when picking out a new instructor. Tolerating that awful, condescending woman had been part of my prolonged punishment, but it didn't deter my will to learn Italian. Armed with a sense of silent defiance, I exerted more effort than ever before. It was my way of demonstrating my determination wouldn't be broken so easily.
“Why did you cut your hair, cara?” Alessandro's soft voice disrupted my thoughts.
I took in a deep breath, fighting back the panic that raced up my throat as he kept caressing the silky strands. “I wanted to try something new, but I wasn't very happy with the result.”
“That's strange,” he murmured.
“Why?” I choked out.
“Because in your dream you were begging me not to make you cut it and then you started crying.”
I shuddered and knew he could feel it. Clearing my throat, I stiffened my limbs to keep them from trembling. “It was just a nightmare,” I said in a matter-of-fact tone. “It never really happened.”
His fingers closed around my chin and he fixed me with his stare. “Regardless…Why blame me if it's not my fault?”
I gazed into his deep dark eyes for a few moments. “Perhaps because it's easier to blame you for everything,” I muttered, trying to make it sound like a joke. “It always has been.”
He smiled, and a flicker of light sparked in his eyes. “You are very confusing, cara.” His lips were mere inches away from mine and then he leaned in closer...and closer. He is going to kiss you, Olivia.
“I can't help it,” I breathed softly, disrupting the moment.
He paused and expelled a deep breath. “I'm starting to realize that you can't. As a matter of fact, I'm realizing a lot of things.”
I backed away from him, pretending his comment didn't faze me in the least. “I am going to get dressed and I'll meet you downstairs in a while.”
“Still so stubborn?” Alessandro retorted, coming closer again. “You could have your things brought here. It would make everything so much easier, don't you think?”
He caressed my cheek, and I faked a soft grin, hoping I appeared calm. “I don't think that's a good idea.”
A knowing smirk appeared on Alessandro's face, and he leaned even closer, pretending to be completely oblivious to my open show of discomfort. “On the contrary, I think it's an excellent idea. If your things were here, you wouldn't have an excuse to run away from me every morning.”
His fingers stroked my hair, then lowered down my neck and arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake.
“I'm not running away,” I said in a small voice, trying to distract him without success.
His hand closed around my hip, and I tensed, gasping in surprise. Alessandro smiled like he was entertained by my reaction.
“If you say so, cara,” he murmured.
We stayed in that position for a short while longer. He stared at me the entire time with that same undivided interest, almost as though fascinated by my very presence. Then, he slowly brought his parted lips to mine, once again about to kiss me....
“Alessandro,” I called his name, hoping to distract him.
“Hush,” he murmured against my mouth, his fingers grazing my skin. “Just relax. I will not do anything you don't want me to.” His heated eyes bored into mine, and I felt his growing erection against my upper leg. I swallowed and he noticed. “Don't worry about it, cara. You know I couldn't do anything even if I wanted to,” he reassured me, and leaned his lips against mine. “Right now, all I want is a kiss. The rest of it will come later.”
His lips parted mine and his hot breath penetrated my mouth. I tried to endure it, but then he deepened the kiss with his tongue and I instinctively pushed him away, retreating to the far end of the bed. His eyes sprang to mine. There was a realization building in those dark, murky depths, but he didn't come closer again. Instead, he kept his distance.
“I'm not ready for this,” I offered a silent explanation.
He snickered like I had said something ironic. “I think our roles got reversed somewhere along the way, cara. I had the accident and forgot about our marriage. Yet you seem to be the one who is confused and in need of adjustment. Strange, isn't it?”
My entire body tensed. I was desperate to find a justification, but there was nothing I could say in my defense. No matter how much I hid my animosity toward Alessandro and pretended I was the loving