“Give me what I want and I’ll give you all of this.”
“You want too much, Enzo.”
A quiet laugh rolls off his chest. “I want you, Adriana.”
I toss my head and he closes his eyes for a moment longer than he needs to.
“I will have you one way or the other, and denying this is pointless. You are mine, Adi.” He kisses me again and my treacherous heart burns for the man who’s perfect for me, although he’s everything I should despise. “Surrender, baby. Give in and we’ll direct your energy to more pleasurable pursuits.”
My glass disappears and Enzo smirks, certain he’s going to get his way. I wish I had his confidence, but he’s won every other battle we’ve fought, and I see no reason for this to be any different.
The simple truth is if he hadn’t been such an asshole, I’d already have given him what he wants. Enzo could have seduced me with gifts and evenings out, with straightforward conversations and consideration for what I want or need. He’s done little without making demands, often getting more than I can give, and the lines between what he’s taking and what I’m giving freely aren’t as clear as they should be.
Nor are those between what I like and what I accept.
I’m confused and hurt, uncertain and unable to trust him, even though he saved my life.
And of all the things he’s done, his deceit is by far the bitterest pill to swallow. The asshole trapped me in a deal that I can’t escape and I’m doomed by my naivety. My heart might be falling for him, but my head is determined to fight, refusing to be fooled by the same lies twice.
Or by the same liar twice.
“I don’t believe you.”
The four words cut through the air like a dagger piercing a chest, but Enzo doesn’t flinch. His eyes darken and the rims of gold shine brighter, trailing circles of sparkles around his irises.
“I know, baby. I know.”
He lifts me into him, and his kiss is deep and sensual. My body molds to his as Enzo cups my ass and I almost moan, somehow stopping myself from seeking more. I’m enjoying all this is and everything he’s giving me and I want more, but I don’t want to give it to him.
I don’t want to trust him.
Not with my heart.
Or my soul.
“You’re so damn perfect, Adriana. Give me what I want and I’ll give you this world and any others you desire.”
Enzo kisses my neck, and my composure breaks as blossom falls around us. It’s the perfect romance, my ideal kiss—except it isn’t. Not with him. Not like this. Not when I’m not sure if I’d choose this.
“Baby, stop overthinking this. I feel your desire. I know your need. Stop constraining yourself in the illusion of free will. It doesn’t exist and the choice I give you is more than any other immortal allows.”
“I don’t believe…”
Enzo’s mouth crashes into mine and steals my words, leaving me breathless and without a tether. I’m drifting on a sea of desire, as lost and aimless as wood riding the ocean’s currents after the devastation of the storm. I’m shattered, barely afloat, but trying not to surrender to the tides that try to pull me under.
My head’s only just above water and I’m sinking into the desire Enzo’s stoking in me. His hard body holds me firm and his hands touch me in all the right places and I’m melting, despite my best intentions.
“I won’t hide who I am from you, Adi. I never have and I never will. Don’t hide from me. Or yourself.” He brings his lips dangerously close to my earlobe and a shudder of excitement trails down my spine. “You are mine and I adore you.”
My clit throbs, and I fall into madness, moaning as he sucks and bites my neck. My fingers claw his arms, clinging to him and trying to inflict enough damage to make it hurt,retaliating for everything he’s done. It’s so damn wrong, but it’s also so damn right. I hate him for being perfectly imperfect, for being the asshole he is but the one I need and want. The man’s stolen my heart and he’ll sway my head, eventually.
Enzo’s already won this battle. Again.
He’s taken everything he wanted without giving me a choice.
“It’s okay, baby,” he whispers. “I’ll always catch you. In your darkest moments and when you think you are falling into oblivion. There’s nowhere I won’t go to claim you, nothing I will not conquer or destroy for you. I’ll tear down this and any other world to have you, Adriana, and I pity the soul that tries to come between us.”
Enzo runs his knuckles down my face and my eyes close, half surrendering, half denying the way he soothes the storm raging inside me.
