Page 128 of My Sweetest Temptation

Yeah, I wasn’t so sure about that. The man’s intense gaze felt like a laser penetrated deep into my soul. It felt like he could sense every buried truth and expose them.

I swiftly shifted my gaze, breaking the intense stare, and felt a sense of relief when I noticed a pair of vivid blue eyes meeting mine. The butterflies in my stomach were swirling around as if they were having a party.

Nico approached me, grinning at me the whole time, and extended his hand.

“Do you mind if I take Winter for a bit, Aurelio?” he asked.

“Sure,” he replied and returned to his Legos. “Just make sure you bring her back to me.”

We all chuckled.

I took hold of it, and he clasped it with his. Nico led me to the piano, and I noticed a black violin already set up, waiting for me. He gestured toward the stand as he sat on the piano bench.

“What are we playing?” I asked, curiosity piqued.

“Whatever you want,” he replied with a smile.

I thought for a moment and then selected a piece by Yiruma. As I closed my eyes, the bow glided across the strings, my fingers moving instinctively. A few seconds later, the piano keys joined in, Nico following my lead seamlessly. We created the harmonious resonance of an orchestra as the distinct sounds from the two instruments blended together.

When the song ended, I opened my eyes to find Nico watching me, his blue gaze filled with admiration and something else—something that stirred a flutter in my chest. If I didn’t look away soon, I might drown in those blue pools.

I glanced around the room and saw everyone had gathered around us, captivated. Serafina even had tears trailing down her cheeks.

Nico’s warm hands found mine, and he drew me closer. “You’re beautiful when you play,” he whispered.

I smiled. “Thank you. So are you.”

He grinned, pulling me down to the bench beside him. “You ever play the piano?” he asked.

I shook my head. “No, but I’m thinking the notes aren’t too hard to follow.”

“Let’s try it,” he suggested, his enthusiasm infectious. He placed his hands on the keys and started playing a familiar tune from the movie Big.

I threw my head back and laughed. “’Chopsticks!’ Really?”

“Come on, play,” he encouraged me, and I couldn’t refuse.

When I stumbled over one of the notes, Matteo’s deep voice boomed, “Boo! You suck!”

Laughter erupted around us, but we continued playing. When we finished, Nico wrapped his palm around the back of my neck, pulling my forehead to his.

“Stay the night,” he said softly, his eyes searching mine.

“I planned on it, but I have my period, so no hanky-panky,” I teased, arching an eyebrow.

He chuckled, his shoulders shaking slightly. “That’s fine,” he replied. “Holding you might just be enough.”

“Are you sure that’s all you can handle?” I challenged playfully, leaning in a fraction closer.

“I think I can manage,” he said with a grin, his gaze softening as he brushed a stray hair behind my ear. “As long as I get to hold you.”

My breath caught, and I couldn’t help but smile. “Well then, let’s go.”

I leaned back in my chair, feeling the knot in my back unravel as I stretched. I had just finished the monotonous payroll process, and now I needed to drop the payroll report off with Mya. With a sigh, I pushed myself up from the chair and gathered the papers in my hands. I walked toward the door and swung the door open, expecting to see Enzo waiting, but he was nowhere to be seen.

He’d probably ducked out to the bathroom, knowing I’d be stuck in this office for hours. I’d been told to wait for him or to call one of the other guards if I needed to step out, but payroll needed to be in by a specific time to ensure deposits were processed on time.

I stepped out into the hallway, and as I turned a corner, I collided with something solid. The sharp scent of whiskey and overpowering aftershave hit me like a wall. I froze, my heart pounding.

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