◆ Just Kiss Me ◆

◇ KEL ◇

Half past ten, his driver took us to Enzo's new house with his chatty new bodyguard.

It was a hilly area. Nice views. Pretty city lights dotted the night sky. Some trees lined either side of the road. Large, beautiful houses competed for attention every quarter of a mile or so.

The new property Enzo bought, as I'd guessed, belonged in a private neighborhood. Spacious lots. A newly developed suburb. Peaceful.

The yellowish outdoor lights gave the house a more rustic look. "Your nearest neighbor's house is minutes away."

"That's sort of the point." Enzo looked up from his phone just to give me a close-lipped smirk.

I chuckled. "Gotcha."

"After you."

"Thank you."

With his arm loosely draped over my shoulder, Enzo led me past the large front doors made of expensive hardwood. We stepped inside the house after his security staff did a routine inspection, then a quick sweep of the surroundings. They probably checked every room.

Although I didn't quite expect he'd buy a house this big just for himself, I tried not to look so intimidated as Enzo toured me around his new place.

Every inch looked brand new, but also homey. The interior and some furniture didn't look too modern. A big pool was the highlight in the backyard. Bermuda grass and trimmed bushes mostly covered the outdoor space. Little roses on the wide front lawn had bloomed.

"Looks great. Lots of space." I gestured towards the large windows. We stood alone in his spacious living room now. "Brand new? Paint looks fresh."

"Yeah. The realtor said the first buyer backed out, bought the old mansion instead. Good guy."

"It's a great lot. Wide. Lots of room for your toys." I grinned.

Weeks ago, he mentioned buying a boat and a jet ski once he found a nice property. Plus an SUV. Although the place didn't have a roofed garage, he didn't really need one for now. "Yeah. The garden and pool design's cool, too." Enzo held onto my shoulder and showed me the rest of the second floor.

It looked mostly bare, like I expected. Not enough decor and furniture yet. Some appliances were still missing. The lighting and plumbing were top-notch, though. Not that it was a surprise.

This property must've cost him a million dollars at least. Then again, he grew up in a rich clan. This house and lot...nothing too extravagant for a guy of his stature. Maybe he used his inheritance money for this.

"Help me pick out furniture," Enzo muttered, scratching the back of his head as a frown creased his brows, "among other things."

"Sure, but I know you won't stay in this house long enough to use the kitchen appliances."

"I'm bloody serious. I hate lookin' at color swatches. Makes me dizzy."

"Lorenzio, I take decent photos sometimes. Doesn't mean I'm good at interior design." And I seriously doubted he couldn't afford a professional to do the job in a week or earlier.

Unless he preferred to keep this location top secret. Probably. "Should I get on my knees and say 'pretty please'?"

"Jeez. Fine." I put on a bored look. "Text me when."

"No. You say when. Deal?"

"Ugh. I said fine."

Enzo chuckled and fist-bumped me before we entered the master bedroom.

In the middle of the dim room, a king-sized bed looked wrapped in plastic. The windows looked wide and thick, too. Bulletproof, I supposed. "Four beds could fit in here."

"I like space and big beds." Enzo shrugged coolly. "Gettin' sick of my office couch. I sleep in my office sometimes, y'know."

"Thought so." I flumped down on his new bed. The entire room smelled of roses. Must be an expensive air freshener.

"So this just arrived."

"You're gonna sleep here? Tonight?"

He stood next to me and glanced over the thick mattress. "Tsk. Didn't even get to unwrap it yet."

"Thank you for stating the obvious." I rolled my eyes.

Enzo smirked and sauntered towards the big closet doors, painted eggshell white like the moldings downstairs. He stared at the bed, his arms crossed over his chest, watching with a half-grin while I tested the springs with my weight.

"Pretty soft. But, sturdy frame."

Enzo cleared his throat and turned on the lights.

All of them? Really?

Did he feel uncomfortable? Or, he thought I did just because we're all alone in here. "Does it match the curtains?"

