ADRIANI bit back a smile as I worked the buttons of my vest. For a moment, I half expected resistance, fear, something that would remind me of Serena, but Valentina wasn’t reacting the way I’d braced for. Irritation flickered in my chest as my fingers fumbled with the last button, but her hand came up to brush mine aside. Calmly, almost shyly, she finished the task herself, letting her slender fingers undoing what I couldn’t. I let the vest slip onto the bench behind me.Valentina exhaled, a small nervous sound, then blurted softly, “You look really strong.”Her hand hovered in the air, uncertain, as if she wanted to touch me but didn’t know if she could. I caught her wrist and guided her palm against my arm, tightening my bicep beneath her fingers. Her laugh bubbled out, light and surprised, and for the first time that night, I felt my own lips twitch toward a smile.She tilted her face up to me, and then, as quickly, looked away. I didn’t give her a chance to retreat further. Closi
Last Updated : 2026-01-28 Read more