Rivals & Roses

Roman Bianchi and Luca Montclair, business rivals who are famously known as players that never fall in love, suddenly find themselves captivated by the same woman at a gala.

Aurelia Astor, a talented fashion designer who ran from her family in Arizona, is drawn into a dangerous love triangle with two of the most irresistible and ruthless men she's ever met. Desire, rivalry, and obsession collide... and Aurelia must decide who, if anyone, she can trust.

"You don't get to decide what I can handle," I say, softer now. "I survived Arizona. I survived worse than this. I can survive walking home in the rain."

"I know you can survive," he snaps.

"Then what is this?"

"It's not about survival!"

"Then what is it about?!"

Lightning flashes.

For a second his face is fully lit-angry, frustrated, something deeper underneath.

"It's about the fact that when I thought something happened to you, I couldn't breathe."

The words hit me square in the chest.

I swallow.

"That's not my responsibility."

"I'm not saying it is."

"Then stop putting it on me."

"I'm not putting it on you!" he says, voice rising. "I'm trying to deal with it myself."

"With what?"

He steps closer.

Too close.

His features look so sharp.

So good.

Rain dripping off his lashes.

"With the fact that I care about you more than I've ever cared about anyone."

My heartbeat spikes.

"That's dramatic."

"It's not dramatic to me."

"You barely even know me."

"I know enough." He counters.

"You don't know everything."

"I don't need to."

"That doesn't make sense!"

"It doesn't have to!"

We're both breathing harder now.

Not from the walk.

From this.

From everything sitting between us.

"You're acting like I'm something fragile you have to protect," I say.

"I'm not protecting you because you're weak!"

"Then why?"

He throws his hands up, completely soaked, completely frustrated.

"Because I love you, okay?!"

WARNING ⚠️ ‼️

This book may contain mature themes.