Page 35 of Promise Never

My heart starts to pound faster as he closes thegap between us. “You truly are…beautiful.”

A shaky breath gusts out when he lifts his hand tomy face, lightly tracing my jaw with his thumb.

Why am I frozen instead of slapping his hand away?

What’s wrong with me?

Carnal desire soars higher as he stares at mymouth, and my pulse accelerates when he leans his head, seeming to beconsidering whether to kiss me.

A massive part of me wants to taste his mouth andfeel his body against mine.

I know I’m just horny. But it’s bizarre that I onlywant him and no other man to satisfy my sexual need.

Alessandro takes a hard swallow, and somethingsnaps me out of the trance.

I stagger back, making his hand fall from my face.“What are you doing?”

He clears his throat and shakes his head. “Sorry.Buonanotte.”

Disappointment washes over my body when he walksaway. Fighting against the longing, I clench my fists tightly.

I watch Alessandro until he disappears on the pathin the low-lit yard.

A profound groan leaves my lips.

What the hell was that just now?

Did he really want to kiss me?

15

My neck isn’t aching as much when I wake at dawn.

After showering, I haul on the mid-thigh romper Sofiagifted me. It’s comfortable and fits just right.

I stroll outside, feeling restless and hoping todo something productive. Maybe I can help Alessandro find Zeno.

Then again, he may refuse after the shit that wentdown the day before at the café.

My tummy flip-flops uncontrollably when the frontdoor of the main house opens. But it’s not Alessandro who exits.

I wheel around, wanting to dash out of sightbefore Sofia spots me.

“Tiana!” she calls.

“Crap.” I didn’t want her to see my neck. I thinkneither does Alessandro, which I assume is why he brought me dinner theprevious evening instead of letting me eat with them.

At Sofia’s approach, I slowly turn.

Her deep auburn eyes enlarge when she notices mybruised neck.

“Miodio! That liar.” Shequickens forward. “Hetold me nothing happened to you.Look at this! Has our doctor—”

“Yes. I’m fine. There’s no need to fuss. I mean,we don’t even know each other.”

She touches my arm gently. “I told you, Tiana.Luca took your sister’s life. We will protect yours. Provide anything youneed.”

I ease back from her. “Sofia, I don’t—”

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