The kiss changed everything.

It wasn’t supposed to. Not for her.

But the moment Aria allowed Luca’s mouth to claim hers, something inside her cracked open—something she’d buried beneath layers of rage and grief.

It wasn’t love. It wasn’t forgiveness.

It was fire.

And she burned for him.

He tasted like danger. Like sin wrapped in silk. He was everything her body shouldn’t want, but her traitorous pulse quickened with every drag of his lips against hers.

Luca didn’t kiss like a man who wanted affection. He kissed like a man who ownedher.

And for one terrifying, exhilarating second—she let him.

His hand slid around her waist, pressing her against...