Page 108 of Sinister Intentions

“Enough,” Vince growled.

But the words hit me like a punch to the gut.

Under his hard shell, he’s hiding a good heart.

Vince’s drawing immediately came to mind. The beauty he saw in me. And even though we’d fought like feral cats in the last couple of days, there had been those little moments when he cared for me, as well.

The way he’d looked at me. The way he’d made sure—despite his growly threats—that I was okay, that I wasn’t hurting.

Holy shit.

What exactly was going on with me? Did Vince Salvini somehow brainwash me? How did I suddenly see all the green flags when I’d only seen red ones before?

Who was this man, and when exactly did I stop seeing him as the enemy?

Was this what sex did to you?

Was there such a thing as sperm-induced endorphin release?

“Okay, we’ll need some girl talk,” Isabella said, got up, lifted Picca off my lap, then pulled me up, as well. “We’ll be in the jacuzzi, nursing our hangovers, so don’t come outside,” she said, pointing a finger at Matt and Vince. Then, she dragged me behind her toward her room.

Once in there, she handed me a bathing suit and a fluffy pink bathrobe, then put her finger over her lips and shushed.

Why was she telling me to keep quiet?

“Let’s get changed quickly and talk outside,” she whispered, and I suddenly realized why she wanted to have some “girl talk.”

This had nothing to do with Vince’s declaration and everything to do with Iset’s and Nyx’s problems.

But what was this whispering all about? Was the apartment bugged? And if so, were there hidden cameras, as well? I looked around,but couldn’t find anything suspicious.

Vince wouldn’t film himself, right? What good would that be?

I shook my head, changed into the bathing suit and the robe, and followed Iset outside, simultaneously dreading and looking forward to hearing what news she had.

I watched her round the corner toward a part of the deck I hadn’t noticed before.

I crossed the deck to follow and desperately tried to ignore the fire pit, the hammock, and the pool to my left.

Was it only the day before yesterday when Vince dumped me in there?

How was it that we’d moved from hating each other to having what was possibly the best sex anyone ever had in a matter of a weekend? I mean, we didn’t even use a condom, for God’s sake. Was he really, seriously considering marrying me and starting a family? Just like that? And how was it that most of our interactions happened or started out here?

I shook my head, rounded the corner, and came to a stop right in front of Vince.

“He was just leaving,” Isabella said, animosity dripping from her voice.

Vince looked over his shoulder. “I just opened the jacuzzi for you, you ungrateful brat.” He turned back and focused on me. He looked me up and down, and his eyes darkened.

I immediately felt the heat build in my chest.

He stared at my cleavage, barely visible under the robe.

“I’m not naked under there,” I said.

His grin was almost wolfish, and there was mischief dancing in his eyes. “Well, it’s just a question of how many layers I have to go through, right?”

I raised a single eyebrow. Where did this flirty version of Vince suddenly come from? Wow, just wow.

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