“You sure?”

I nod again, but sharply because he needs to go away.

“Fine.”

Massimo leaves me in the middle of the hall. I don’t know if I’m close enough to be seen through the window, but when the lock cracks open, he’s on his feet.

I go through and the door hisses behind me before snapping closed.

“Prima.” He’s wary. I don’t blame him.

I’m going to tell him everything. I’m going to blurt out as much as I can before Massimo comes in.

Our marriage is annulled, and Massimo’s making me marry Sergio, and I have to make him happy, but it’s okay because you’re going to be free, and I’m really proud that I could negotiate that, and I could because you made me feel like I can do anything, and I just wanted one more time with you so please please please just keep calm and let it be a good thing.

No.

No!

Nothing.

I say nothing.

“What’s going on?” He steps toward me.

I open the coat to reveal the way the pink nightgown drapes over cold-hardened nipples and let the coat drop to the floor. He consumes me with his eyes before looking up at the camera. The red light’s out.

Another step in my direction. I pinch my lips together and run my fingers across my mouth.

“Zip it?”

I point at myself, cross my heart, then my throat. Nothing. I will not say a word.

“Why?”

That’s the one question I’m most committed to not answering.

Stepping forward, I place my palm on his chest, then make a rectangle boundary with my fingertip before tapping out a message.

SAFE.

While I lay my palm flat on his chest, he takes a moment to visualize the keyboard and make the words, then nods.

“All right, prima.” He takes my hand and tenderly kisses the center of my sweaty palm. “I trust you.”

His words squeeze my heart, pushing a sob through my lungs and upward.

That will not do.

My throat catches it before it escapes.

Relief. I can do this.

Running my fingertips over his collarbones, I take in his warmth and beauty. The hardness under the skin, the warmth under the chill, the bumps of his cold nipples. He mirrors my every move, sliding his touch over the silken fabric, giving me control I’ve never had with him before.

I take it and hold his face, leaning my face to his, taking in the warm breath of a caged man who doesn’t know he’s about to be freed. Without making a sound, I run my lips over his, part them, circle to taste every bit of them, savoring this last kiss.