Page 25 of Lethal Infatuation

"Semantics." His casual tone of voice and laid back demeanour irked me.

"What do you want from me, Nicolas?"

"What I want isyou." His stare pierced my soul. "I think you very well remember me telling you that I wanted you in every way possible. Did you think I was joking?"

Silence engulfed us. I could hear the shallow breaths Nicolas released, the quick gush of wind, and an owl hooting in the distance. "I didn't know what to think at the time."

"Then look me dead in the eye and tell me all you ever wanted was a one night stand. That from the very beginning, there was no chemistry between us, only sexual tension."

My mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. There were a few feet between us, but the intensity of his stare made it seem like he infiltrated every inch of my skin, flowing through my bloodstream.

The last thing I ever wanted was a one night stand. Hell, I'd never participated in that before because to me, sex was much more than just physical pleasure. It was intimate. A moment of vulnerability.

"Answer me." His voice snapped me out of my daze and Iswallowed hard, crossing one leg over the other.

"I can't do this right now." I stood up from my seat, prepared to leave this housewarming.

"You really have a knack for running away, don't you?" He stood up, mirroring my movements. "Perhaps I should tie you up. Maybe then we can have a proper conversation."

I blinked a few times, the thought of being tied up by this man created a pathway of illicit fantasies. "There'll be no need for that."

He came closer, stopping right in front of me. Nicolas brushed a stray curl out of my face, tucking it behind my ear. I released a heavy breath, trying to keep my eyes open.

His touch was gentle, warm, and comforting. Quite the contrast to his intense, cold demeanour. "Then answer my question. Give me an unfiltered answer and stop running. There's no escape, Gabriella. I'll hunt you down if I have to."

Aqcua Di Gio invaded my senses, making it difficult for me to think straight. "It was much more than just sexual tension, Nicolas, you know that."

"Do I?" A rhetorical question. I frowned at him, my burrows knitting together. "What are you so afraid of?" he asked, genuinely this time.

I swallowed softly, looking at the view of the city. I couldn't speak, I couldn't bring myself to admit my biggest fear.

"I need to go." Nicolas' hand was on the back my head before I could even step away from him. He tugged on the strands of my hair, making me whimper, and pulled my head backward—forcing me to make eye contact with him.

"You're not going anywhere." He leaned in. "And when I'm talking to you, I expect you to look at me, Gabriella." Our lips were inches apart and the cool breeze did absolutely nothing to lower my body temperature.

"You're so persistent." I gasped when he tugged my hair a little harder.

"Persistent?" He chuckled softly. "I've missed those little sounds you make for me." He moved his face next to mine, our cheeks touching as he whispered in my ear. "You haven't been with anyone else, have you?"

"What?" I asked breathlessly. Overstimulation. That's what I experienced right now.

"Tell me you haven't been with anyone else since our night together," he murmured. "I hope you know that if I can't have you, nobody else can." My eyes fluttered closed and I breathed heavily.

His last statement sounded deadly, as if daring me to say I've been with another. "I haven't," I said softly. "It's only been you."

He released me from his grip and stepped back. The action made my eyes pop open and I glanced at him with a frown. In that moment, I heard the lock to the balcony door click and I realised the reason why he created distance between us.

Ares stepped outside with Kayden beside him. I didn't wait a second longer and immediately rushed inside. I didn't even look back, but I could feel his eyes lingering on me. Déjà vu. Just like the day we met.

ELEVEN

Control.

My entire life I'd thrived on control, order, and being meticulous. Every move I made was calculative. There's nothing that irked me more than doing things on a whim or impulsivity.

If anything, it repulsed me and I found it absolutely abhorrent, but ever since I first encountered Gabriella, my control hung by a loose thread. One that was on the verge of snapping with each day that passed.

I shouldn't have gotten involved with her in the first place, but I couldn't stop myself. My self-restraint diminished before my very eyes, and unfortunately, there was nothing I could do to stop it.

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