Carlos only released Alicia's hand after they exited the café—and in that split second, he dug his fingers into her waist with deliberate force.
Alicia's face scrunched in irritation as she shot him a venomous glare. This man had clearly planned this ambush!
Throwing her shoulders back, defiance sparking in her eyes, she stood bathed in golden sunlight that drenched her in a radiant halo. "Hey! Admit you did that on purpose!"
Carlos paused, his brow furrowing slightly as he regarded her with feigned innocence. "Is this an interrogation now?"
His voice carried a glacial edge, his dominating presence making her bravado crumble. She wilted under his glare, nervously kneading her arm.
"N-not exactly," she stammered, puffing her cheeks. "But they were so polite! Your brutal rejection might
