Chapter 79 Avoiding Him
Rose.
It feels like a lifetime, but in reality, it's only been a few seconds, and I can barely breathe. Because Enzo is kissing me. My eyes are wide, and panic is coursing through my veins.
Panic and something else. He's so close, his eyes are flickering. I always knew he was handsome, but now the sight of him hits me like a blow to the chest, sending warmth through me.
"Rose," he says against my lips. "Kiss me back."
The words are a request. And they practically bring me back to the present. The powerful pressure of his hand on my face feels like fire in my blood, cutting lower and lower, all the way to the pool of moisture between my legs. My lips part, and that's all he needs.
Enzo kisses me like he's hungry. I've been kissed before, but never like this. He kisses me like I'm the oxygen he needs to survive, every movement of his lips burning my heart. I grab his shoulders, afraid to let go. Because if I do, if I let go, I'll fall. And I'm not sure I can come back.
I grab his hair, pulling him even closer, pulling his mouth to mine, and pushing my tongue between his lips. Enzo hisses softly before lifting me so I can wrap my legs around his hips. He moves until he's pinning me against the wall. Need washes over me in thick waves. I moan softly into his lips.
I feel his hard erection between my thighs. I can't help but press against him, desperate for friction.
"Fuck," Enzo groans, tearing his mouth away from mine.
I blink at him. My heart is still racing, and I don't know how to stop it. We both hold our breath. Enzo's jaw tenses as he looks at me. He exhales quietly and leans down, pressing his forehead to mine.
"It was a good idea to wear this dress, princess," he whispers. "A really good idea."
I slide off his body, pressing my back against the wall because my legs feel like jelly. It's actually funny that a simple kiss made me feel this way. He barely even touched me.
My cheeks are hot, and my body feels like fire is coursing through it. Enzo's expression is slightly pained as he watches me. He runs a hand through his hair, making the tawny strands stick up.
"I think we've done all we can when it comes to traditional kissing," he finally says.
"An A+," I reply quietly, nodding, unable to take my eyes off him.
A muscle twitches in his jaw, and he finally looks away.
"Goodnight, Rose."
Before I can blink, he's out the door. Finally, I let myself slide to the ground. I clutch my head and groan softly.
What the hell did I just do? But it made my birthday very special.
The next day, I skipped breakfast. I stayed in bed until I was sure Enzo had left the house. I was too upset to face him. By midday, my stomach was growling, and I decided I wasn't humiliated enough to starve.
Besides, he should have left by now. I got dressed and went down to the kitchen. As soon as I turned into the hallway, I found myself in the path of two women.
Isabella's blue eyes stared at me, but it wasn't her that made me freeze. Denise Russo had dark brown hair and brown eyes. She couldn't be more than forty.
But now she looks much older, with wrinkles on her face and lines around her mouth and eyes. She looks ill. But when her eyes meet mine, there's no mistaking the anger.
I haven't seen her since I moved here. When I asked Jason, he said she didn't like leaving her room. I didn't realize it was because she was sick. Isabella is holding her hand. She's even unsteady on her feet.
Oh my God. What's wrong with her?
"It's a lovely trinket, Rose," Isabella says, her eyes fixed on the diamond on my fingers.
My instinct is to hide my hand behind my back. This is wrong. I didn't do anything wrong.
Denise's brown eyes also move to the diamond, and I watch her study it for a few seconds. When she looks back at me, her gaze deepens with anger.
She has every right to be angry. Roman killed her husband. But that's Cosa Nostra. She must know I didn't control this. Just as she didn't control it. She's currently the oldest member of this family, and the least I can do is show her some respect.
"Mrs. Russo," I say softly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
She laughs. He's fragile and cold.
"Do you even understand the significance of the ring on your finger?" she asks. Her voice is surprisingly strong. "That ring has been in our family for generations. It belongs to the firstborn Russo. The next in line will be the Don."
I raise an eyebrow. "Isn't Enzo the firstborn?"
Unless there's another son I have no idea about. Knowing this family, it's entirely possible.
"No," Denise replies bitterly. "I just wanted to point out that neither you nor Enzo deserves to be in this situation. That ring should have belonged to Isabella's mother or me. It's a shame it's on the finger of someone like you."
Well, that's harsh.
"You don't even know me, Denise," I say calmly.
"I don't need this," she declares. Then she looks at Isabella next to her. "Come on, Isa. I'm tired of this company."
Isabella gives me an irritated look, as if I'm somehow to blame. Putting an arm around Denise's shoulders, she leads the woman away.
As for initial interactions, every interaction with almost every member of this family was terrifying. I think the only pleasant encounter I had was with Enzo. And that was only because I didn't know who he was at first.