I inhaled sharply, narrowing my eyes.
“I already told you I’m not jealous. Stop pushing this.”
He lifted a hand, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. The light touch sent a violent shiver through my skin.
“You can repeat it all you want. It won’t change what happened back there. I saw exactly how you looked at me.”
“And how exactly did I look at you?” I challenged, lifting my chin with courage I absolutely did not feel.
“Like you were ready to rip that woman’s eyes out,” he teased, leaning closer, his breath brushing my face. “Like I was yours. And only yours.”
My heart slammed against my ribs. Anger surged, mixing dangerously with the overwhelming attraction I was trying to suppress.
“You’re unbelievably arrogant,” I muttered, trying to move away. He didn’t allow it, bracing his hands on the counter, trapping me between his arms.
“Maybe I am,” he agreed calmly. “But only because you just gave me the certainty I needed.”
“What certainty?” I asked, my voice trembling despite my efforts.
“That you still feel something for me,” he said, moving closer until our bodies nearly touched. “And that makes me happy. Happier than you can imagine.”
My hands landed on his chest in a futile attempt to keep him away. The contact only made everything worse — the heat of his body beneath my palms driving me insane.
“I feel,” I whispered with effort, unable to meet his burning gaze, “hatred.”
Enrico smiled broadly.
“Hate me all you want. Curse me. Hit me.”
“You want me to hit you?”
“I want you to forgive me. And if hitting me is the first step, go ahead.”
“You’re insane!”
“Am I?” he challenged, his lips now dangerously close to mine. “Then tell me to stop, Valentina. Tell me right now… or I’m going to kiss you.”
I opened my mouth to speak — to demand he step back — but the words died on my lips.
I couldn’t say anything.
I just stood there, frozen, staring at him, trapped in that unbearable moment.
“That’s what I thought,” he murmured.
And before I could react, his lips crashed into mine in a fierce, urgent kiss.
The world stopped.
Every wall I had so carefully built collapsed in an instant, leaving only desire, resentment, and a desperate need for him.
My hands, which had been pushing him away, now clutched his shirt, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. Enrico’s hands locked around my waist, pressing me against him as our breaths tangled, frantic and desperate.
There was no reason left. No logic. No barrier.
The moment our mouths met, my entire body ignited.
The kiss was hot, hungry, devastating. His mouth molded to mine with near-desperate urgency, making me tremble from head to toe.