I stared at his profile, gauging the serious look on his face that wrinkled his forehead and brows. "You don't even have curtains. What're you talking about?" I giggled.

A mostly hands-on CEO like him just didn't have the time. But he loved keeping busy, so, he'd better just hire a decorator first thing rather than wait for my schedule to clear up.

"You need a girlfriend. A wife, the better."

"Sure. 'Cause I got lotsa free time for wife-hunting right now." Enzo scoffed. "Don't even have time to nap."

"Preaching to the choir." I sighed and slapped the soft mattress.

He sat on the opposite side. "I don't mean I don't want a relationship."

"So, you actually want a wife?"

He glanced at me. "Maybe." A slanted grin crinkled the tan skin around his eyes.

"You need one." Still lying on my back, I splayed my arms out next to my head, the plastic screeching against my skin.

"Or I just need a good listener to get me through the day."

"You mean a therapist." I scratched my forehead. "Tsk. I'm not that kind of doctor. Sorry to disappoint."

"Yep. Didn't win the lotto."

"What?" I laughed.

"I haven't dated a therapist."

"Perfect! I'll set you up with mine." I wiggled my brows when he threw me a "You've gotta be joking" look. "She's very much single. Last time I checked, looking for a new love interest, too."

"Pass. Don't like blind dates."

"I'll show you her pictures. Then it wouldn't be a blind date."

"You and your smart mouth." He weakly shook his head and smirked. Now he sat closer to me, his knee touching my arm while I rested my weight on my elbows.

"You want a wife soon or not?" I couldn't help but laugh at his raised brow. "I'm not kidding. She's your age. Very pretty. Blonde and tall. Looks like Elizabeth Debicki."

"You think that's my type?"

"She's really nice. Great listener." I gave him two thumbs up, which he only ignored. My louder laugh at his non-reaction kind of hurt my stomach. I just loved his dry sense of humor. "I'll give you her number now."

"You're funny."

"Meh. I try."

"Yeah. Try harder." Enzo averted his gaze as soon as I stopped laughing.

"Okay! Back to reality." I got up and stepped away, leaving him on the right side of the bed. "I got homework to do. Enjoy your gorgeous new house."

"Thanks." Enzo combed his hair away from his face. The room fell silent while he tried to decipher my grin. "Glad you like it."

"I dunno how you're gonna sleep in here tonight. You don't even have a pair of scissors to cut this open." I pinched the thick plastic covering the entire mattress.

"Right. Sorry." He got up and sighed. "Forgot you still need to study."

"Story of my life."

◇

"Can I ask you something?"

"Always." I paused my brisk strides and turned to look at him. We stood in the dim hallway now.

A deep frown made his lips pout a little, and his hushed question planted some confusion in my thoughts.

My legs froze at the somber look on his face. I didn't mind the dimness, though. I actually enjoyed the total privacy we had. For now.

For sure his bodyguards were right outside the front door just waiting for us. Or they must be thinking I would be sleeping over.

"What's up?"

Enzo heaved a sigh and stared at the floor, his arms crossed. "Was it just a joke?" he murmured.

Why did he look and sound too serious? I took a step closer to him, trying not to make a face at his sudden mood shift. "What joke?"

"When you said I should shave."

"Oh...that." I held back a smile. Why bring it up again? Did he think I was just making fun of him then? Sheesh. I actually thought he finally took the hint. "You look too hot and mysterious with that beard. Just really distracting, y'know?"

"Tsk. Bellezza..." Enzo scowled and stared right into me. He stood in the dimmer part of the hallway, a few steps away from the door to the master bedroom. He barely moved when I stood right in front of him.

I returned his frown. "What?" Did my comment sound insincere? A little rude?

"Why are you here?"

"Huh?" I pulled back. I waited for him to say more, but he didn't. And something about the look in his shaded eyes just didn't sit right with me. I matched his stare, the slight impatience in his tone bunching up my insides into little knots. "What d'you mean?"

"Because I help you forget about him?"

"What?" I scoffed.

Drats. Where'd that come from? Did he seriously think I was only hanging out with him to help me forget about Miles?

