Page 59 of Humility

“I think you’re being a flirt and would say anything to make me blush.”

She wasn’t wrong there. She was sexy as hell when she blushed.

“Why can’t both things be true?” The back of my knuckles trailed down the soft skin of her cheeks.

“Well, I um…I….”

I loved watching her stammer with nerves. The fact that I could fluster her made me feel like a Don.

“You have a little powdered sugar on your face,” I said.

“Oh no, where?” She went to turn away, but I held her face in my hands and rubbed my thumb over the corner of her lips and the imaginary white powder.

“Right here,” I whispered, touching my lips to the spot.

“Oh…I see,” Jasmine said, her voice airy, and my heart sputtered that she didn’t move away.

“We can’t have that,” I said, moving over a little and touching my lips to hers. I kept expecting her to shove me away. Dario was right. I didn’t deserve to be in her presence, let alone touch her for any reason. But to get a kiss—a kiss that she willingly gave—felt like winning the lottery.

Her exotic golden eyes fluttered closed, and I took what I hoped was an invitation and kissed her. Everything started soft and sweet regardless of my out-of-control heart, but the moment she moaned, I was done.

I needed to taste every inch of her mouth and drown in her sweet flavor. She still had a hint of the fresh strawberries and cream we shared at lunch on her lips. Groaning, I deepened the kiss and shuddered as her hands touched my waist. I didn’t care if it was too forward and grabbed her ass to pull her up my body.

She let out a startled gasp but moaned as I pressed her back into the wall. Everything strained, and I wanted her in every way possible. A tiny spark of guilt ignited in my gut as I thought about her moaning for me last night. I was tempted to tell her, but Dario’s warning ran through my head. Angelo will find a way to one day go back home, we will no longer be equals, and Jasmine will forever be a princess out of our reach. Remember your place, Enzo, or you’ll end up out of the race altogether. The memory kept my mouth shut, and instead, I deepened the kiss, not wanting this moment to end.

I growled as my phone rang, my lips pausing on hers as I contemplated my choices. If it was Angelo, he was most likely watching, and if I didn’t answer, I was a dead man.

“I’m sorry, I have to take this,” I said, easing Jasmine onto her feet before fishing out my phone.

It was Dario’s number, but that didn’t mean it was him. “Hey, what’s up?”

“I need a ride.”

“What happened to your truck?”

“Boss took it. Meet me at the new building in an hour. You can help me clean up.”

I glanced at Jasmine as she fixed her hair into a ponytail and knew the moment was lost. Angelo could be anywhere if Dario was alone. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I nodded even though Dario couldn’t see the action.

“Okay, I’ll be there soon. Do I need to bring anything to help clean up?”

“Nope, I have all of that taken care of,” he said, and I could make out muffled screaming in the background. I swallowed hard. That would be me if I pushed Angelo too hard. I knew it, and yet…as I glanced at Jasmine, I couldn’t help wanting to push every one of his fucking buttons.

“See you soon.” I hung up the phone and turned to face Jasmine. “I’m sorry, Isabella, but I have to go. Work is calling.”

“You work very strange hours,” she said, and I smiled.

If she only knew.

“Yeah, a landlord’s job is never done, but I had a great day and a lot of fun.”

“Me too,” she said, looking up at me as I cupped her cheek. Placing a chaste kiss on her lips, I walked out of the kitchen before I forgot all about Dario.

“Don’t forget to put more antiseptic on that burn,” I said and nodded toward the bandage on her hand. Jasmine followed me out into the hall, and each step I took felt like my boots were weighted. “Also, lock your doors. You never know who is around at night.” Granted, it was me, Angelo, and Dario sneaking in at night, but I still wanted her to be safe.

She smiled, and my heart skipped a beat. “Okay, Dad,” she said, and I paused with the door open.

“You can call me Daddy if you want,” I said. Then I wanted to bang my head off the door. “Sorry, that was….” Her shocked expression fell as she burst out laughing. “I’m going to go before I say anything else wildly inappropriate.”