Chapter 28: The Arch-Enemy sensations

With every soft knock on the door, Maria's heart rate increased. She couldn't tell what exactly was making her nervous about confronting Vincenzo. Perhaps, it had something to do with the softness and vulnerability in his gaze. She tried to steady her breath by doing a little breathing exercise.

Feeling more confident in herself, she pushed the door open. Suddenly, she felt dizzy. God was very unfair. No man on earth had the right to look this good. She wanted to run her hands around his perfect hair tied into a man bun. She thought maybe if she ruffled it a bit, he wouldn't look so perfect.

They stood speechless, staring at each other. Each is wondering what the other was thinking. Vincenzo cleared his throat, finally breaking the silence.

"Maria Caruso," he said, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Vincenzo Santoro, what are you doing in the lady's restroom?" She asked to hope to get a semblance of control back.

"Looking for you," he said in a way that seemed like she should have known.

Maria clenched her fist, hoping it would stop the loud beating of her heart. It was a miracle Vincenzo could not hear it.

"Why? I don't think we have any business at the moment" He didn't reply immediately; somewhat, he leaned on the wall and placed his hands on his pant pockets. That movement alone ignited an inferno inside Maria.

"You look different tonight," he finally said, altogether avoiding her question. However, Maria scarcely noticed that as she was more focused on why he sounded like he wasn't affected by her looks.

Everyone that laid eyes on her tonight had been left tongue-tied. It was pathetic of her, but she wanted him to be too. Indeed she was not the only one affected by his looks.

"Very different," he emphasized when she didn't reply. He knew Maria liked to play games, so he came up with one of his. He was desperate to see if she cared about his opinion. He wanted to know what Maria thought of him.

"Vincenzo," she purposely began in a voice that screamed. bored,'

"the only reason you should be talking to me is if you've decided to release my brother. Any other reason will be you wasting both of our time."

"What's a bigger waste of time than looking this damn good all for Roy Hudson" she looked sharply at him. Was that a hint of envy she had just heard in his voice?

So he did think she looked good. At least, it answered her thoughts. But she would never give Vincenzo the satisfaction of knowing that she wanted him not to be aloof from her. Her pride couldn't stand him having that sort of knowledge.

"And what is wrong with Roy Hudson?" She asked, indulging him.

"The question should be what isn't? I didn't take you for the kind of woman who preferred pathetic weaklings to real men," he said, his gaze sweeping every inch of her body and resting on her breasts.

Maria took a sharp intake of breath, and Vincenzo noticed. Good, he had her exactly where he wanted.

"let me guess, and you're the real man?" She asked and suddenly burst into laughter.

Vincenzo was taken aback. He had underestimated her ability to make him feel stupid. "Be careful how you talk about a man who, rumor has it, would be pulling out of your company.

If I were you, I would be more polite," she said after calming down. It was Vincenzo's turn to laugh now. Maria had never heard him laugh. This was more mocking than genuine, but it felt good to listen to him chuckle.

"Darling, I know you don't think I got to the level I am today by bending over for the likes of Roy. Common, you're a smart woman," he said.

"Exactly. I am a smart woman. That is why I can tell the real men," she paused and copied the exact way he had ran his eyes over her. "from whatever you are," she finalized and tried to walk away when Vincenzo drew her back and pinned her back against the wall.

"You prickly little thing. You do enjoy wounding a man's pride, don't you?" he asked, his voice coming out random and uneven. His hot breath on her skin and his proximity to her body caused goosebumps on her skin.

"What do you think you're doing?" She managed to say and tried pushing him away.

"Wondering why after all these years, you're still so mean to me."

"Maybe you're not a good person. If I've never liked you, don't you think you are the problem?" She said, hoping her insults would be enough for him to release her. She was afraid of what her body was capable of doing if he didn't let go of her soon.

"But that's the thing, Maria, and I don't think you hate me. I bet you even secretly crave me," he whispered into her ears, causing her to shiver.

"You see how your body just responded to mere words? I bet Roy doesn't make you feel this way," he continued. His voice had grown from menacing to this low, seductive rumble, making Maria hot and bothered.

"Yet, It is Roy I am on a date with and not you. Do you know why this is?" She asked and waited for his reply. He shook his head, and she smiled.

This time around, it was her turn to whisper. Raising her legs, she brought her lips to his ears and said. "cus he's much more a man than you'll ever be" she pushed back, proud of herself for not breaking.

Regardless of how tempted she had been to lose herself to him, she successfully overcame lust. Surely, Vincenzo's bruised ego would not want more bruises, and he'll stop whatever he was trying to do.

"I don't believe that you think, and you know why? You've stopped trying to move away from me" this caused Maria to look down for confirmation quickly.

Honestly, she didn't know how but she had suddenly stopped trying to move.

"Maybe I just saw the fruitlessness of it. I'd rather save my energy for Roy than waste it all trying to get away from you" she tried to save face, but Vincenzo was not convinced.

"I don't believe that," he said, leaning closer. Maria froze. Surely he wasn't going to do what she thought he would. She wondered how they had gotten in this position in the first place.

They were supposed to be mortal enemies. He had her brother bound and tortured in his custody. She hated his family with every bit of her.

She hated him too. Yet she found herself wanting to press his lips hurriedly on hers. She didn't understand this conflicting feeling. She didn't even want to understand it. At the moment, all she wanted was to taste those lips that seemed always to have words for her.

Vincenzo's head drew closer, and he watched her closely, wondering if she would push him away. He thought he had her figure, but he was beginning to learn that Maria was indeed the biggest enigma he had ever encountered. Not even his prototype designs were as complicated. He wondered how she would react if he did kiss her.

Would she slap him? Scream? Or throw in a few punches. She was likely to do all three. Still, the need to taste the lips of the woman that annoyed him beyond words could explain the trumped potential consequence.

He made up his mind and went for the lips, but just before he touched hers, they were interrupted by the voice of chattering females coming their way. She pushed him away hard and steadied herself. She almost could not believe herself.

Just moments ago, she had been ready to risk everything for a kiss. A kiss from Vincenzo especially. She couldn't bear a single second more in his presence, so she walked away.

Vincenzo watched her leave and followed suit shortly after. He ignored the curious stares from the group of young ladies and kept on walking. His mind was rioting hard. He didn't mean to complicate things this way.

He had left his house tonight with Maria, the furthest thing in his mind. However, her entrance looking drop-dead gorgeous and in the arms of Roy, had shifted something in him. He diverted into the men's room, where he took time to get himself together.

He knew deep down he was playing with fire that would burn him to ashes, but Maria was a temptation like no other. She was beautiful, but she knew how to put him in his place with her venom for words.

Suddenly he was grateful for the interruption. He knew nothing would have remained the same if he had kissed her.

If he was going to get to the root of her absolute disdain for him and his family, he needed to be clear-headed. He thought, "Surely, my cup runneth over."