner anymore. Maybe she was something else entirely—something neither of them fully understood yet.