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“What makes you ask that?” Beyond me sneaking into her room at night.
She shakes her head. “Never mind. Just … I need to know something.” She inhales deeply. “Why do you like me?”
I shrug. “What’s not to like?”
A flash of disappointment filters through her eyes. “Oh.”
She really wants to know. This isn’t a game for her like it is for me. In my short time knowing Francesca, it’s clear she’s shy and insecure. Of course, I can’t tell her about the bet. But … there’s something intriguing about her that goes beyond my bet with Henry. Something about her makes me feel possessive in a way I’ve never felt about any other girl I’ve been with.
“I like you because you fascinate me,” I admit. It’s the truth. “A lot of women like me instantly. But you … you haven’t fallen at my feet like I was expecting.”
“You think highly of yourself,” she says, a small smile on her lips.
“I do. I have good reason. If you got the attention I do … Well, let’s just say it can go to the head. I like the fact that you’re making me work for you. I know you’re Emilia’s sister, which makes this impossible between us. But I can’t stop thinking about you, Fran.” Also the truth. “You fascinate me. I want to get to know you more.” I pause, then ask, “Tell me something no one else knows about you.”
She stares into my eyes for a long moment like she’s weighing whether I’m speaking the truth or not before she nods. “Something no one else knows about me …” Her eyes darken. “My mom blames me for my father’s death.”
For once, I’m speechless. I never expected her to admit something that personal. “Fran …”
“It’s ok. You don’t have to respond. I don’t know why I told you that.” She turns away from me. “Maybe you should go, Leo.”
“I don’t want to go.” I touch her hand, which makes her gasp and turn back to me. “I’m tired of having talks at the front door, waiting for your sister to catch us. I just want to do … this.” I grab her face and lower my lips to hers.
She gasps against my lips and tenses for a second before relaxing into kiss. Tentatively, she kisses me back. I was prepared for her to push me away and slap me. I didn’t expect her to actually kiss me back.
This is good news. This means Francesca is seducible. I might still be able to win this bet.
I kiss her harder while wrapping my arms around her. Francesca leans in, resting her hands gently on my chest. Her hands are right above my heart.
I’m about to lay her onto her back and see how far I can take things when the door swings open …
… and Emilia, in all her heavily pregnant state, is staring at us in shock.
Francesca is the one to pull back right away, her face turning so red, it matches her top. “Emilia? What …”
“Am I doing in your room at one in the morning?” she asks flatly. “I got up to pee, and I heard voices coming from your room. I wanted to make sure you were ok, but instead, I saw … this.” She turns to me. “What are you doing here, Leo?”
No use denying it now. “Kissing Francesca.”
Emilia scoffs. “I can see that. But why? I don’t … What’s going on? Fran?”
Francesca lets out a small squeak when all eyes turn on her. “I’m not sure.”
“Did he force himself on you?”
“I did not,” I state, but Emilia keeps her eyes on her sister.
“Did he?”
Francesca shakes her head no.
Emilia looks lost for words. “Then why?”
“Because he likes me,” she finally says.
Ok, I feel a little shitty for making my bet with Henry. But I’m too in it now. I have to see it through to the end. I’m just not sure how now that we’ve been caught.
“I’m going to get Marco,” is Emilia’s response.
