Page 51 of Promise Never

Sudden shyness overwhelms me.

I blink profusely, unable to hold his gaze. “Um,I’m all right.”

“Hungry? I’ll bring you something to eat.” He soundsso considerate, sincere.

Shame seeps in as I recall my behavior the nightbefore. I allowed my emotions to run free, relied on him to protect me, evenbegged him to stay with me.

What am I doing?

How can I yearn for Luca’s brother?

I roll over, giving Alessandro my back. “I don’twant anything.” My tone is more hurtful than intended, but it’s because I’mashamed of myself for letting these feelings run loose.

He blows a heavy and unsettling breath.

“Do you want me to leave now?” Hesounds upset. “Have you reminded yourself that I’m his brother, and you want meout of your sight?”

I clench the sheet, fighting the need toturn and tell him what’s really going on inside my body.

“Comevuoi.”I hear shuffling. “I’ll keep searching for Zeno.”

It sounds like he’s moving away fromme.

When I turn seconds later, I receiveconfirmation that Alessandro has indeed left.

Regret attacks me, and it’s a struggleto quell the ache in my chest.

I’m in trouble.

21

I watched her all night, memorizingthe contours of her face. The soft sounds she makes, and the way her chestrises and falls. The whole time, I wanted so desperately to climb into the bedand hold her.

Tiana asked me to stay, and I couldn’tbring myself to leave her side.

While admiring her, I kept replayingthe scene on the cliffside. She’d screamed for me, clung to my body as ifseeking comfort.

So much of my barrier is torn down nowfor her.

There’s no stopping the emotions.

I want her. Terribly.

That is why it had hurt when shelooked at me with regret after waking up.

She’s adamant about not connectingwith me. What she’s afraid to accept is that we’re past that stage.

Our fates interlocked the first timeour eyes met, and at this point, it’s exhausting to continue the fight.

But what exactly do I want with Tiana?

“Ales,” Mother yelps when I enter thehouse. She hurries from the sitting room, throwing her arms around me. Easingback, she looks over my appearance. “You were with Tiana all night, and Ididn’t want to disturb you.”

I groan and back away from her,rubbing the nape of my neck. “It wasn’t like that.”

She sniffs. “I sentRunito rest after the doctor checked him. He’d insisted hewas fine, but I saw a bump on his head.”

“Yes, he was knocked unconscious.”

---