Page 221 of Sinful Lies

Yeah, that was uncharted territory.

“Lucky for you, I’ve got enough practice for the both of us.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound shaky, caught somewhere between nervous and utterly charmed.

My heart swelled, ridiculous and euphoric, as his hand settled on my waist, warm and steady. I looped my arms around his neck, trying to ignore the way my pulse seemed to echo in my ears.

“How did you recognize me?” I asked.

I’d tied my hair in a bun, and the mask hid half my face—surely enough to make me unrecognizable in this sea of glamour.

“I’d recognize you anywhere, Jade,” he said softly, the words like a vow. “Even in a sea of souls, mine would find yours. Always. Unfailingly. As if drawn by fate itself.”

Always.

“Even in hell?”

The corner of his lips curled, a whisper of a smile. “Especially in hell,amore. Because finding you there would make it feel like heaven.”

I pressed my face against his chest, letting the steady thump of his heart remind me I wasn’t dreaming. His hand trailed lightly down my back, sending little sparks through me. The songLove in Portofinoby Andrea Bocelli wrapped around us.

And then, in that perfect, quiet moment, I felt his breath on my ear.

“Ti amo, Jade.”

God. His Italian? It should be illegal to sound that good. It went straight through me, hitting me like an electric jolt. I swear, if I hadn’t been so damn close to him, my knees would’ve given out.

There was something about the way he’d said it that just… wrecked me.

He could probably tell too. He always could.

I almost cried right then. Something in me was just so overwhelmed by him, by the night, by everything—like thiswhole thing was too beautiful, too perfect, too damn real to believe.

“I think you’re making me fall harder than I already have,” I muttered against his chest.

He let out a soft chuckle, leaning back just enough to look at me. “Good. Because I’ve got another surprise for you.”

I didn’t even need to ask. I followed him willingly, heart thumping in my chest.

Funny how love could make you feel both silly and speechless.

But honestly, if this was what being in love felt like, I was all in.

We reached the elevator, and as he hit the button for the rooftop, I realized we had about five minutes. Perfect timing.

Without thinking, I spun to face him, grabbed his face, and kissed him hard. My hands buried themselves in his hair, his grip pulling me in closer, fingertips digging into my ass.

“Have I told you how fucking stunning you look?” he whispered, lips still brushing mine.

I pulled away slightly. “Nope, you didn’t. Not very gentlemanly of you, Lazzio.”

His eyes glinted with mischief as he leaned in again, lips pressing to mine with a hunger that made my pulse race. His tongue swept across mine, teasing, making it impossible to think of anything else.

I pulled back, breathless.

“Thank you, for Lake Kendrick.”

He smiled softly. “You’re welcome. Now you have the chance to create something beautiful in a place where so much of your pain once lived.”

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