Chapter 19: A War of Hearts

Isla didn't move for a long time after Alessandro left.

Her hands gripped the edge of the counter, her breathing unsteady, her body still burning from his nearness.

She had been the one to tease him. To provoke him.

And yet, he had been the one to walk away.

Damn him.

Damn herself for wanting him to stay.

With a frustrated exhale, she pushed away from the counter and stormed back upstairs.

She needed space. She needed control.

But when she reached her room, she realized something unsettling.

No matter how much distance she put between them, Alessandro Romano was already under her skin.

And that terrified her.

—

The next morning, she found herself in his office.

Not because she wanted to see him.

But because she had to.

The contract. The arrangement. The business part of their deal—she needed to focus on that.

Not on the way he kissed her.

Not on the way he almost touched her.

Not on the way he made her crave things she had no business wanting.

Alessandro sat behind his desk, looking every bit the ruthless CEO. Sharp. Powerful. Completely in control.

But when he looked up and met her gaze, something flickered in his dark eyes.

Something unspoken.

"What do you need, cara mia?" he murmured, leaning back in his chair.

Isla ignored the way her stomach tightened at the sound of his voice.

"We need to talk," she said, stepping forward.

Alessandro gestured lazily to the chair across from him. "By all means."

She didn't sit.

She folded her arms instead, keeping her stance firm. "Last night—"

"Was inevitable."

Her jaw clenched. "It was a mistake."

Alessandro smirked, tilting his head. "Then why do you look so uncertain saying that?"

Isla exhaled sharply. "Because you're twisting everything."

His amusement faded slightly, his gaze sharpening. "Am I?"

She stepped closer, bracing her hands on the desk. "This was supposed to be business. A contract. Nothing more."

Alessandro studied her, his expression unreadable. "And yet, you've spent more time trying to convince yourself of that than me."

Her pulse stuttered.

Because he was right.

And that only made her angrier.

"I want boundaries," she said, her voice firm. "Clear ones."

Alessandro let out a quiet hum, tapping his fingers against the desk. "You mean, like no more kissing?"

Her breath hitched slightly, but she didn't falter. "Yes."

"No more touching?"

She swallowed. "Yes."

Alessandro leaned forward, his gaze locking onto hers. "And what about when you beg me to break those rules?"

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

She hated him.

She hated that he knew her too well.

But she refused to let him win.

"That won't happen," she said coldly.

Alessandro smirked, but there was something darker in his eyes now. "You should know by now, cara mia—I don't follow rules."

Her hands curled into fists. "Then I'll remind you why you should."

She turned on her heel, storming toward the door.

But before she could reach it, Alessandro's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"You're fighting something that's already yours, Isla."

Her breath caught.

She didn't look back.

She couldn't.

Because if she did, she might do something reckless.

Like prove him right.