She didn’t expect it. Her words hadn’t even faded from the air when he stepped forward—sharp, instinctive—caught her face in his hands and kissed her.
It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t apologetic.
It was something else entirely.
Deep. Demanding. Hungry.
As if he’d been holding everything inside for far too long and finally let it break loose. He kissed her like a man who couldn’t keep himself restrained a second longer. Like this was their last chance—and he refused to waste it.
Nicoletta froze.
Only for a heartbeat.
Then her palms pressed against his chest. Not to push him away—just to anchor herself. Her pulse hammered at her temples, her whole body trembling from the inside out. Air suddenly felt scarce, as if the tension between them stole all the oxygen.
When she finally pulled back,
