Chapter 222

• Antonio slowly withdrew from the kiss, his eyes searching Martina's face for any sign of regret or rejection. Her eyes were still closed, her breath coming in soft, quick bursts, and for a fleeting moment, he feared he had pushed too far, too fast. He knew he had to be careful, to tread lightly. If Martina began to question his motives or see through the facade he had carefully constructed, everything could fall apart.
• He forced himself to smile apologetically, even though inside, he felt a surge of satisfaction. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, pulling back a little more, trying to read her reaction. But in his mind, he wasn’t sorry at all. He had been waiting for this moment, looking forward to it with a mix of impatience and desire. He just had to be patient with her now, keep her from asking the wrong questions or seeing through his lies.
• Martina’s eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, she looked as disoriented as she had when she first woke up. Her lips parted slightly as if she were about to say something, but the words didn’t come.