Page 96 of My Sweetest Temptation

Tabi

Hey! We need to plan a spa day!

Liam

Just checking in to make sure you didn’t back out for Turkey Day. Dad’s looking forward to your visit.

Tabi

And we can do dinner and a movie afterwards.

I’d respond to them later. I looked up from my phone and noticed how immaculate Nico’s room was. There were no personal touches—no pictures, nothing that gave away who he really was. It felt more like a hotel room than a home. Curiosity piqued, I approached his walk-in closet, ready to snoop.

When I opened the double doors, I gasped. Recessed lighting illuminated the space, showcasing a double-sided center island dresser with a smooth stone slab. There was wall-to-wall hanging space, pull-out drawers, and ample open shelving. The dark wood grain beautifully stood out against the light natural flooring, giving the room an air of elegance.

I glanced back to check if anyone was around before diving deeper into my exploration. His suits were neatly separated from his dress shirts, all color-coordinated.

I couldn’t resist opening a drawer, and found his boxers and socks rolled up neatly, just like you’d see in a high-end store.

Color-coordinated again.

I ran my fingers over his silky ties, inhaling the scent of his clothes. God, he really did smell incredible. It was intoxicating, and I could feel myself getting a little loopy from it. Not that I’d ever been drunk before, but this was what I imagined it would feel like.

Just then, Nico’s dog let out a little bark, as if to remind me I wasn’t alone.

“All right, all right, I’m coming,” I said, following him out of the closet and shutting the door behind me. I was about to leave the room when a soft but firm knock caught my attention. The door cracked open slowly, revealing a petite woman with short black hair. Her sharp grey eyes held a warmth that instantly made me feel at ease.

“Hello,” she said. “I’m Serafina, Nico’s mom.” She stepped into the room and closed the door behind her.

“Hi, I’m Winter,” I replied, nervous energy swirling in my chest. I couldn’t shake the thought, Am I about to feel her wrath, and is it like her son’s?

“My son has good taste,” she said, looking me up and down. “You are very beautiful.”

I smiled at the compliment. But then her expression shifted to something more serious. “Winter, I need you to understand something important about Nico.”

She took a step closer. “Nico is… complicated. He’s had his share of darkness. There are parts of him he keeps hidden, even from those he cares about.”

I nodded, my pulse quickening as I waited for her to elaborate.

“He can be dangerous,” Serafina continued, a tightness creeping into her voice. “But he’s loyal to a fault. When he cares for someone, he’ll protect them with everything he has. You’re now one of those people.”

“What do you mean?”

Serafina’s lips pursed. “There are things in his past...people who have hurt him. He’s built walls around himself, and they can be hard to breach. But once you’re in—once you’ve earned his trust—he’ll keep you close. He’ll fight for you.”

“Nico and I are nothing to each other. Just an inconvenience, more than anything,” I muttered.

She chuckled softly. “Well, either way, he has welcomed you into his world. I just ask that you be cautious and remember that the only thing Nico does not tolerate is betrayal. If you ever cross that line, I’m afraid I won’t be able to save you from him.”

I swallowed, the weight of her warning pressing against my chest. “Well,” I said and cleared my throat, “you won’t have to worry about that. I don’t foresee staying in Nico’s life.”

Serafina’s gaze softened further, and she gently pulled my hair over my shoulder, trailing her fingers down the strands. “I hate to break it to you, but once Nico has his sights on you, there’s no running from him. Once he’s caught you, you cannot escape my son.”

I looked into her eyes, a mix of fear and excitement surging within me. “I’m not a prisoner, right?” I asked cautiously.

She laughed, the sound lightening the mood. “No, sweetheart. You are free to leave whenever you want.”

I smiled back, feeling a little more at ease. I was about to respond to Serafina when there was a knock at the door.

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