Page 13 of Welcome to the Sins of Blackstone
Fine. If she wants to play chase, I’m happy to play too.
Little Miss Goody Two Shoes will be at the library, and I smile when I see her at the entrance laughing with Jo about something. Her body stiffens as though she senses me, she looks around, her gaze stops on me.
I found you.
I nod my head toward the empty hallway on the south wing, but she hesitates. So, I nod once more, and this time Jo nudges her to move.
Maria takes in a slow breath as she steps toward me. I turn, leading down the hallways, waiting until we’re away from wandering eyes, because I’m sure there will be a few.
She crosses her arms. “Don’t you have someone else to stalk?” Her voice is sharp, defensive, and I have to stop myself from smiling at her courage today.
“Just wanted to congratulate you on your engagement.” Her eyes break away from mine, the tension she was holding is no longer there. So, I was right, she’s not happy about this.
“It’s not official yet.”
I glance down at her hands, as she plays with her ring. “Waiting for Liam to get on one knee?” I taunt. I step closer, lowering my voice. “Tell me something, Maria. Are you happy about it?”
Silence. I reach out, tilting her chin back to me. “Look at me.” She doesn’t need to say a word, I can see it in her eyes, but she still whispers the word.
“No.” That’s all I need to hear.
I let my thumb brush over her jaw, feeling the warmth of her skin. “Then why are you letting it happen?” My voice is soft, I don’t want to scare her.
She inhales sharply, her hands dropping to her sides. “Because it’s not my choice, this is what my grandmother wanted.”
I tilt my head, my eyes scanning her face.
“I barely know him.”
My fingers trail down to her wrist, brushing over the delicate skin. Soft. Warm. Just as I imagined it would be. “Have you even kissed him?” I ask.
She lets out a shaky breath. “No.”
I know I shouldn't touch her, I should walk away, but I can’t. I want her.
She stares at me, her breaths uneven, her lips slightly parted, her gaze shifting from my lips to my eyes.
I tilt her chin and kiss her. Soft at first, not wanting to hurt her. Her lips are tense on mine. She’s nervous.
But I deepen the kiss, and finally she opens for me and kisses me back.
Fuck, she’s sweet, innocent, and she’s letting me have her.
I pull away slowly, watching her reaction. Eyes still closed, cheeks flushed, lips pink, and I swallow. She exhales, lips parted, breath catching like she’s forgotten how to take her next one.
My hand trails up her arm, brushing her hair over her shoulder, and I whisper to her. “Do you think you should still marry him?”
She closes her eyes, not answering my question because I already know.
Chapter 7
Maria
The whole way home from school, there was only one person I could think about. Massimo.
His touch. His voice. The way his lips felt on mine.
I had imagined how he would kiss me a hundred times, and it was fire, dangerous, and I wanted more. So much more.
