Page 61 of Kiss Away Your Pain (Wounded Hearts 2)

“Close your eyes and rest here,” Helena says, then goes over to work on one of the female models.

“Come to my room tonight after we wrap,” I say, keeping my tone businesslike. “I can’t talk to you now. I have to stay focused on this campaign and give it my complete attention.” I soften. “I didn’t give you a chance to talk last night and I want to hear what you have to say.”

He sits up straighter and nods. “Okay.”

I push back my emotions from yesterday and put everything I have into making this campaign phenomenal. Though it’s tough to do the shoot with Enzo in every shot, after about an hour, I’m fully in my zone and loving the outcome.

With barely a break for lunch, we shoot into the night. A little after nine o’clock, I’m confident I’ve captured Gucci’s vision and I’ll be able to deliver them a quality product that’s exactly what they want. Enzo helps me and my team collect all the equipment and we leave the majestic garden.

When I get to my room, Enzo’s waiting by the door. Without a word from either of us, I unlock the door and we both step inside. Anxiety twists my stomach. He’s usually my comfort, my desire. Right now, he’s anything but.

“I’ll be right back.” I go to my bedroom and change into sweatpants and a sweatshirt.

When I return to the living area, Enzo stands from the sofa.

I sit in the adjacent chair, my nerves on edge, and tuck my legs under me.

He sits back down and rests his forearms across his knees, leaning his body toward me. He drops his gaze from my eyes to his folded hands. When he looks back up at me, he shakes his head. Tension permeates the room.

“I’m so sorry, Candi.” He draws in his lips. “I, heh.” He swallows. “I wanted to help you get your dream job. I thought I was going to make you happy.” Gazing down, he rubs the palm of his hand with his thumb. Then he raises his head. “Not for a second did I stop and think that that wasn’t how you’d want to land your dream job. Not with your integrity. I just…I didn’t think. And honestly, there’s nothing more I can say to try to redeem myself.” He shakes his head. Regret shadows his eyes when he looks at me. “I didn’t think. What I did was wrong. And I’m so sorry. I should’ve told you about it to begin with. I just got carried away. I hope you can find a way to forgive me.” A remorseful line dents his brow as he searches my face. “And I need you to know, I didn’t give them that ultimatum. I just asked Tommaso to consider you. You know a brand like Gucci wouldn’t offer you a campaign unless they researched you and saw how talented you are.”

I take a deep breath and exhale, letting his apology seep into me, cradle me, ease me.

“Much of my adult life, I’ve pushed people away. I run before they can. I don’t want to run from you. I don’t want to be alone anymore.” His Adam’s apple moves up and down. “I don’t want to lose you.” He begs, wearing at my fury, prying at the steel bars of my cage.

Though wounded, my heart speaks.I don’t want to lose him either.My nerves settle. I get up from the chair and sit on his lap, facing him. He rests his hands on my hips. I want him to feel my energy and look straight in my eyes. He needs to feel my words. “You hurt me.” I pause, letting my words hang in the air. “On a few levels.”

Remorse darkens his narrowing eyes as his brows pull together. “I know.” He drops his head.

I reach under his chin and lift his head so our eyes meet. “I don’t haveto be a damsel in distress for you to be my hero.”

His eyes squeeze shut. “I know that,” he says, taking a sharp inhale. “I’m so sorry,” he whispers, then buries his head between my neck and collarbone and wraps his arms around my waist.

We stay cradled in one another’s arms for a few minutes, healing ourselves and each other. Unspoken understanding silking a web between us. When we retract our embrace, his eyes volley between mine.

“Can you forgive me?” he asks.

My pain subsides with his sincere apology. I nod gently. “I forgive you,” I hush.

He wraps his arms around me and buries his head into me again, holding me so tightly.

When he releases me, the sparkle has returned to his beautiful green eyes. I lean forward and kiss him. Hot air from his nose brushes across my cheek like he’s releasing his pent-up anguish from the last couple days. He weaves his hands into my hair as his shoulders raise and he deepens our kiss.

Our tongues intertwine like they’ve been waltzing together for years, but with heightened desire. God, I love the way he kisses me, the way he taunts and teases me with his masterful tongue, like it’s making love to my mouth and he’s savoring every movement.

He moves his lips to my neck and I tilt back my head, breathing as he kisses a trail down my neck. He’s getting hard beneath me. My body responds before my head can think and I grind down into him.

He groans.

Am I ready for this?Yes, I’m ready.I want this. I want it with him.

I put my hands on his shoulders and grind again. Exhaling loudly, he stops kissing my neck and locks his eyes on mine. Fire burns behind them. Desire scorches the air.

I pull my sweatshirt off over my head and toss it onto the chair, sitting on him in my black lace bra and gray sweatpants.

“Jesus, you’re beautiful.” He cups my breasts in his hands, sits forward, and kisses the skin that’s not covered by lace. His delicate kisses send shivers quaking through me.

Reaching down, I grab the hem of his shirt and start rolling it up. He lifts his arms over his head and I tug it off, tossing it onto the chair. He rests his hands on my hips as I smooth my hands across his broad shoulders, down his muscular arms and back up. I graze my palms down the flesh of his chest, pausing and circling his hardening nipples. He grunts, digging his fingers into my skin.

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