NC

s with curiosity and disbelief at her beauty. Her long lashes frame

th, cascaded down her back, thoughts of running my hand through it, appeared in my mind, but I quickly pushed those thoughts

d curves-I remembered how easily my arms wrapped around her. The feel of her lingered, and for a mom

was impossible to ignore. Even as she sat there in silence, her hand

et she wasn't acting scared or distressed. I had expected her to plead, or cry out f

plead, or do something?' I fi

d stare. "And why should I?" She rep

thing which made me frustrated as well as enthralled. "Because I

Well, that's what you think. I think you're just a nutcase who

especially not in this type of situation. "You're trying to make me scared, aren't y

eyebrow. "No

out what game she was playing. After a moment, she broke the silence. "So, wh

g her meal, ignoring those around her, I was intrigued, but went my way taking her off my mind, and it worked pretty well. The last thing i needed

oment, her expression cool and unreadable, while I stared at her in amuseme

chuckled slightly, bre

osity at me. "You kidnapped a woman whose name you don't ev

is back-and-forth. "And you're sitting comfortably, threatening the

ticed her smile widening slightly. "I

rk turning into a genuine smile.

er voice steady as she c

are but beautiful. "What a beautiful name. Doe

st, I couldn't decipher it. Seeing her pause, I felt I had touched a sore spot and was about to tell

y and I could see a fleeting sadness in her eyes, whic

dging her answer with a

ession shifting back to one of cool d

ion, but remained silent. "Vincenzo" I replied, star

she was trying to place where she had heard the name befo

cross the world. I have a reputation for being ruthless and cold like ice.

What brings you to Reston?"

ng admiration, and most importantly no fear, just a look of realization. This further

bing. "So, why did the famous Vincenzo Romano kidna

responded, winki

skeptically.

rinned, enjoying the

we're here," He said, avoiding making eye contact with

t, leaving me standing speechless. She raised her brow at me, but I just sighed, gesturing for

d it was best to wait outside. How sensible of him, he deserves a

ith its main branch located in DC. Membership was difficult to obtain,

k our seats. "What would you like to

bonara," she replied without hesitati

y it safe with something less bold. But not her, she seemed familiar with the dishes served here, I was cu

she answered again wi

ld mixture that most people would shy away from, but not this

bonara and two glasses of pineapple and lemon juice. Typically, I would have

she ate with quiet grace, her eyes occasionally flicked up to meet mine, Despite the silenc

sly glancing around the room, and certainly wasn't trying to make small talk to ease the tens

nly, breaking the silence. Her voice was calm,

rrowing slightly as I tried to unders

d instead of someone you just kidnapped," she

mething. "I suppose I do. You're not exactly behaving like som

I find it easier to stay calm in these sit

"But what makes you think you're safe with me? For all you know, I could be plannin

anted to harm me, you would've done it by now. Besides, you do

oo perceptive for my liking. But I couldn't deny that she was right. The

e" I said after a moment, try

owing in thought. "Then it's a game you're

rom widening at her boldne