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I love him.

Ysabel knew in her guts that Massimo was telling her the truth, and even though he didn't know it yet—-

He loves me, too.

Because that was what his admission amounted to.

Massimo loved her!

And since this changedeverything,she found herself vigorously shaking her head, which then caused Massimo to stare at her in bemusement.

"I understand."

Massimo's mood turned wary. Were they okay then...just like that? His fights with Ynez were often long and ugly, with his ex-girlfriend sending voice messages to his phone that were full of raging screams and swear words.

"It's not like my sister has a trademark on those words, and besides..."

Her cheeky tone nearly had him smirking, just because.

"It's true, isn't it?"

"What's true?"

"That I'm your little cherry...duh."

This time, Massimo was no longer able to keep the smirk off his lips, which then caused Ysabel to laugh, and the sound of it was...

Fuck!

Massimo knew he should stop comparing the two sisters to each other, but how could he when Ysabel was showing more and more similarities to the girl he had imagined Ynez would be? The girl he had met at the funhouse might have been fiery, but it was also clear to see that she had a sense of humor, just like what Ysabel was showing now...and Ynez never did.

Ysabel suddenly crossed her arms and looked at him challengingly, and Massimo asked, "What?"

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Ysabel asked in her best imitation ofLa Strega's imperious voice. "I already admitted I'myourlittle cherry—-"

Massimo suddenly hauled her close, and the rest of what she had to say was replaced with a whimper.

Aaah!

Instead of kissing her as she was already breathlessly waiting for him to do, Massimo's fingers gripped her hair as he pulled her head back...so he could start sucking on her neck.

Oh!

She knew right away he was avoiding kissing her or touching her face because of her wounds and bruises, and his tenderness made her fall for him all over again...even as every part of her body burned in desire.

"Massimo..."

His name slipped past her lips in an aching whisper, and in the blink of an eye, she found herself gasping as he had her pressed against the cold, smooth glass of the windows in their living room.

"No!"

Her parents' apartment might be on the fourth floor, and the windows fully tinted, but Ysabel still felt mortifyingly exposed, and more so when she felt Massimo reach under her robe.

"S-Stop..."

But her protest quickly turned into a moan as his hands cupped the cheeks of her ass before giving them a tight, hard squeeze.

"I...I w-want to stay a virgin!"