Page 133 of Sinful Lies

Jade

“It’s the third time I’ve saved your life, Miss Whitenhouse. Starting to think you’ve got a death wish,” Angelo drawled, handing me the tea like a peace offering.

The first time was years ago, pulling me out of jail.

The second was in the woods.

And now, tonight.

I rolled my eyes, wrapping my fingers around the cup just to steady the tremor in my hands. The steam curled against my skin, but it was the burn in my throat that anchored me.

“Did it ever cross your mind thatmaybeI didn’t want to be saved, Lazzio?”

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he dropped onto the bed, sprawling like a king reclaiming his throne. His bare chest caught the low light, infuriatingly perfect.

“Oh, I’ve thought about it,” he said. “But then it hits me—only you could tear me to pieces like this. One minute, I’m sure I’ve lost you for good. The next, you’re kissing me like I’m the only thing keeping you alive. Then you vanish, leaving me with this fucking hole, wondering if this is the time you’ll never come back.”

His gaze locked on mine.

“Tell me, Miss Whitenhouse—do you enjoy seeing how far you can push me? Watching me claw at the edge of my sanity just to keep you next to me?”

I set the cup down carefully, the soft clink of porcelain against wood the only sound between us.

Standing, I let the silence stretch as I walked to the bed, feeling his stare burn into my skin.

“Complaining, Lazzio?”

“Not even a little. In fact…I’m starting to think you might kill me, Jade. And you know what?”

I tilted my head.

“I’d let you.”

My heart sank.

If only he knew.

“Don’t start with the sweet talk. For all you know, I might want your head on a stick—for every damn headache you’ve ever given me.”

“Bet you do.”

The corner of my mouth twitched despite myself. Damn it.

I crawled onto the bed.

His hands found my hips when I straddled him, his grip rough.

His breath warmed my skin as I brushed my fingers along his jaw, the stubble rough under my touch.

I let my lips hover over his. “Thanks. For tonight.”

“Anything for you,amore.”

Before I could process the words, his hand was at the back of my neck, pulling me in, his lips crashing against mine.

Oh, for the love of?—

I grabbed his face, deepening the kiss, swallowing any trace of doubt or reason.

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