“I didn’t—” My voice shook, my protest dying halfway. I swallowed hard. “Luca, I didn’t encourage him. I swear. You were watching… you saw me say no.”

He leaned in, his face inches from mine now. I could feel his breath against my cheek, warm and heavy. His eyes dipped briefly to my lips before rising back to my eyes, and my knees went weak.

“I don’t want to see another man near you like that again,” he said, his voice low and rough, each word heavy with command. “You ...