Page 62 of Promise Never

“I’m showering first,” she says.

“Is that an invitation?” I askplayfully.

“No,” she grumbles, stepping by me tothe door.

“Just use my shower.”

She pauses and glances at me sideways.“I need a change of clothes.”

“Then you’ll bring your things here,”I finish, dipping my head and peering up at her.

Tiana twists her mouth. “You’ll do ityourself if I refuse, won’t you?”

I chuckle. “OfcourseI will.”

She sucks air through her teeth andmarches out the door.

Tiana King. I’ll make you see arelationship between us can work if it’s the last thing I do.

I’m a little surprised Tiana didn’tput up more of a fight, entering the kitchen minutes later with her duffel bagin tow.

“I’d rather the guest room,” she says,leaning her hips to one side.

I scoff. “No. I want you in mine.”

She throws the duffel bag at me withforce. I catch it at my stomach but not without a cough from the impact.

“Cristo, woman,” I hiss.

Huffing, she steps into the pantry andbegins rifling through everything.

“No cereal.” I place her bag next tothe island. “I cooked breakfast.”

“Youcooked?” she mocks.

“Funny. Sit down. I’ll fix a plate foryou.”

Tiana concedes and struts over to theisland, sitting on one of the stools.

I set a plate with toast, eggs, andsausage before her.

She raises her brows as if amazed.

“Would you like coffee or orangejuice?” I offer.

“Orange juice. I hate coffee.”

“Noted.” I fill two glasses and joinher at the island to eat.

“Grazie,” she says after the firstbite without looking at me.

“Prego.” I chuckle softly. “You don’thave to keep pretending to be mad at me, Tiana. Aren’t you exhausted?”

“I am mad at you,” she grumbles beforedrinking some juice. “You’re aFattore.”

“You’re frustrated because of yourfeelings. You want to despise me, but you cannot.” I touch the arch of herback, making her shudder. “No matter how you fight, you can’t help but wantme.”

Tiana shifts on the stool until I movemy hand. “Anyway. You can’t just stop looking for Zeno. He’s a threat.”

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