Emiliano approached with cautious steps, his gaze intense. He hadn’t changed from our earlier walk, still dressed in the same shirt, though now his jacket was gone, and his shirt was unbuttoned slightly, revealing a hint of his muscular chest.

I forced my eyes away, inhaling an uneven breath. “I’d rather be alone. Thank you,” I muttered.

He responded with a soft chuckle. “And what if I said I needed company?”

I felt a flicker of annoyance. “Company for what? ...