Page 73 of Twisted Embrace

The restaurant was small, with very few tables, yet they had an incredible pianist and singer, the lovely woman wearing a similar red dress to what I’d chosen for the evening. The setting was perfect, a fantasy in another country, a dream no girl ever wanted to wake up from. Or perhaps I was continuing to kid myself that spending time with Enzo without having soldiers with weapons was possible.

Anthony and Federico stuck out like a sore thumb, their huge bodies reeking of danger. They constantly scanned the restaurant, as if an assassin was hiding in the coat closet. Instead of making me feel safe, it kept me on edge.

Even being in Enzo’s arms, I had a sense of urgency, as if this could be our last night together. As if any time we spent outside the compound could be our last moment spent.

He swung me around, pulling me tightly against him. “You lied to me. I thought you promised you’d never do that.”

Leaning back, he narrowed his eyes. “How did I lie to you, precious jewel?”

“You told me that you had no rhythm. Yet you’re an accomplished dancer.”

“Am I?”

“Let me guess. You had lessons when you were a kid, going from dancing to shooting practice.”

“Not true. My mother taught her son to dance. She told me that it could come in useful in my future.”

A shadow fell across his face. When he looked away, I pressed my hand against his cheek. “What is it?”

“Nothing important.” He kept his eyes locked on mine, his piercing gaze as captivating as ever. A part of me still wanted to hate him, but over the last two days of being able to absorb more of his life, the constant worry and frustration over finding the enemy had been eye opening.

“When something bothers you, then it’s important.”

He ran his fingers through my hair. “Stop worrying, precious jewel. The past is long gone. Only the future matters.”

“Yes, but our pasts shape us.”

He pushed away, twirling me three hundred sixty degrees as the beat became more aggressive and seductive. The lights had already been dimmed on the dancefloor even though the sun had just faded into twilight. He portrayed power and superiority, but I’d seen his slightly softer side more than once. I would cherish this night, hoping for more.

“Perhaps, but if we dwell on the past then we won’t experience the present.”

“Said like a true philosopher,” I told him.

His laugh was genuine, the deep sound sending vibrations straight to my core. “Words said by my mother.”

“An important part of your life. Perhaps I’ll write a story on your family.”

“I don’t think so.” He forced me into a sudden dip, leaning over me and holding the stance. The man made me swoon, tingling sensations tickling every cell and muscle. “Although I am curious what you would write.”

When he jerked me up, he dragged me onto my toes, his actions forcing me to press my hands against his chest. Our lips were dangerously close, his exotic and very masculine scent creating a series of shivers. The way his hot breath cascaded across my face ignited another fire, the feel of his hard cock pressing into me adding gasoline to the flame.

He lowered his head, brushing his lips across mine. I darted the tip of my tongue into his mouth, grinding my hips back and forth.

“Be careful, woman, or I’ll take you in the bathroom.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“You’ll learn challenging me isn’t in your best interest.”

“I’ll take that chance.”

As he swung us around again, he captured my mouth, instantly thrusting his tongue inside. He slipped his hand under my hair, wrapping his fingers around my neck. Up until now, the possessive hold seemed suffocating, a reminder that he could end my life with a snap of his wrist. Tonight, everything was entirely different, the hold becoming obsessive, a reminder to everyone else in the room that I belonged to him.

The taste of him was sweet yet tangy, the combination irresistible. I wouldn’t care where he fucked me. The thought was naughty and delicious.

Just like the man.

When he broke the kiss, he nipped my bottom lip then eased his head away.

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