Page 84 of When She Tempts (The Fallen)
I spiral down memory lane, trying to dig up any evidence that I’m not absolutely hideous. Guys have flirted with me before, although not often. I always assumed people stayed away from me because Dem can be extremely intimidating when he wants to, but what if that’s not it at all? What if the problem is with me?
God, I feel stupid.
I swim to the edge of the pool and climb out as quickly as I can, my confidence shredded into pieces. If Giorgio says something about this, I think I might cry. I can’t get into the damn robe fast enough, and I don’t even bother pulling the bikini back on. It drips in my hand, leaving a wet trail on the ground as I hurry inside.
What I need is a shower and another dinner taken in my room. No way I’m sitting down with everyone tonight.
I fly upstairs, scaling the steps two at a time. Thankfully, no one is around to see me. I don’t know how I’d explain to Allegra why I look like I didn’t even bother patting myself down with a towel. I slip inside my bedroom and shut the door behind me.
My gaze drops to my feet just in time to see a drop of water roll down my calf.
Suddenly, I feel like crying.
It’s one thing to have the courage to go after what I want and another to accept humiliation after humiliation in the process. How much more can I take?
No, I’m not going to cry over him. I sniff and tip my chin up, forcing the tears back. So what if he just walked away? If he thinks I’m ugly? That’s one man’s opinion, and I—
A palm closes over my mouth.
My eyes blow wide. “Ungh!”
Before I can remember what I’m supposed to do in this situation from my lessons, soft lips press against my ear. “I warned you, Martina.”
Giorgio. My body sags with relief.
But the feeling is short-lived, because the next thing I hear is the door clicking shut and the lock sliding into place.
CHAPTER21
MARTINA
He lowershis palm away from my mouth but keeps his other wrapped around my waist.
Excitement bleeds into my residual fear. “Why did you lock the door?”
“Because if anyone walks in on what I’m about to do to you, they won’t be walking out alive.”
My heart is in free-fall inside my chest. “Wha—”
“I’m going to teach you a lesson,” he growls against my ear. “Did you think you’d get away with that scene by the pool without any punishment? Anyone could have seen you.”
The dark possessiveness that slips into his tone makes the hairs on my nape stand. “No one was around.” I swallow. “No one, except you.”
He grips my shoulders, spins me around, and presses my back against the door. I get my first glimpse of his face since he grabbed me, and it sends a strange cocktail of fire and ice through my veins. His eyes are glazed over with heat and anger and something that looks completely out of control.
I gasp when he removes one hand from my shoulder and wraps it around my neck. It’s not firm, but the warning is clear. He leans in close enough for his breath to fan against my skin. “Are you religious?”
What?
He gives me no time to be confused when he tightens his hold on my neck.
“Agnostic,” I choke out.
“You might want to start believing in God, so you can pray no one saw you. I’d hate for Tommaso or Polo to lose an eye.”
My mouth parts in shock as the situation finally sinks in.
He’sfurious.
