Shadows of the heart

grounds of the Palazzo, at

beautiful, but they did

nts of the previous night, and she

voidable. She had avoided him since the morn

ood by a fountain, his look unreadable. The air surrounding t

s voice low and controlle

nd, but it can be diffi

feeling," he remarked quietly. "Th

seems to be warming up to you," he added. "But I need to know if you're really up to the assign

f his words bearing down on

e asked, hi

ans everything to me.I cannot afford to have someone

lenges than you can imagine," I responded, my voice shaking. "I may not have your

e moved closer, his gaze fixed on mine. "

survival. It's about confronting your wo

thumb wiping it away with unexpected care. "Don't cry," he

I couldn't help but wonder if there was mo

mised, my voice bar

said, step

can't stop thinking about it." Chiara turned aside, unwill

ated, annoyance com

a." I can't stop thinking about

t. Taking a deep breath, she nodded and her heart beat faster in the chest. She wave

. I'm afraid of what this si

ut to gently lift her chin so she could lo

you to understand how I feel. His touch sent shivers down her sp

ndling a spark within her. His fingers were warm against her

softly, her voice shaking

t enough, he said, barely above a whispe

and she immediately responded to his touch. His kiss was primal, intense, and full of all the feelings he'd been holding back. She felt

ainst him. He intensified the kiss, his lips explor

, and bewilderment. But in that moment, all that mattered was the

said softly against her lips.

s of his lips, the way his palm moved across her back, and the heat between them—it was

had spotted Chiara and Marco's blossoming closeness and was determined to break it. As the housekeepe