Tonight, even the sea lay calm, the only sound the soft patter of rain on the ground.After a long pause, Francesco's low, hoarse voice broke the silence. "It's late. Get some rest.""Mm."Adriana climbed the stairs, her mind a battlefield. The serpent's voice coiled inside her, tempting her to turn back, to descend again. One word from him—one glance—and he'd see the longing she was fighting to hold back.Luckily… he didn't say a thing.She fell into the bed, face pressed into the sheets, and released the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.Francesco sat unmoving, eyes tracking the gentle sway of her figure as she climbed the stairs. If she had looked back just once, she would have seen the storm in his gaze—burning, unrestrained.Luckily… she didn't turn around.He sank back onto the sofa, his body easing into the cushions, the tautness in his frame slowly giving way.Outside, the wind and rain began to stir, the waves now pounding against the cliffs, keeping the
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