Chapter 16

The next second, Samantha's wrist was seized in a firm grip, yanking her forward with undeniable force. She was already sitting on Leonardo's lap, but now, with the sudden pull, the thin fabric between them was the only thing keeping their skin from touching. The closeness unsettled her. Instinctively, she pressed a hand against his chest, trying to put some space between them. Leonardo wore a faint smile, though his voice was low, almost as if he were holding back irritation. "You've got some nerve, turning me down." Samantha shrank back slightly. Her heart pounded, but she refused to back down. "I'm not rejecting you. I just think marriage isn't something to rush into, and it's not just about you. Both of us have to agree. You can't just force me." "That's true. I don't like forcing people." Leonardo chuckled as he released her hand. He casually pushed her off, creating just the right amount of distance between them. It was like a switch had flipped, turning intimacy into indif