When he finally broke the kiss that had devastated me, he leaned in to speak in my ear.“There is no way to get out of this marriage, Suna. None. Iwillbe your husband, and youwillbecome a Luciano. Get used to the idea.”
Just to be a jerk, he bit down on the lobe. I gasped as his teeth nibbled, and his tongue lathed the skin but didn’t break it, unlike me. He pulled back and turned a broad smile to those watching.
I stood numbly beside him, trying to process what had happened. I’d just had the hottest kiss of my life from the man I was supposed to marry. Oh, and he’d also threatened me and might be the only man scarier than my father. Great. Everything was turning out great.
“Smile. You look stricken, and it’s not doing anything for my reputation,” Vincenzo reminded me as we started back toward the seats.
I plastered a rictus grin on my face and let Vincenzo lead me to my sister. She was fanning herself and laughed as I sat down.
“You broke her brain! That kiss was so hot,” Hana enthused.
I stared at her, still smiling manically, waiting for Vincenzo to move away. Instead, he hovered beside me, leaning down to tuck my hair behind my ear.
“Act normal, tesora, or people might think you’ve never been kissed before,” he murmured.
Hana’s loud snort rent the air.“They might not be wrong.”
Vincenzo turned from my sister to me and tilted his head to the side, studying me as a wolf might study a little lost rabbit it was planning to devour.“Is that right?” he murmured, with a gleam in his eyes.
“So, what if it is? Are you embarrassed to have a clueless fiancée? I’ll probably be so shit in bed you’ll want a refund,” I challenged, annoyed that this man might think my lack of experience was something he could shame me for.
He surprised me by reaching out and rubbing a finger across my lip, making them tingle again.“I’ll teach you everything you ever need to know.” He leaned in, bringing his mouth to my cheek. “And I’ll enjoy doing it,” he murmured against my skin. “You’re full of surprises, Suna Song.” He pulled back before I could answer.
Then he was gone, leaving me sagging and confused in his wake. I watched his broad shoulders moving away, leaving me drowning in confusion. What kind of kiss was that on the dancefloor? I felt thoroughly ravished, and it had only been a kiss. What would it be like to sleep with Vincenzo? I was sure I couldn’t endure it. The things he’d make me feel, the raw vulnerability, the pleasure. He might lock that cage from the inside, but I’d be the one who threw away the key, deep under his spell. While his hands might promise bliss, his words reminded me I would be like every other woman in my world—a silent prisoner. I had promised myself long ago that if I had the chance to escape my family and the terrible world we lived in, I’d take it. Time was running out. Instinct warned me that if I waited too long, the security surrounding me as a Song daughter would look like child’s play compared to being the Luciano bride.
I only had one option. One means of being true to myself.
I had to get out of here as soon as I could. I had to leave New York before the wedding.