Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Ysabel knew she should just let those words go. This was all new to both of them, after all. But—-
"Can I just say something?"
"No."
The swiftness in which Massimo had replied to this made her want to smile and strangle him at the same time—-which was a good thing in a way, since this also meant her fear of him was also gradually fading.
"Another reason why our marriage might not work is if you keep comparing me to Ynez."
"Are you forbidding me to talk about your sister?"
"How would you feel if I compared you to my ex?"
"You do not have an ex," he pointed out coolly.
How did he know that, too, dammit?
"But I understand your point—-"
Ynez had always made it seem Massimo was unreasonable when they had their fights, and so this unexpected admission had Ysabel's head jerking up in surprise.
"And I apologize for being insensitive." His brows pushed together in a frown when he saw her squirm at his words. "What is it?"
"N-Nothing."
Massimo's lips tightened in impatience. "Must I warn you once more about the consequences of lying to me?"
"It's just..." Ysabel could feel her cheeks turning redder as his words forced her to blurt out the truth. "I remembered Ynez stating in an interview that you had the most fantastic way of apologizing."
"Is that so?" Massimo should have expected this, but it was still difficult to keep himself from feeling disillusioned.
"But please don't think I'm implying anything."
And yet you are, Massimo thought coldly. "Have no worries, signorina. Before the end of this day, new credit cards will be issued in your name—-" He saw her eyes widen in surprise, and Massimo's lip curled. "Were you hoping for something else?" Surely she did not expect full access to his bank accounts as well? Did she think he was that big of an idiot?
"No, of course not—-"
"Don't lie," Massimo snapped.
"I'm not lying! I truly wasn't expecting you to talk about credit cards, okay?"
He stared at her, perplexed and frustrated by the way his instincts were absolutely certain that she was telling him the truth—-but not the whole of it. If she truly did not expect him to apologize with personal greed in mind, then how else did she think he would...
Ah.
Ysabel's cheeks burned even hotter when Massimo's dark gaze suddenly glinted with infernal heat.
There was a time, just that one time, that Massimo had looked at her this very way.
But ever since he and her sister started dating, Ysabel had never allowed herself to think of it again.
Or at least not until...now.
A smirk slowly curved over his lips, and this, too, reminded her of that night. The sight of it was even more infuriating this time, and before Ysabel realized what she was doing—-
Fuck you!
Massimo was more stunned than offended when Ysabel suddenly flipped him the bird. For one second there...for one painful second, her response was an agonizing reminder of the Ynez that he had first met and imagined himself in love with.
But since that side of Ynez had never materialized again after that night, and he had since been ordered to marry another woman—-
I'm sorry, Ynez.
It was truly time for him to bury the other woman in his past, and from this moment forward—-
Ysabel was starting to panic the longer Massimo stared at her. I can't believe I flipped him off again. Five years ago, he hadn't the chance to retaliate since he was too busy having sex with another woman. But now?
The moment he straightened, Ysabel immediately screamed as she tried to escape.
"Help!"
But this only had Massimo chuckling, and the sound - albeit even more infuriating than his smirk - also had a noticeably sizzling effect on her flesh.
Oh no.
She wasn't able to get away at all, with Massimo succeeding in imprisoning her against the wall, and his powerfully virile form pressing against her body.
"W-What do you think you're doing?" Ysabel intended to sound tough as she asked this, but her voice came out shamelessly breathless instead. Sei sensa speranze, Ysa! You're hopeless!
Dark eyes glinted down on her, and Ysabel's heart began to pound.
"There's nothing for you to be worried of, signorina. All I wish to do is...apologize."
Yeah right, Ysabel wished she could snarl out. But since that would only be a waste of time, Ysabel tried taking Massimo by surprise instead as she made a sudden move to shove him away. 'Tried' being the operative word, since Massimo's reflexes were far too swift, and the plan completely backfired as she found herself pinned against the wall, her wrists bound over her head.
Questo non va bene! This is not good!
"Let me—-mmph!" Ysabel couldn't say anything else, her brain completely shutting down as Massimo's warm mouth covered hers.
Is this for real?
His tongue stroked past her lips, and fire blazed through her blood.
Real, she realized dazedly. Massimo was truly kissing her, and in the manner that she had forbidden herself to ever dream of.