“Then don’t.” She leaned into his hand, eyes closing under his touch.
He pulled her toward him, lips brushing hers—just barely—but it was enough to make her breath catch.
She didn’t hesitate.
She kissed him like a secret, like a promise. Like something that had been waiting too long to be spoken aloud.
And for a few suspended seconds, nothing else existed.
Her hands slid into his hair. His arms tightened around her, dragging her closer, needing more—
Then pain lanced through his side, sharp and sudden.
He gasped, body locking up like the air had been knocked out of him.
Lia pulled back instantly, breath shaky. “Dante—”
“I’m fine,” he ground out, though his forehead had dropped to her shoulder, jaw clenched so hard it ached.
Her hand came to his cheek, cool and steady. “You’re not
