When She Tempts (The Fallen, #2)

by Gabrielle Sands

“You know I don’t like people,” Giorgio says, already back at his newspaper. Allegra’s eyes widen, and she makes an awkward laugh. “He means he doesn’t like people in his personal space, not in general.” “No, in general too,” he deadpans.

“There are two types of people in this world—those who experience pain and let it consume them, and those who accept it as part of themselves, learn from it, and keep fighting. You’re a fighter, Martina.”

“I’ve lived for a long time, piccolina,” he rasps. “Nearly twice as long as you. Never in my life have I met anyone who hides so much wickedness behind an innocent face like yours. Your mind seduces me. Your body tempts me. A single glimpse of you, and I lose my train of thought. I become completely absorbed in your presence. You shouldn’t have let me touch you like I just did, because now that I know how wet and warm you’d feel around me, I won’t think about anything else for hours. Days. Weeks.”

I let go of him. “I hated myself, Giorgio.” He clenches his jaw, clearly displeased at hearing that. “And now?” “Now, I think even the most broken of things can be mended by the right pair of hands.”