Page 96 of Abandoned Oaths

I held his gaze as I nodded once. A sick feeling pooled in my stomach.

What happened when I was the one who hurt him?

Alessio handed me a glass of white wine with an apologetic smile. “This wasn’t how I wanted the night to go.”

I pulled my legs up on his supple leather couch and tugged the cashmere throw blanket over my shoulders. “Me either. I’m sorry.”

“Never apologize. Not for being honest with me. I’m glad you told me you wanted to leave. I’d rather be here with you, anyway.”

I dropped my eyes to the glass. “You don’t need to do that.”

“Do what?” He spread his arm along the back of the couch, his fingertips just close enough to dance along the blanket.

“Lie to make me feel better.”

He leaned in until I had no choice but to meet his heated gaze. “I’d never lie to you, but more importantly, I swear there’s nowhere I’d rather be.”

Fuck if I didn’t believe him.

“Why?” I shook my head. “You had an entire club of people who would do anything to be in my place, and you could have your pick of them.”

“I don’t care about any of those people,” he snorted. “Okay, a few of them I do, but the majority just want to leech off me. They think being in my vicinity will be enough to get them noticed. To get a taste of what I have or what they think I do.”

“Which is?”

“Money, power.” His eyes dropped to my lips. “The most beautiful woman.”

I closed my eyes. My heart tightened in a horrible pain. He didn’t know me. He didn’t even know Millie.

“Alessio.” His name came out as a whisper.

His fingers lifted, dragging up my neck to tilt my chin up. His lips pressed against mine once before pulling away.

I looked up through my lashes. “You’re surrounded by beautiful things. Am I just something else to add to that collection?”

Why did I care? Why did I hold my breath, waiting for his answer?

“Millie.”

The crack in my heart broke widened. That wasn’t me.

“You’re so much more than a pretty face to admire.” His hands lowered the blanket before going behind my neck. I froze as his fingers unclasped the halter, freeing the dress to slip around my waist, leaving my breasts bare to him.

He didn’t stare. He didn’t even touch me.

He stood and offered his hand.

This was it. Could I do this again? Could I turn off my emotions and give in to what my body wanted?

I didn’t have a choice. My fingers were already locked with his.

As I stood, the dress pooled around my feet, leaving me in nothing but a white lacey thong.

His hands wrapped around my hips as he dipped his head, kissing a trail down the curve of my neck to my right shoulder. “You’re generous.” A line across my collar bones. “Humble.” Up my left shoulder. “Kind.” When his lips got to my jaw, I turned and claimed them and slid my hands over his chest before wrapping around his neck.

I didn’t have to pretend this was Javier or Marco. I didn’t think about Cruz or Derek.

This was all about the man holding me like a precious artifact. Gentle. Tender. Loving.

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