There are tired lines on my brother’s face as he walks toward me, and it has me asking, “When did you last get a good night’s sleep?”
“I sleep just fine,” he answers.
I stick to his side as we head to the conference room. I’ve been at this hotel many times before, as it belongs to the Falcos.
The hall is decorated with beautiful blue hydrangeas and white lilies. I find my place beside Bianca and take a seat.
She nudges her shoulder against mine. “So now that Mom and Dad aren’t around, you can tell me what’s going on with you and Christiano? It’s clear as day the man still has the hots for you.”
I let out a sigh as I scowl at her. “Nothing is going on.” When her lips part, I snap, “I don’t want to talk about him.”
I train my gaze on the bridal table and avoid looking across the hall, where the Falcos’ table is.
Luckily, it doesn’t take long for the speeches to begin, but when Riccardo and Gianna take to the dance floor, my anxiety level spikes once again.
Shit.
Christiano gets up and crosses the hall.
Leaning into Bianca, I quickly whisper, “You dance with him. I have to go to the restroom.”
“Don’t you dare be disrespectful!” Augusto gives me a dark look, telling me not to test his patience today. “You will dance with Christiano.”
My heart sinks to my stomach, and I shoot him a scowl of my own.
Christiano walks straight to me, and grabbing my hand, he hauls me to my feet and practically drags me to the dance floor.
He stops abruptly, causing me to bump into his chest, then his arm locks around me like an unmovable force, keeping me squashed to him.
Taking hold of my hand, he begins to move, and my body has no choice but to submit to his as we dance.
My lips quickly grow dry from the breaths bursting over them, and I’m sure he’s aware of how fast my heart is beating.
For close to a minute, we dance in silence, but then he lowers his head and his breath skims over my temple. Tingles rush through me, and just as I’m about to close my eyes, he orders, “Look at me.”
When I don’t obey quickly enough, he growls, “Now, Sienna.”
My gaze snaps to his, and seeing the dominance and anger in his black-as-night eyes, I try to brace for the fight.
“It’s been seven years. I’m out of patience.”
Even though he scares me, I still say, “It doesn’t matter if it’s been seventy years. I’m not going to change my mind.”
God, if only I could, but my mind is not something I can control.
The instant the song ends, I try to pull free from his hold, but he doesn’t let go and instead tightens his arm around me even more.
Air bursts over my lips as our eyes lock. If it weren’t for the high heels I’m wearing, I’d be standing on my toes from his firm grip.
“You have to stop,” I say, my hand moving from his shoulder to his chest. I push against him, but it’s useless. The man is an unmovable mountain.
“Never.” The single word sounds like a threat.
I tear my gaze away from his and search for Mom, but when I spot her, she’s in a deep conversation with Gianna.
Shit.
I look for Dad, but he’s talking with my uncles.
