Page 67 of My Sweetest Temptation

NOW!

Me

Why?

Nico

Because if you don’t want to be dragged out of here by your hair in front of hundreds of people, walk the fuck away.

Me

Leave me alone.

I was playing with fire, but I couldn’t seem to help myself. The way he controlled me infuriated me, and yet, it excited me too.

God, there was something seriously wrong with me.

“What’s your name, gorgeous?” the bartender asked, interrupting my thoughts.

“Winter,” I told him with a smile, and tucked my phone away.

His smirk deepened. “So, tell me, Winter, are you spoken for?”

Confused, I furrowed my brows. “What do you mean?”

He chuckled. “Do I have to worry about a jealous boyfriend?”

“No, I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Good.” His eyes twinkled with mischief as he leaned in and rested his arms on the bar. “I might just have to make sure you get home safe tonight,” he replied, his tone smooth as silk.

My smile faltered, and I swallowed hard. Yeah, I don’t think so, buddy.

The bartender extended his hand toward my face, and I remained still, aware that I ought to pull back, yet I didn’t. I shut my eyes, anticipating the touch, but then I sensed a rush of movement next to me. When I opened my eyes, the bartender’s hand was gripped in midair by a pair of tattooed hands wrapped around it.

The bartender’s face contorted in pain, his features paling.

“You want to explain what the fuck you think you’re doing with that hand of yours?” Nico spoke in an unsettlingly deep and calm tone.

“Nico, wait—” I began, but his intense gaze silenced me.

“I wasn’t asking you,” he spat at me.

Turning to the bartender, I searched for words to apologize, but Nico’s grip tightened, eliciting a pained groan.

“Nico, please stop it,” I whisper-hissed. “Let him go.”

“I will when he answers my question,” Nico growled.

“I-I thought she was single, Mr. Moretti,” he stammered “I swear to God, I would never look or touch someone that was yours.”

I reared back in disgust. What the hell? I was not a freaking object!

Nico pulled the bartender closer, his face inches from his. “Today’s your lucky day. Because of her, I won’t have to break your fucking jaw just for talking to my girl. Got it?”

He nodded vigorously, tears leaking from the corners of his eyes. “Yes, sir.”

With a swift, brutal motion, Nico lifted the bartender’s wrist and slammed it against the edge of the bar with a sickening crack.

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