When they finally pulled apart, kleia took a step back, her cheeks flushed and her breathing on steady.
" that shouldn't have happened" she said, shaking her head
" why not" Vito asked, his voice calm but filled with intensity.
" because you're.. you're you," she stammered " and I'm me. This doesn't make sense."
" it doesn't have to" he replied simply
Kleia glared at him, frustrated by his ability to make everything sound so simple. " I don't trust you Vito. I can't just forget what you've done."
" I'm not asking you to forget" he said, his tone softening. " I'm asking you to give us a chance."
She shook her head , stepping further away from him " I need time"
" take all the time you need" he said, his eyes never leaving hers.
Without another word , kleia turned and left the room, her heart pounding in her chest.
That night, kleia lay awake in bed, replaying the kiss over and over in her mind. She hated herself for giving in, for letting her emotions override her logic.
But deep down , she couldn't deny that something had shifted. For first time she felt like she truly saw Vito, not just as a dangerous mafia boss, but as a man.
And that terrified her .
