Chapter 17 Alia POV Antonio reluctantly stepped back , disappointment evident on his face . 1 h عروس الم Marco positioned himself opposite me , his intense gaze making my knees weak . As the event host placed the spaghetti strand between us , Marco leaned close to my ear . " Why didn't you refuse ? " he whispered , his breath warm against my skin . " Were you really planning to play this game with another man ? I cannot answer Marco's question , my heart is beating very hard . I stood facing Marco across the table , a single strand of spaghetti between us . How did I end up here ? One minute I was celebrating our wine - tasting victory , and the next I was about to play the most intimate party game possible - with my secret husband - in front of the entire company . I straightened my shoulders and shot back , " Who's afraid of who ? " The competitive edge in my voice surprised even me . Marco's eyebrow arched slightly , amusement flickering in his dark eyes . Luca , now playing the role of game host , clapped his hands . " Ladies and gentlemen ! The rules are simple - each team's representatives will eat the same strand of spaghetti from opposite ends . First pair to finish wins ! On your mark … get set … GO ! " The other three teams immediately began , their representatives awkwardly nibbling the pasta while their teammates cheered . I stood frozen , the pasta dangling between Marco and me like the world's most intimidating tightrope . Someone from the blue team called out , " Red team's going down ! " followed by laughter and playful jeers . " Kiss ! Kiss ! Kiss ! " The chant started somewhere in the back and quickly spread through the crowd . I couldn't help but notice several female employees watching with barely concealed envy . Marco leaned slightly closer , his voice low enough that only I could hear . " Don't move . Just hold your end with your teeth . I'll handle the rest . " This commanding tone makes my cheeks flush involuntarily . I nodded slightly , taking the end of the spaghetti between my teeth . With our faces mere inches apart , I became acutely aware of everything about him - the subtle cologne that smelled like expensive leather and cedar , the perfect shadow of stubble along his jaw , the intensity in his eyes that made me feel like we were the only two people in the world . I closed my eyes , too nervous to watch as the spaghetti grew shorter between us . My heart fluttered like a trapped bird , and I tried desperately to control my breathing . This was just a game . A silly team - building exercise . With each passing second , I could sense him getting closer . The cheers around us faded into background noise as I focused entirely on the diminishing space between us . I could feel the warmth of his breath now , impossibly close . Then suddenly - oh - I felt it . The unmistakable brush of his lips against mine . Soft . Warm . Electric . My eyes flew open as 1 jerked backward , nearly tripping over my own feet . The entire company's colleagues burst into cheers and whistles . My face burned hotter than an summer , and I knew I must have been as red as a perfectly ripened tomato . " Red team loses ! Luca announced with theatrical disappointment . " According to Portano tradition , the two losers must accept the ice water punishment ! " The crowd roared with approval while I stood there , still reeling from the brief contact with Marco's lips . I volunteer to execute the punishment ! " Antonio eagerly steps forward , already reaching for a mysteriously appearing bucket of ice water . Before I could process what was happening , Marco positioned himself directly in front of me , spreading his suit jacket wide like protective wings . " Ready , " he said calmly to Antonio , who hesitated for just a moment before dumping the entire bucket . Chapter 177 Ilgaspasstheewatercosscaldes down , drenching Marco . He's soaking wet , and I cling tightly to his embrace , wishing I could melt into him and becomeconee His sepensives shittcclingst to his broad shoulders , water droplets running down his cheeks , revealing the firm muscle lines underneath , fullloffs strength . " You'll catch coldd , Thathispered . Marco leaned iddo isslipp samoost touching my ear . Don't worry , " he murmured , his voice a low rumble that sent another shiver through me . " Your mamissveryysstorgg Your man . The possessiveppinas sermaalder my cheeks flush all over again . Marco remains sasscommandiiggas server just like he is in board meetings , standing tall , running his fingers through his wet hair , and saying to the still cheering crowdd :" Enjoyyyourselves . Alia , come with meet tochianggectootless , Marco whispers close to my ear , putting his arm around me as we leave together . At this moment I realize I'm still leaning against this schless myymind filled with the image of Marco shielding me from the ice water . As we leave , Ilsuddenlyyfeet laabuminggggzzeddirected at me . I look over and lock eyes with Camilaaffoomt heermarketing department . The jealousy on her face is so intense it could set the entire sky ablaze .