Some weird ache in my chest and gut zipped my mouth shut. I looked away, pinching my nasal bridge till it hurt, biting on my lip to keep me from blurting out something curt and stupid.

Did he think I viewed our friendship that way? An emotional crutch? Heck. I really hoped not. I'd better apologize if he really felt like I was just using him to get over Miles.

Darn it. Did he always see me that way? Too weak and needy?

Enzo didn't even budge, still dead serious, looking at me as if his eyes could scan every single part of me inside out.

I itched my brow and tried not to slouch as he leaned against the wall.

His soulful, attentive eyes wouldn't even blink. "Yes or no?"

"Wait." I backed away when he stepped closer to me, his expression too deadpan for my liking. Did I upset him now? "Why do you think I'm here?"

"Just answer the question, would you?" he sighed.

"I-I don't..."

He looked away and sighed out loud. His hands rested on his hips as he stared at something on the wall.

"You asked me to come over."

"And you actually wanna be here?"

I scoffed. "What? Of course." Did I look like I didn't enjoy hanging out all day with him?

"Why?" Enzo bowed his head.

Ugh. Did I say something offensive? Should I apologize for suggesting he could date my shrink?

The silence turned awkward, just prolonging the tension. Or perhaps I was the only one feeling and making up the awkwardness. "Something wrong with what I said?"

"Why d'you wanna be here?"

I covered my mouth and glanced away, resisting the gnawing urge to roll my eyes. Instead of backing away, I tried to maintain a calm face.

Or else he might take it the wrong way and...

"What d'you want me to say?"

"Everything. I'm tired of guessing." With a fleeting sigh, Enzo looked down and waited for my response, as though desperate for better answers.

I stepped closer to him. I stared into his eyes again, hoping to convince him I was no longer playing around.

But what did he really want to hear? Was he even ready for the truth?

His fist clenched before he sighed out loud. "If you think I'm glad to be his replacement— Sorry. That's not how..."

"Replacement?"

Miles' replacement?

Wait. That's really what he thought of himself? Of my feelings for him?

Wow. Okay.

So, he thought, this was just mindless flirting. That all that time I'd spent with him the past few months was just me desperately trying to bury my unrequited feelings for Miles.

I feigned a grin and looked away. I just did not expect this much candor from him.

Did he think our relationship had grown past friendship now?

Considering the recent circumstances, though, I also couldn't blame him if he felt like I was just using him to forget about Miles.

"I know, we're just hanging out. But I like being with you," Enzo murmured with another frown scrunching up his brows and forehead. "If we're gonna keep this up..." He stroked my jaw and touched my cheek.

My insides coiled.

"I'm still a guy, love."

Putting on a faint smile, I leaned in till my nose confirmed the smell of menthol gum and whiskey.

Crap. He'd been drinking. When? That few minutes I left him alone in his new kitchen to use his bathroom?

Drinking the hard stuff again. Not a good sign at all. Was he depressed? Was he turning to alcohol again? Or he thought it was all he needed to deal with the stress caused by his job and family problems.

"Can I ask you something?"

"What?" Enzo rested his heavy forearms on my shoulders, his warm hands almost clasping my hair.

I held my breath when his lips neared mine. I combed some strands of hair away from his cheeks, my palms liking the warmth of his neck and soft skin as I held his head. "Why're you drinking again?"

Enzo shut his mouth and glanced down. A rueful look etched creases between his dark brows. He sighed and stopped touching my hair. Then he pulled away.

Was he embarrassed?

It wasn't my intention at all. I was just genuinely worried about his health—his mental state, especially. He seemed mostly brooding lately.

I just wasn't used to him being the quiet one. "You're leaving again tomorrow," I muttered. My heart pounded so fast I could almost hear the nonstop thuds. "Just wanna be sure you're okay."

He clasped my wrist before I could back off.

I froze.

His brows furrowed again as he stared into my eyes, looking a bit more pensive. Confounded. Torn. "Why do you care so much?"

"I just do."

◇