Chapter 17
Alia POV
Antonio reluctantly stepped back, disappointment evident on his face.
1
h
عروس الم
Marco positioned himself opposite me, his intense gaze making my knees weak. As the event host placed the spaghetti strand between us, Marco leaned close to my ear.
“Why didn’t you refuse?” he whispered, his breath warm against my skin. “Were you really planning to play this game with another man?
I cannot answer Marco’s question, my heart is beating very hard.
I stood facing Marco across the table, a single strand of spaghetti between us.
How did I end up here? One minute I was celebrating our wine–tasting victory, and the next I was about to play the most intimate party game possible–with my secret husband–in front of the entire company.
I straightened my shoulders and shot back, “Who’s afraid of who?” The competitive edge in my voice surprised even me. Marco’s eyebrow arched slightly, amusement flickering in his dark eyes.
Luca, now playing the role of game host, clapped his hands. “Ladies and gentlemen! The rules are simple–each team’s representatives will eat the same strand of spaghetti from opposite ends. First pair to finish wins! On your mark… get set… GO!”
The other three teams immediately began, their representatives awkwardly nibbling the pasta while their teammates cheered. I stood frozen, the pasta dangling between Marco and me like the world’s most intimidating tightrope.
Someone from the blue team called out, “Red team’s going down!” followed by laughter and playful jeers.
“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” The chant started somewhere in the back and quickly spread through the crowd.
I couldn’t help but notice several female employees watching with barely concealed envy.
Marco leaned slightly closer, his voice low enough that only I could hear. “Don’t move. Just hold your end with your teeth. I’ll handle the rest.”
This commanding tone makes my cheeks flush involuntarily. I nodded slightly, taking the end of the spaghetti between my teeth.
With our faces mere inches apart, I became acutely aware of everything about him–the subtle cologne that smelled like expensive leather and cedar, the perfect shadow of stubble along his jaw, the intensity in his eyes that made me feel like we were the only two people in the world.
I closed my eyes, too nervous to watch as the spaghetti grew shorter between us. My heart fluttered like a trapped bird, and I tried desperately to control my breathing. This was just a game. A silly team–building exercise.
With each passing second, I could sense him getting closer. The cheers around us faded into background noise as I focused entirely on the diminishing space between us. I could feel the warmth of his breath now, impossibly close.
Then suddenly–oh–I felt it. The unmistakable brush of his lips against mine. Soft. Warm. Electric.
My eyes flew open as 1 jerked backward, nearly tripping over my own feet. The entire company’s colleagues burst into cheers and whistles. My face burned hotter than an summer, and I knew I must have been as red as a perfectly ripened tomato.
“Red team loses! Luca announced with theatrical disappointment. “According to Portano tradition, the two losers must accept the ice water punishment!”
The crowd roared with approval while I stood there, still reeling from the brief contact with Marco’s lips.
I volunteer to execute the punishment!” Antonio eagerly steps forward, already reaching for a mysteriously appearing bucket of ice water.
Before I could process what was happening, Marco positioned himself directly in front of me, spreading his suit jacket wide like protective wings. “Ready,” he said calmly to Antonio, who hesitated for just a moment before dumping the entire bucket.
1:05 AM
Chapter 177
Ilgaspasstheewatercosscaldes down, drenching Marco. He’s soaking wet, and I cling tightly to his embrace, wishing I could melt into him and becomeconee His sepensives shittcclingst to his broad shoulders, water droplets running down his cheeks, revealing the firm muscle lines underneath, fullloffs strength.
“You’ll catch coldd, Thathispered.
Marco leaned iddo isslipp samoost touching my ear. Don’t worry,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent another shiver through me. “Your mamissveryysstorgg
Your man. The possessiveppinas sermaalder my cheeks flush all over again.
Marco remains sasscommandiiggas server just like he is in board meetings, standing tall, running his fingers through his wet hair, and saying to the still cheering crowdd:”Enjoyyyourselves.
Alia, come with meet tochianggectootless, Marco whispers close to my ear, putting his arm around me as we leave together. At this moment I realize I’m still leaning against this schless myymind filled with the image of Marco shielding me from the ice water.
As we leave, Ilsuddenlyyfeet laabuminggggzzeddirected at me.
I look over and lock eyes with Camilaaffoomt heermarketing department. The jealousy on her face is so intense it could set the entire sky ablaze.
