Page 2 of Fierce Protector

I take the three paces needed to bring us toe to toe and wedge my hands firmly on my hips. “What do I have to do for you to notice me? How long do I have to wait, huh, Stefano?” I force out, my exasperation betraying emotions I’ve buried for years.

It cuts like a knife to my chest when his face morphs into one of complete and utter shock. He takes a step back, trying to put some distance between us, but I’m all out of self-respect, and I’m done pretending I don’t want him. I move with him, matching each one of his retreating strides with an advancing one.

My hands find his cheeks and he freezes, our gazes colliding and a look I can’t discern casting a shadow across his features.

“Don’t,” he commands with a dark tone he’s never used withmebefore. I know all his tones. They tell me everything I need to know. This one sends a shiver down my spine, but does nothing to dissuade me.

Fuck It.

STEFANO

The second her lips touch mine, something almost primal spurs to life inside me. I’ve known Katerina her whole life. I’ve come to admire and respect the formidable woman she’s grown into, but this feeling coursing through me right now is not that of a doting family friend. It’s possessive, passionate, and undeniable.

She’s a stunning woman who’s as intelligent as she is beautiful. As gracious as she is petulant. She possessesthe most unique collection of traits. They’re an exquisite blend and while I’ve always recognised them in her, I’ve never been more tempted by them than I am now.

She’s magnificent.

Her breath is hot against mine, and when her tongue sweeps against the seam of my lips, I have less than half a moment to decide between right and wrong. Do I stop this before it goes too far or do I, for once, listen to the parts of myself I keep buried? Do I ignore my head and obey my heart?

She lets out a tiny whimper and I’m done for.

The second I taste the citrus on her tongue, I know nothing will ever be the same between us again. She tastes like every pleasure I’ve ever denied myself, all wrapped up in a woman I can never have. Our kiss descends into something more desperate, frantic almost.

I want her. I need her, and it’s going to destroy me giving her up. There’s no way I can keep her. Her father would never forgive me.

I register the moment she realises the impact of what we’re doing. She falters for a fraction of a second—her lips stilling against mine—but it’s just long enough for sense and logic to make themselves known, and it steals our moment from us.

We pull back and stare in silence, letting the pregnant pause stretch out until it’s almost unbearable. It doesn’t matter that we’re concealed by the darkness of the grounds, far away from the house. It still feels dangerous. Like we could be exposed at any moment by a stray guest. Both of us hesitant to speak, only able topant as we steady our breaths. I know the minute I open my mouth, I’ll ruin this moment.

“We can’t.” The words tumble out of my mouth. A twinge of regret lances through my chest, and it only gets worse when Katerina’s expression falls.

She dips her chin, her eyelids shuttering closed, the sweep of her lashes wet with tears. “I know.”

I reach out to brush my hand down her arm and she flinches. Before I can stop her, she’s yanking her shoes out of the grass and running across the lawn. Away from the party; away from me.

It takes everything in me not to chase after her. Not to take her in my arms and finish the kiss we started. Not to pursue her just so that I know she’s safe. I know she’s perfectly capable of looking after herself, but the guest list for this wedding is a veritable den of vipers. I hold my ground, determined to give her space, while also watching to ensure that no one follows her.

I don’t know what to do next. How to go back to how I felt five minutes ago—completely oblivious to how much I want that woman? All my walls have come crashing down, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to build them back up. Not now I know what she tastes like. I’m forty-four years old and no one has ever made me feel like that. She’s stirred a desire that can never become a reality.

I run my hands over my face and stare up at the night sky. I don’t know how long I stand there, but when I see the flicker of a shooting star in the corner of the night sky, I close my eyes and wish.

Wish for what I know I can never have: my best friend’s daughter.

CHAPTER TWO

KATERINA

PRESENT DAY…

Why, when you’ve spent hours saving a patient’s life, do they try and fuck up all your hard work by crashing on you? Honestly, it’s just plain rude. Especially when it’s not related to the problem you’ve just fixed. I’d been seconds away from closing when the patient’s blood pressure dropped through the floor, and he arrested.

Of course, the cardiologist on call has kept us waiting, which is why I’m now elbow-deep in my patient’s chest cavity. I’m not averse to the exhilaration and thrill of dealing with complications, but I already saved this asshole once and I’m tired.

It’s taking longer than I would like to get thepatient's vitals stabilised. I’m shouting for an extra hand to hold a clamp as the head of cardiology bursts into the operating room, finally deigning us with his presence.

“Nice of you to show up,” I mutter into the back of my surgical mask. Hoping rather than knowing that I said it quietly enough for the fabric to muffle my words.

“Have something to say to me?” Doctor Jenkins says as the surgical nurse secures his gloves.

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