What is there more kindly than the feeling between host and guest?

-Aeschylus

Enzo Fiorenza's POV

I kept on tossing and turning to my bed unable to sleep. My mind was still grappling with the fact that Willow was here in Ragusa to have her 'closure' somewhere in this house probably soundly asleep in her bed while I was kept awake unable to stop thinking about her.

Did she also pack her sexy boxers and worn-out t-shirt on her surprised trip here? I cursed silently as I remember that night in her room.

Her appearance a while ago caught me off guard. But she's really beautiful than I remembered. The memories of her in my brain didn't do justice to how fine-looking she was wearing a dress and her cute cowgirl boots.

The devil inside me had been whispering to me since I went to bed to go and visit her bedroom again. But I don't have any idea where her bedroom is in this ridiculously big castle. I knew that my cunning cousins will not tell me her bedroom is.

I was sorely tempted to scan every room in this place even if there's at least one hundred and fifty rooms in here just to find her.

Nothing would ever happen to my night if I kept on tossing and turning when the subject of my thoughts was probably soundly asleep in her room while I was in a devil's mood. I tossed the cover in my body and jump out of bed and wore my discarded pants and shirt laying on the chair nearby.

I need a drink, I thought silently. I need a bottle of whiskey to help me sleep tonight. So I went out of my room and walk in the hallways with the purposed of going to the cellar. I was about to descend on the staircase when I found myself smiling wickedly when I saw a familiar figure downstairs looking side by side frantically.

Like a wolf slowly stalking his prey I slowly went down to the stairs without spooking her. She must be lost finding her way I would gladly show it to her if she would just let me. She wasn't yet aware of my presence.

"Lost, my lady?"

She gasped and turn around to face me. "Neon! I mean, Enzo. What are you doing here?"

"I should be the one asking you that. What are you doing here? Are you lost and looking for your room?" I stated, eyeing her cute pajama. There's nothing sexy about her nightclothes but it awakens something inside me as if she's standing naked in front of me right now.

She shook her head and probably doesn't have any idea who inappropriate my thoughts about her choice of outfits tonight. "I am looking for the kitchen since I am thirsty."

I frowned at that. "Didn't my cousin assign a maid for you? Why are you getting it for yourself you should just ask your maid for it."

She rolled her eyes as if that's the most ridiculous thing she ever heard. "Are you serious? It's almost midnight. Besides, I only want a glass of water I don't need to bother someone to get it from me. Have you forgotten I do things on my own at the ranch?"

Arguing with her was pointless beside I don't want to debate with her over small things. I took a deep breath gesture to way going to the kitchen. "Come, I'll help you get water this way." I was already heading in the direction of the kitchen when I glance at my back and saw her immobilize in her place. I raised a questioning eyebrow at her. "I thought you said you want water?"

"You don't need to help me just point the way of the kitchen and that will be fine." She muttered, looking away from me. "I don't want to be a hassle for you."

"Don't worry," I replied dryly. "I am also going to the kitchen. I want to get a drink."

She looked at me for a long moment probably debating if she could trust me. I hid my smile well not I can blame her since I am very much feel attacking her right at this moment. "All right." She finally said after a moment.

If I want to be welcome in her bed again first I need to earn her trust back. And from what I could see that's not hard to do.

I walked ahead of her since I don't trust myself walking beside her at the moment. I might do something really stupid and ruin my carefully laid plan. "Welcome to the kitchen. I believe there's sparkling water on the fridge."

"Thank you." She murmured demurely, still avoiding my gaze as she open the sub-zero refrigerator and pulled out a green bottle twist the cap open, and drink the sparkling water. I watched the movement of her throat as she drank the liquid. I think I have never been thirsty in my life more than I have at this moment.

Can I man feel jealous with a bottle? My mind wondered silently. Jesus, Enzo. Do you hear yourself? You are jealous over a bottle that's been in her lips while she drinks...

"What?" She asked when she became aware that I'd been staring at her for quite some time.

I shook my head and gave a self-mocking smile. "Nothing," I replied shortly, heading even further in the kitchen.

"Where are you going?" She asked curiously.

I glanced back at her over my shoulder with a slight smile. "I am going to the cellar to get whiskey. Do you want to see the wine cellar of this house?"

Her eyes lit with excitement at the thought. "Can I?"

"Of course," I replied feeling ridiculously happy about inviting her to show off Cesare's extensive collection of wine. "Come this way."

