Chapter 18: Panic Attack.

Celine's nerves were palpable as Ermanno's eyes traced over her frame, the implication of her request not lost on her. "I don't mean 'sleep with you' like 'sleep with you'," she hurriedly clarified, her words tripping over each other. "I mean, sleep with you, like just sleep."

Ermanno's chuckle was a balm to her frazzled nerves. "Calm down, Princess," he said, amusement dancing in his voice. "I understood what you meant."

The storm raged on outside, the occasional crackle of lightning illuminating the room in brief flashes.

Celine tentatively stepped into Ermanno's room, the soft glow of the lamp creating an intimate atmosphere. She clutched her pillow, her body trembling slightly with nerves.

"Thank you," she murmured, climbing into his bed with a quiver of apprehension.

Ermanno's gaze trailed over her figure, his eyes lingering on her short lingerie. He swallowed hard, feeling a familiar rush of desire threaten to overtake his carefully constructed composure.

"This is going to be a