“I can absolutely see why he would pit himself against you and come up wanting,” she said before she realized it.
Heat poured through her. But she didn’t want to take it back.
She wanted to be this girl—no, this woman—who saw a powerful, ruthless man like Alessandro for what he was underneath his remote, aloof armor.
This woman who didn’t hide from her own wants.
This woman who boldly challenged a man who would devour her given half the chance. But what if she wanted to be devoured?
What if after everything she’d been through, she’d morphed into a dark, hungry creature who liked grumpy monsters better than charming next-door guys?
Her heart pounded in her chest, her skin felt deliciously taut, and there was that fluttering ache between her thighs… For the first time in her life, she was standing in the arena, instead of watching from the crowd.
Alessandro didn’t move a muscle, like a wildcat lounging in its true habitat but tracking every breath and move of its prey. Every inch of him was focused on her. “Because I’m taller, richer and more handsome,bella?”
The endearment landed right below her belly like a fishhook, pulling at her entire being. “Matteo is definitely the more handsome one,” she said, folding her arms under her breasts, which felt achy and heavy.
“What, then?” The intensity of his gaze made her skin prickle, as if she were standing too close to a flame.
“He knows that, beneath the arrogance and the remoteness, you’ve got him beat. That you’re real, Alessandro. For someone like Matteo, who dwells in illusions, he tells the world and himself you’ll always be a threat.”
“You’re a very dangerous woman, Sameera.”
She shrugged, her breath coming in a ragged push. Luckily, she was saved from having to reply by his cell phone.
Her pulse raced as she watched him answer the call, his gaze on her the entire time. He hung up within a few minutes, pocketed his phone and went back to his lounging. With his eyes closed, the dark circles under his eyes looked like bruises.
“When was the last time you went to bed?”
“Are you worried about me?”
“Doesanyoneworry about you?”
“They don’t have to.”
“That’s a very lonely place to be.”
His lashes lifted. “You continue to amaze me,bella.”
“Don’t mock my concern. It’s genuine.”
He dipped his head. “I haven’t gone near a bed in three days, no. I did eat, at the hospital café. I had to finalize merger documents for a Japanese company. I grabbed a quick shower at work. Then I went back to the hospital to talk to the specialist. My father is a steady man but my aunt…is falling apart.” A soft sigh escaped his lips. It was only when he mentioned his aunt that Sam heard the catch in his voice. “Somehow, I managed to talk her into coming home tonight so that she can rest. Right now, Angelina is with him. As soon as I can muster some energy, I will go back to the hospital and stay with him tonight. The second surgery is scheduled for first thing tomorrow.”
“I wish I could stay with him for the night. But hospitals…” she said. “I’ve had some bad experiences.”
“You don’t have to.”
Sam pushed to her feet, feeling as strung out as she’d felt after the flight. But this exhaustion was less physical and more emotional. Like she’d lived through a year’s worth of experiences in a week. “Can I see him tomorrow?”
“Sì.”
“You should nap,” she said, gathering her painting supplies. “I’ll go for a walk.”
He flicked a hand in her direction. “No,stay.”
“You need a break.”
“I like your company.”