We went downstairs where there was a wooden door in the basement. I opened the door and switch the lights open. I heard her gasped when the room illuminates with lightings. This was Cesare's private collection of rare, expensive, and world-class wines.

She scanned the wine racks with awe in her expression. "So many vintages and limited edition wines. This place must cost a fortune."

I raised an eyebrow while watching her scanning some labels. "You have knowledge with wines, I see."

Willow gave me a sardonic look. "Far from the usual beer, I have in my fridge, right? But to answer your question my dad loves wine. He sometimes rewarded himself with a bottle of good wine on special occasions when he's still alive."

"Do you drink wine?"

"Sometimes," she replied with a grin on her face that I haven't see in a while. The same smile she had given me when I woke up in her ranch. "But I still prefer the cold beer after a whole day of work at the ranch. How about you?"

"I refer booze," I said, searching for the particular bottle I want on the shelves at the far end of the cellar. I walked back to where she was standing near the table at the center of the room when I found the one I like. "Just like this one."

"You're going to drink all of that?" She asked eyeing the bottle of whiskey in my hand.

"Maybe," I answered suavely, giving her an amused look. "Since this might do the trick to help me sleep tonight."

She gave me an alert look. "Why? Are you still having trouble sleeping because of the accident?"

"Not really," I stated with a chuckle. "I have trouble sleeping lately because a certain blonde blue-eyed girl is keeping me awake almost every night."

It took her a minute or so before finally comprehending what I meant and a pink stain spread through her cheeks. She gave me a guarded look. "I told you before don't have time to play your games, Enzo."

I closed the distance that separate us until I was standing only inches apart. Who says I am playing games with you, Willow?"

"I have enough of this hot and cold attitude you gave me."

I frowned at me, gently lifting her chin with my fingers so I could force her to look at me in the eyes. "What do you mean?"

She moistened her lower lip with the tip of her tongue that I find truly seductive. "You know your usual way one moment you are this flirty guy and then next you are this cold guy who keeps on telling me that you don't do relationships. I am tired of this game, Enzo. Let's just finish it clean and let's be friends and nothing more."

Something prick on my ears the way she delivered her words with such conviction in her voice. It seems to me that I haven't made clear of myself or explain fully to her my reason for that night after I thoroughly seduced her.

"I am sorry for my action that night. I know that I hurt you the way I acted like a complete ass after our sleeping with you." I confessed, staring deep into her eyes. "It hit me like a speeding train after our mind-blowing sex my memories came back in an instant swirling in my head coming back on me at once..."

"Did you regret sleeping with me?"

"I told you, I didn't." I retort hotly. "I never regret coming to your room that night with the intention of seducing you. I only tell you those hurtful words before I finally knew that night who I am and what kind of mess my life is. I still think that you deserved a better man than me even now."

She looked at me with those blue eyes exasperatingly. "If you still believe that now why don't you just let me go? Once and for all let's have this closure. Who knows we might not be meant as lovers but great friends?"

I eyed her cynically. "Do you honestly believe that? Do you think we can just be friends and nothing more?"

She shrugged. "Better than enemies, don't you think?"

"No way!"

Willow took a deep breath and stare at me helplessly. "I don't understand you. You already push me away rejecting the idea of having a relationship with me even it had the chance to gain momentum. And now I heed your warning you are acting strange again hinting that you don't want this thing to end."

I took a deep breath, talking about emotions was not my kind of thing. I have difficulty expressing myself through words. I never spoke this way to others before. "I want you, Willow. I always want you. I only said those words to you that night is because I need to push you away since that was the first time I let myself get attached to someone even with my own family. I thought if I have pushed you away so this madness I have for you would end."

"Does it?" She asked warily, her eyes held vulnerability in their depth.

I found myself shaking my head while a smile slip on my face. "Not even close, darling. It only gets worse since I am now starting to take a double look on other blondes to be sure that you're not them."

She made a face. "Do I look that common for you?"

"Believe me you are one of a kind that makes me still think that you deserve a better man but at the same time I won't let that happen."

A frowned mark her eyebrow. "What does that mean? I don't understand you..."

I smiled ruthlessly in her direction, already made up my mind on what to do with this woman and the insatiable attraction I have for her. "It means that even if I think you deserve better I will not let any man have you...as long as I am alive." I closed the little distance that separate us until my body was already touching hers. "You are mine, Willow Kinsella. Mine alone."

Before she did have a chance to formulate a reply I already dip my head and claim the mouth I've been dying to taste since the last time I have them.