Rico pulled her in like a storm he had been holding back for too long.
The kiss was fierce—commanding, consuming. Bella's breath broke instantly, her resistance melting into confusion as her thoughts scattered under the weight of his presence. His grip tightened at her waist, steadying her as her knees weakened.
"Rico…" she whispered against his lips, unsure if it was a protest or surrender.
He didn't answer.
Instead, he pulled back just slightly, his forehead resting near hers, both of them breathing hard in the silence that followed.
His eyes searched hers—dark, unreadable, burning with something he had buried for too long.
"You always do this," he said lowly. "Act like you don't feel it."
Bella's heart stuttered. "Feel what?"
His jaw tightened, restraint battling instinct.
"You," he admitted finally. "You're the problem."
The words hung between them, heavy and dangerous.
For a moment, he looked like he might lose control again—but instead, he exhaled sharply and stepped back, forcing space between them.
Bella adjusted her top quickly, flustered and confused, her emotions tangled in ways she couldn't name.
Rico ran a hand through his hair, visibly trying to rein himself in.
Then his phone rang.
The sound cut through the tension like a blade.
He didn't move at first.
It rang again.
Annoyance flashed across his face as he finally pulled it out.
"If this is useless," he muttered coldly, answering the call.
A pause.
His expression changed instantly.
The shift was subtle—but deadly.
"What did you say?" Rico's voice dropped.
The voice on the other end spoke again.
"Sir… the Big Boss is awake."
Silence.
Rico's entire posture changed.
Whatever heat had been in his eyes vanished, replaced by something far more dangerous.
He ended the call slowly.
Then looked at Bella.
And for the first time that night—he didn't see her as just Bella.
He saw consequences.
"We're done here," he said quietly.
But the storm had already moved somewhere else.