I liked this story more than I should have. “And Mata fell in love with him, I presume?”
“How could she resist?” He puffed out his chest, cocky as ever. “His strength and good looks were already tempting, but his conversion sealed the deal. They’re revered as the ancestors of Messina. This is why people celebrate this festival every year.”
I closed the gap between us, my front brushing his torso. “You’re right, how could she resist?”
His green eyes widened, darkening.
“Something about this story… hits a little too close to home.”
A slow grin spread across his face as he cupped my cheeks. “You think?”
Our gazes locked, the world shrinking until it was just us. The music, the crowd, the vibrant energy of the festival faded into a muted hum. His fingers grazed my ear, a feather-light touch sending shivers down my spine. He tilted his head, his lips parting in an unspoken invitation.Need him. I’d never craved anyone like this, never felt this raw, desperate pull. Then, the fear coiled tight, squeezing the air from my lungs. I stumbled back. His groan brushed my cheek, a sound of frustrated longing. The festival’s noise exploded around me, a harsh reminder of the world outside our bubble.
“Don’t, Gemma.” He gripped my shoulders, his fingers digging into my skin. “Don’t shut me out every time we get close.”
“I have to.” Anger, hot and bitter, surged through me. Not at him, but at my own body, its desperate longing for his touch. Before, I fought it, but each time it grew harder. “I… I can’t deny I want you. That’s what terrifies me.”
“Why?” His eyes widened on the verge of berserking, his grip tightening until it hurt. “Why does it scare you?”
“You’re not the only one who made promises.” My heart twisted painfully, impeding the strength in my voice. “I made a vow, too. To God.”
He blinked at my words.
I should have guessed he wouldn’t understand. “To wait for marriage. I’d hate myself if I broke that, if I gave in to you.”
“But wearemarried!” His voice cracked as he shook me.
“Not to me, we’re not.” Cold clarity slammed into me. I feared this would happen. The lines would blur between reality and falsehood, afraid my heart wouldn’t discern between sincerity and lie. “Remember why you married me? To break me,” my words burst out. “I at least need to walk away keeping this one thing. It’s the one thing still mine and not tainted with your revenge.”
“It won’t be tainted.” He spat as if the syllables on his tongue tasted foul. “What we share has nothing to do with my vow and everything to do with us. There’s a pull between us. We’re both suffering. Why fight it?”
If I let myself touch him, kiss him, I’d be doomed. I’d spend the rest of my life haunted by the memory, mourning what could have been. “And what happens when we part ways? Huh? What happens then?”
He grew silent, his expression hardening.
“I heard what you said to Carina. The plan to manipulate me into falling for you? You told her you’re working on it.”
A flicker of pain crossed his face before he masked it with defiance. “You think all this… everything we’ve shared has been a game?”
“Yes?” My voice wavered, the uncertainty eating at me. He grabbed my hands, his grip tight, almost desperate.
“I told you things… things I’ve never told anyone. I opened up to you in ways I never thought possible. How could you even think it was all a lie?” His voice cracked on the last word, a raw, vulnerable sound clenching my stomach. “Don’t you dare cheapen what we’ve built.” He sneered and compressed his lips together.
The muscles between my brows tensed. “So… you lied to your mother? You told me you didn’t lie!”
“I haven’t lied toyou.” His eyes burned into mine. “I don’t care about lying to others.”
Lie or not, Carina would never accept me—Elisabetta’s daughter—into the family. She’d find a way to convince him. If I let him play this out, he’d discard me faster than his father abandoned his own wife. “My body,” I said, each word deliberate, “belongs to whoever my future husband will be. Arealhusband, Enzo. One whose purpose is marriage out of loyalty… not sabotage.” I surveyed him from head to toe, daringhim to contradict me. “Not… you.” Pressure built behind my eyes, hot and insistent. I dug my nails into my palms, focusing on the bite of pain, searching frantically for a distraction—any flimsy reason—before the dam inside me broke.
He stared at me, expression unreadable.
Every second felt like a lifetime under his scrutiny.I can’t breathe. “I need to use the bathroom,” I blurted, turning and pushing past people, desperate to put space between Enzo and me.
A cafe bar tucked away in the distance… perfect. My swift steps ate up the path to the building. Inside, I asked directions and a staff member pointed down the long hallway. Barging through the swinging door, I staggered to the sink, twisted the taps, and splashed cold water on my face.
Calm.
Inhaling and exhaling.
