21. Lying to Herself

Heat pooled in Valerie's stomach and then spread through her entire body. Antonio's eyes, his words, and even his simple request were affecting her deeply, whether she wanted to admit it or not.

"What?" she whispered, even though she knew exactly what he was asking for.

"Kiss me, and I'll let you go," he promised.

Valerie tried to retort, her voice betraying her inner turmoil. "You can't make me kiss you."

Antonio shrugged casually. "I'm not making you. I'm requesting you to pay up."

"How is that not a blackmail?" she exclaimed.

Antonio grinned. "I suppose it is. I am a terrible man, so what else do you expect?"

Valerie was torn, her thoughts a whirlwind. There was something about Antonio that piqued her curiosity, and for some reason, she found it hard to refuse him outright.

And it didn't help that she found him insanely attractive too.

Antonio took a lock of her hair and twisted it around his finger. "It's a simple kiss, Valerie. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Just a kiss?" she aske