I should stop looking at Nico. Once the ceremony ends, he is my stepbrother. I have to stop stealing glances at him.I must.
And yet, my gaze seeks him once again—the line of his jaw, the waythe tux sits on those shoulders, the V of his throat above his collar. A body I have seen half-naked before. From my bedroom window, I’ve watched him and my brothers in the pool more times than I can count—rivulets of water tracing the lines of his chest, sliding down to his abs, and vanishing into his shorts along a perfectly defined V-line. Found myself tempted to go down there and lick—
Stop, Gabby. Look away.
I do. Then my eyes wander back—to that strong jaw, the mouth I’ve spent years wanting to know. I wonder what kind of lover he is. Would his kisses be sweet and gentle or is he thekind to stake a claim? I bite my lower lip, letting my eyes linger a moment too long, and when I finally look up, my breath snags.
He’s watching me. Intensely.
I flush, mortified at being caught staring, but I can’t drag my eyes away to save my life.
There is nothing playful in the way his eyes hold mine—none of the easy warmth I’m used to from him.For one terrifying moment, with my heart lodged in my throat, I am almost certain he’ll close the distance between us and kiss me. That I’ll finally know what his mouth feels like. Heat pools low in my stomach, a heat I usually only allow myself to feel in the privacy of my bedroom.
Can he tell? Can he see how badly I want him?
Forbidden.
“If anyone has any reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace…”
The words snap the spell. Nico’s expression shifts—warm again, and he winksat me. My flush deepens. I look away, half-hoping someone in this crowd will jump up and object—anything to keep the ceremony from finishing, to give me one more day before he becomes untouchable. But no one does. No one would dare. My father is the don of one of the most powerful Italian mob families in New York, and anyone who tried to disrupt this day would not enjoy the consequences. Still.
But no one speaks. No one stands up, so the priest continues.
Despite my heartache, I force my eyes forward and keep them there—through the vows, through the kiss, through the applause—refusing to lookhis way. Refusing to let anyone see how much this costs me.
I want him.
These feelings hollow me. They have taken on a life of their own and threaten to wreck mine. I can’t stand it. I can’t help that this man makes my pulse riot, and now, I can never have him.
“I thought you liked Estella.” My head whips around. My brother Antonio stands beside me, his eyes narrowed. “You look like a kicked puppy. Looked that way back at the church and now here. Don’t worry, barely anyone noticed. They were all focused on the bride and groom.”
I flush with mortification.
Christ.
“I…I do like Estella.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
Any hope I had of being with the man I have loved my entire life just dies because his mother just married our father. But I can’t say that out loud. “Just a slight headache, is all.”
Antonio looks unconvinced but doesn’t call me out on the lie. “How about a dance?”
“Right now?” I glance around and realize I’ve completely missed the first dance, and now, the floor is filled with couples. Christ, I need to get out of my head and enjoy this day. I flash my brother a genuine smile and nod. “Sure, why not.”
I take his hand and follow him. “Are you having a good time?” he asks, pulling me into a rather relaxed dancer’s hold.
“I’m not the one getting married, Antonio.” I laugh when he spins me before turning me to face him again. When he drops me into an exaggerated dip, I feel the tension ease out of my shoulders.
“Still, it’s a wedding.” He grins. “You should be enjoying yourself.”
“I’m having fun, Antonio,” I say, and this time, I mean it. “Estella was a beautiful bride. I’ve never seen Papa smile like that. I’m not sure I knew he could.”
“Oh, he’s always been a party animal. You should have seen him back when he and…” His voice trails off as the smile falls from his face. I swallow the lump in my throat and hold my smile in place.
“Back when Mom was still alive?”
“Gabby—”