her throat as the door cl

o didn'

ike he had all the time in the world, arms crossed, gaze heavy

slowly. "Why is

ed that," he sai

didn't

ing toward her in measured s

oice shaking, "-to let me believ

him," Vincenzo corre

hed with heat. "Y

ands still relaxed at his sides.

at, "you're

d slightly. "Is t

ill hear the echoes of Lorenzo's voice, the guilt, the cowardice. Her

safe," she said softly. "And you knew

u didn't benefit t

d at him.

to the room, to the house. "You're no longer

ilding again, sharp and wild

w, his voice lowering. "You're a

wallowe

shout-but they hi

r step. Now they wer

, resting on her waist. She flinched at the contact-but he d

" he said. "You hate me for w

u," she whispere

ed. "Fear is more

d, but her hair was still pinned up from the wedding. She felt the weight of

head dipp

felt him press it against the curve of her neck.

against her skin. "But I know be

"Don't mistake my s

ve a whisper. "I'm waiting to see ho

e side of her ribs, not groping, not

she could see the slight scar just below his left eye. Not deep. B

d, her voice steady now. "Do

he said, stepping back. "And

ked. "Ex

ike they hadn't just stood on the edge of something dangerous. "You'

wh

th his hand

ll mak

art leapt.

y. "Do you want to find ou

aid n

dn't

shut be

he exhaled shakily, wiping her hands on her skirt even though ther

id it would be-laid on a velvet hanger

was

red. Not

od

It wasn't revealing, but it was clearly tailored

at it for a

she c

t that way. She didn't wear the heels they'd given her-just the flats. Sh

quiet when s

ld fixtures. Everything here was too perfect. Too

the stairs, a m

dered, built like a wall. He didn't spe

a dining room that c

ne seat wa

e shirt was half-unbuttoned, sleeves rolled to the elbow, veins running up his forearms. One

up when sh

t, the way it moved as she walked. He didn't h

n up well

"You dress me like a doll

ping his wine. "I

dn't w

she

ed her

just brought in-seared duck, wine sauce, and roasted

ked up

said as she cut into th

said with a smile, "