She might not like the idea of spending the rest of her life with me, but she likes this.
She enjoys the heat between us.
"I don't get paid enough for this," Enzo mutters, reminding me of his presence.
Grace snatches her hand away, looking mortified.
I stand and turn toward Enzo. "I need to check on the product. Please watch over her."
He nods. I look at Grace for another moment before heading to the back of the bakery. Like most of our businesses, this bakery is a front. We have a shipment going to Southeast Asia tonight, and we’re storing the product here. I make sure everything is in order before returning to Enzo and Grace.
I find them deep in conversation about something. She's smiling at him.
Something territorial awakens inside me. I don't like her smiling at another man.
I clear my throat. "Let's go."
Enzo gives me a curious look. "Is everything fine in the back?"
"Yes," I say, avoiding his gaze.
Grace stands and glances between the two of us.
"Enjoy the night," Enzo says.
“It was nice seeing you again, Enzo," she says, giving him that unguarded smile again.
I've never been on the receiving end of that smile. All I seem to get are her withering eyes and disappointed frowns. I know it's unreasonable for me to be feeling this way, but it feels like something out of my control.
I'm not my usual self when I'm around this girl. I don't think things through.
It's dangerous.
It's only a matter of time before she finds out who I really am.
"What is this place?"she asks, getting off the scooter.
"It's your first day in Praiano," I say. "I had to take you to the beach."
"This is the beach?" she asks, glancing at the cave before us.
"A hidden one," I say. "It's a place only the locals know about."
“Be honest,” she says. “Is this where you're going to finally murder me?"
"Stop saying that," I say. "I already promised you I wouldn't."
“That’s exactly what someone who’s planning on murdering me would say,” she points out.
"You'll like it. Come on." I take her hand in mine.
Something flutters in her eyes for a moment. The whole world holds its breath. And then she averts her gaze.
I want her, all of her.
All of her sweetness, all of her submission.
My thumb brushes over the inside of her wrist. I can feel her pulse racing.
