As our heightened senses come back to earth, the reality of the moment also returns.

I just slept with Bianca.

Bianca Bonucci, who is totally off-limits to any of us.

Fuck!

I just reacted like a teenager getting the offer of his first lay. Stupidcazzodidn’t think with his head, just with his cock, his desire, his need. At least I didn’t spill prematurely, but as if that’s any comfort today.

I pull back, staring at her lying there on the silk bedspread.

“Don’t,” she says.

“What?”

“Don’t spoil this.”

“I’m not. I—”

A cheer comes from downstairs. Next, the MC can be heard announcing the cutting of the cake.

Bianca’s already up and reaching for her dress.

“We should go down,” she says.

What we should do is talk about this. Though what good will that do? What’s done is done. And no one can find out. We’ll both be utterly fucked then. And I’ll be dead. Mattia or his father, or even her fiancé, will come for me.

Fuck!

All we can work now is damage control. This stays between us.

I nod. “But not together.”

She freezes, the scrap of her thong in one hand.

“Of course not.”

She then gives me the fakest, coldest smile imaginable, and I can feel the blow like brass knuckles on a beefy hand slamming into the side of my ribcage.

So that’s how it’s going to be. Just as well, really.

She quickly gets dressed, already on her way to the door when Irecover enough to say something.

“Bianca—”

“Don’t, Leo.”

Then, she’s gone, the door closing behind her.

She must’ve imagined I would tell her this was a mistake. It was. Or not. I don’t know anymore. All I know right now is that I need to get downstairs asap, and I also need to get rid of this soiled bedspread.

As I pull the red silk off the bed, I can’t help but wonder if I can pull the very thought of Bianca Bonucci out of my mind.

But bottom line? I need to. Bianca Bonucci belongs nowhere near me, not even in my mind. Period.

Chapter 4

Bianca