The Forced Bride

e looked differ

olished brass. The scent of strong coffee and blooming jasmine drifted through the

na hadn

silver in his gaze, the heat of his breath against her ear

ne sent a tremo

tand. "Signora Rossi," she murmured, eyes downcast.

e at the title

elt like ir

ded. "Tell him

hen added softly, "He

him in t

ood near the table, reading the newspaper, a cup of espresso untouched beside him. The scene was domes

he said witho

"I didn't realize my new h

eeting her gaze. "In my world,

war?" she a

a smirk.

pastries, fruit, and imported cheeses-luxury arranged w

them, the act surprisingly.

not h

patient but edged

pulse fluttering beneath her calm. "Y

murmured, taki

le war neither of

the table. "You're b

said, staring into he

on the table. "Trapped peo

hed. "Maybe I'

and unexpectedly warm. "Perhaps.

, thick and unspoken. For the briefest m

the spell. "Come," he said. "Ther

fragment of the Rossi empire: grand halls lined with anci

doors leading to the gardens. Sunlight stre

ushed the

ivory. A marble fountain trickled softly, surrounded by olive trees that

didn't think a man like you

ors need pea

him. "Do you

e fountain. "Sometimes. When

in his voice, something

t why you wanted me here? To see t

brought you here because I wanted you to

if I

nd you why peop

chilled her. But inste

ir?" she whispered. "Or are y

ce overwhelming. "Careful, bella

y in danger

magnetic, inevitable. The air grew heavier. He reached out, traci

t, she thought h

s flaring as if catching a scent. His eyes d

ist

running a hand through

ha

ow

't cruel-it w

grow shallow. And then she saw it-the faint shimmer of v

ning to you?"

o see," he said thr

e. "It's the c

right and inhum

fully-the beast beneath the m

nning, she steppe

it," she murmured

g quickened.

fingers trembling as they brushed the side of his jaw. H

s grip trembled. His eyes, now flickerin

rasped. "The more you see

iding," she

his expression faltered, the way his thumb brus

g dangerously close to hers. "Y

ispered, but the lie wa

ed against hers, a low growl rumbling deep in his ches

ought he'd close the

e through th

ant, female

nstantly, the softness gone from his eyes. "S

that?" sh

dy moving-swift, silent, a sha

ered. The scream echoed

, but something at the edge of the fou

reaching in

around a chain-deli

her's n

ied with he

caught in

air had taken, the rose petals d

s necklace doing her

istair Rossi ha