Burning secrets

Chapter 2 Kat POV

His tall frame taking all the space in the hallway. His frame was more mature, the lines around his eyes made him look more dangerous. His gaze focused on me, blue oceans narrowing on my every move, darkening with every step he took. I was petrified in my place, my smile frozen in my face, looking more like a grin than a smile.

“Hi Kat.” My brother talked first, forcing me to move. I tried with all my might to focus on him instead of the man behind him.

“Tony.” I smiled, trying to recompose my face. Walked over and hugged him, he pulled me up and swirl me around like a kid.

“Put me down!” I laughed “I’m not a kid anymore!” my eyes met with Enzo’s for a second, he raised an eyebrow, his face darkening for a second with an emotion I wasn’t able to understand. Tony finally put me down.

“I’ve missed you Kat, talking over the phone is not the same as having you here lazing around all day.” He teased me, he knew I was never lazy.

I stuck my tongue out to him, both laughing. I took a deep breath before turning to Enzo and greet him.

“Enzo.” I was too coward to meet his gaze, so I stared at the floor instead.

“Well, kitten... don’t I deserve a hug after five years?” My head snapped up before my brain could even veto the movement, the breath hitching hard in my throat. He’s kidding, right?

But the cold, predatory amusement in his eyes told me he wasn’t.

He closed the distance between us with a slow, deliberate stride —every inch of him radiating that dangerous, coiled confidence I had spent half a decade trying to forget. Before I could take a single step back, a warm, heavy hand gripped my waist, pulling me hard against his chest without a shred of permission.

The familiar scent of him —smoke, cedar, and that intoxicating, impossible-to-resist musk— flooded my senses all at once. It wrapped around my thoughts like a chokehold, spinning my mind into a dizzy, terrifying freefall where my pulse hammered a frantic rhythm directly against his own.

“We’ve missed you” he whispered in my ear, his hot gasp sending electric sparks down my spine.

“I know.” I muttered pulling away. I needed space between us in order to think.

“What you say if I prepare dinner today in your honor Kat?” I turn to look at my brother, thankful for the distraction offered.

“That would be awful because you cook like your taste buds got burned.” I laughed as we walked towards the kitchen. He knew I was teasing, he cooked amazing -advantages of Italian family. And he knew I loved everything he cooked.

“Even lasagna?” my smile got wider.

“That one is edible at least. I think it would be the safest option.”

“Someone is begging to get a big plate full of ‘niente’.” He said over his shoulder.

I laughed and took a seat next to my father, holding his hand.

We chatted while Tony got busy on the kitchen, peeking his head to comment on a topic or ask a question. Enzo sat on the armchair in front of us, talking only when spoken to, mostly business-related questions. His eyes looked on me the entire time, only moving them when answering to my father.

The dinner follows its course, everyone chatting laughing and eating. I was the only one feeling like a mess, a knot in my insides makes me aware of his stare and the fear in my veins made me aware of every car passing by outside. I’m not able to taste the food. I feel about to throw up.

After dinner I excuse myself and walk out to the terrace, I need to calm down if I don’t want them to see through my façade.

I regret my decision as soon as I step outside and see a dark figure leaning against the trail looking out. I want to retreat but something keeps me in my place.

“Mouse got your tongue kitten?” His voice, low and rough grasp in my insides making me tremble.

“Stop calling me kitten.” It was his way of making fun of my name. He turned to look at me “I’m not a kid anymore.” A crocked side smile appearing on his face, somehow, making him look even more dangerous.

“I can see that kitten” he says, ignoring my demand. “You’re definitely not a kid anymore.” He closes the space between us in one decided stride, caging me against the wall. he lowers his head until our eyes meet “what a nerve you have in coming back.”

My heart stops. I must be hallucinating. My head is spinning, clouded by his presence.

“Enzo…” I want to sound angry, but my voice is rough, dry, giving my true emotions away “please.” I’m not even sure what I’m begging for.

“Talk to me kitten, use your words.” His gaze met mine, fire burning in them, consuming the air around us, having me gasping for air. I open my mouth to talk but nothing came out. I was at his mercy. He leaned closer, his respiration brushing my lips. Making me part them.

His thumb drags across my bottom lip, parting it further. He takes another step closer, readjusting. His mouth hovers over mine, not quite touching. The restraint cost him – I can feel it in the tremor running through his frame, the way his breathing has gone uneven.

“Enzo!” Tony shouts from somewhere inside the house. That make me come back to my senses. I push him away from me and enter the house, running upstairs to my room before I change my mind. I enter running and shut the door behind me. My heart is hammering against my ears, I’m grasping for ear. f**k. It was a mistake to comeback.