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‘Both’

Cristiano sat back in his chair ‘Stop fighting it, bella,’ he said, his tone turning lazy ‘It would be far more pleasant for both of us if you did’

‘Stop fighting it? Or you?’

‘Both’

They stared at each other, a stand-off, and one that made fireworks fizz in Laurel’s leaaze And definitely not just about the clothes But, instead of feeling outraged and objectified as she knew she should, Laurel felt…excited

Excited to know the heat siht be no more than a convenience, the expedient option, but he still wanted her And, Bavasso’s odious groping aside, Laurel had precious little experience with being wanted

So as she fighting it? Her body battled with her brain, with both sense and self-preservation The look stretched and lengthened between theht to hold onto all the reasons why she should not engage in some temporary, tasteless affair with Cristiano Ferrero

Because this was his world, not hers, and she was already out of her depth Because she had enough experience of people who loved and then left you, starting with her own parents—as well as Cristiano’s father, Lorenzo She didn’t need another reminder Because she was too innocent, too naïve, and too darn hopeful to survive the kind of arrange

Because he was dangerous, as dangerous as holding a firework in your hand and letting yourself befor it to blow up in your face To ruin your life

Laurel dragged her gaze away fro, steady one ‘I want to ask about my mother,’ she said when she trusted her voice to sound nor off in the strangest of places Low in her belly Between her thighs

‘Yourtone Already she knew to suspect it

‘Yes If Rico Bavasso is as unpleasant as you say, then I’m worried for her’