I pull the dress down as it’s riding up my sides and walk into the hallway. God knows what the hell my family is going to think.
The lights form a contrast on the face of the man who is leaning against the wall right outside the restroom.
The last person I want to see right now, and maybe ever again.
Giovanni.
I stare at him, curse words flowing through my mind endlessly.
His large frame fills the walkway. I try to squeeze past him, but that gets me nowhere. His tense arms hold me back with no sign of a struggle.
I throw my arms up in defeat as I hear the soft laughter coming from the dining area. “I give up!” I shout, but not too loudly for everyone to hear.
His face turns white at the sound of my words, like a knife stabbing his open wounds.
“What do you give up?”
“I am just tired of these games, Gio.” I back away from him, but he continues to close the gap.
“Do I look like a man who plays games?” His voice is strong and angry as he steps toward me.
I shudder, running out of room as I back up.
My back hits the wall, and his arms cave me in, leaving me with less room than before.
I close my eyes, knowing where this will lead. “No.”
“You’re right. I don’t play games, and I don’t make jokes.” His voice sounds husky, inching toward my ear. “If anyone ever looks at you like that again, Nina, they won’t be able to look at all.”
Giovanni’s words make my knees weak. I never thought I would find his threats attractive, but in this moment, the only thing I can think about is the way his lips brush against my neck.
My heart beats quicker, pounding against my rib cage.
Think, Nina.
He kills people.
And he enjoys it.
He has slept with too many women—far too many to count.
“I want nothing to do with you,” I lie, and he knows it.
I try to kick him, but I fail. Nothing I do to this man will ever make him feel threatened.
He lets out a low snicker, making me regret what I said. “Are you sure about that,Donnina?” The tips of his fingers trail along my jawline, tilting my chin up, forcing me to look at him. “Because I think your body is telling me a whole different story.”
My breath is stolen as his lips touch the burning skin of my neck. My body is shaking. I don’t want this, but I need it. I have never felt a need for anything like this before.
My body betrays me as my arms wrap around his neck, pulling him in closer to me, leaving nothing but clothes as a barrier to our skin touching.
“Kiss me,” I whisper.
In this moment, I can’t seem to care about anything else.
My entire family only a room away doesn’t bother me. The fact that I can never have this man as my own doesn’t either.
His tongue warms the skin of my neck as he sucks.