The lobby of Rhezan Global smelled like money and power.
Tani told herself she wasn't nervous, that this was just another order. After all she had been here before and was no stranger . Deliver, smile, leave.
But her heart wouldn't listen, not even to Rhea's very persuasive attempt at stopping her.
Neither was the memory of that kiss they'd shared helped matters. She could still feel his mouth on hers and could still taste rain in the back of her throat.
She'd barely slept, barely eaten. Now she was walking into his world, his empire , wild awake not as an equal like in the dreams but with nothing but a pastry box and a prayer that he wouldn't be there.
He was.
The doors opened to a boardroom of polished glass and quiet tension.
Luca stood at the head of the table, dark suit, colder eyes. His presence filled the space and was quite impossible to miss.
Elara was beside him, perfect as ever, eyes sharp. Amira hovered with a clipboard. None of them mattered when he turned and saw her.
For a heartbeat, no one breathed.
" Hello Tani," he said, like they were old acquaintances.
Her voice came out too soft. "Mr. Rhezan."
She looked down, pretending to check the delivery slip, but her hand trembled. He noticed. Of course he noticed.
Elara cleared her throat. "Is this really the time? You could have had them dropped with Amira, no need to interrupt the meeting. "
He didn't answer. He crossed the room, each step deliberate. "You made all these yourself?"
"Yes." She said quietly.
He stopped an itch away from her, the space between them felt charged as his gaze swept over her face like he was looking for proof.
"You always bake like this?"
"Only when I'm paid to," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
The corner of his mouth twitched. "Yeah, it sounds like a perfect business catch phrase."
She smiled.
Elara apparently, getting irritated by their awkward exchanges and charged silence quickly cut in. "Luca, we need to…"
He turned his head slightly. "It can wait."
She blinked. "What?"
"I said it can wait or maybe we're done." His tone left no room for argument.
The others present in the meeting shifted uncomfortably. Amira pretended to stare at her shoes, sparing Elara the humiliating moment.
Elara tightened her jaw, but he didn't care. He reached out suddenly, fingers brushing Tani's wrist. The contact shocked and surprised her, the warmth and familiarity that made her dizzy.
"Excuse me," she whispered, but he didn't move.
"Come with me."
He didn't wait for permission. He led her out of the boardroom under their silent watchhful eyes.
Elara's voice followed, cold and clipped. "Really?
He didn't even cast a second glance as he left.Tani trailed behind without questions, until they reached his office.
When they got there he closed the door firmly behind them, then slumped into it for a second, breathing out like someone who hadn't taken a real breath in forever, as the atmosphere hung thick with words unspoken.
She stayed near the window, wondering why he'd brought her here , none of what was happening felt rational. He did not break his eye contact as he walked towards her slowly, like he was afraid she might disappear any moment like his dreams.
"What am about to ask you, might seem weird," he said, voice low, rough and his face inches away from hers. "But I have to, even though you might think I'm insane.That's a risk I'm willing to take at this point."
She was getting confused and frankly a bit scared but she waited.
He took one slow step towards her, then another. His eyes, dark, unreadable and piercing was fixed on her.
"Tell me, do you… dream of me?" He said plain and simple.
The words hung in the air like a confession, admitted out aloud , raw and unfiltered demanding a response.
Her eyes jumped wide then snapped back, she opened her mouth, yet nothing slipped through.
She wasn't sure she could bring herself to talk without her emotions overwhelming her.Then without warning, her eyes welled up as a small, shaky smile of relief, managed to make it's way out.
He watched her and suddenly the realization hit him quietly at first then grew heavier, as a slow chill moved up his spine and he froze.
She didn't need to tell him, he knew she dreamt about him too.