For a second she just looks at me.
Then she shakes her head slightly, like she doesn’t believe a word of it.
And something in me gives.
I reach for her before I can stop myself.
My hand finds her jaw, tilting her face up.
Then I kiss her.
Hard.
All the things I’ve been holding back crash through the second my mouth touches hers.
She gasps against me, fingers clutching at my coat, and for one dangerous moment I almost forget the entire world around us.
She tastes exactly the same as she did seven years ago.
Exactly the same as she did last night.
I pull away abruptly before the moment goes too far.
Her lips are parted. Her breathing uneven. God, she’s so fucking beautiful like this.
But I force myself to step back.
“Leone will take you home,” I say.
Her confusion returns instantly.
“What?”
“I’m calling him now.”
“You’re not serious.”
“I am.”
She shakes her head, frustrated again.
“And what about you?”
“I’ll take a cab.”
“Nico—”
But I’m already stepping away.
If I stay another second, I won’t leave at all.
And that is exactly what my enemies are hoping for.
So I turn and walk down the street without looking back.
Behind me, I can feel her eyes on my back the entire way.
15
