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Jasmine
I stand in the luxurious St. Regis hotel suite in Rome, my eyes taking in the opulence and beauty of the room. The walls are adorned with exquisite paintings, lavish furnishings, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offer a breathtaking view of the city.
The air is perfumed with the subtle scent of roses, and an elegant chandelier casts a warm glow throughout the space.
Dario's presence beside me is intoxicating; our physical attraction is undeniable. However, there's a sense of foreboding within me as I try to navigate the complexities of our emotions and the implications of our growing connection.
"Jasmine," Dario says softly, breaking the silence that had settled around us. "We got lucky with this room, didn't we?"
Dario Marchetti can afford to buy the whole damn St. Regis chain of hotels if he wants. I know that because at the agency, we managed to get our hands on his family accounts.
Which is why I know he's not referring to the room. He's referring to something else entirely; the fact that he and I, for the first time since we met, get to spend the night together in a beautiful hotel. It's the idea this room represents, of romance, that he's calling lucky.
Romance. An idea I want to hold on to so very dearly, but scares the living daylights out of me. For right now, this relationship, if I can call it that, is built on nothing but lies.
He doesn't know I'm here to carve the life out of the empire he is set to inherit, and once he knows, he won't want me.
His deep voice sends shivers down my spine, but I force myself to focus on his words. "Yes, it's beautiful," I reply, willing myself to keep staring out of the window.
"Yet," he pauses, a hint of vulnerability seeping into his tone, "it pales in comparison to you."
My heart races at his compliment, but I can't help feeling a sense of unease. Our relationship is built on deception and secrets, and I fear what might happen if the truth comes to light.
"Thank you, Dario," I murmur, trying to maintain a calm exterior. "But we both know that beneath the surface, things aren't always as they seem."
His brow furrows, and I can see he understands my veiled message. "You're right. There's so much more to both of us than meets the eye, things we don't yet know about each other" he admits, running a hand through his thick, dark hair. "But that doesn't change how I feel about you."
"Feelings can be dangerous," I warn, my voice barely above a whisper. My mind swirls with thoughts of our mission, my role as a spy, and the potential consequences of our relationship. "What if you discover something you hate?"
He takes a step closer to me, the heat from his body radiating against my skin. "I'm willing to take that risk for you, Jasmine. Are you?"
I hesitate, torn between my duty and my desire for him. How can I balance the two without losing myself in the process? The weight of my decision bears down on me, threatening to crush my resolve.
"Taking risks can lead to great rewards," I concede, my voice shaking with uncertainty. "But it can also lead to great pain."
"Life is full of pain, amore mio," Dario says softly, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face. "But it's also full of love and happiness. And I believe, with you, we can find both."
His words resonate within me, and despite my reservations, my heart breaks wide open for him.
He's willing to learn everything there is about me, and claims he's able to handle it. No one has taken such a leap of faith in me, not even my parents, who barely accommodated my existence.
Right now, I'm not concerned with what the agency's records indicate about him; I prefer to judge him based on my own observations. If I can count on his words and promises to be true or if, for him, words are nothing more than poetic artistry.
"Can I ask you something?" The question slips from my lips before I can stop it, my curiosity getting the best of me.
"Of course," Dario replies, his dark eyes filled with warmth.
"Why did you insist on buying that painting for me? Even after I refused?"
Dario sighs, running a hand through his thick hair. "I wanted to give you something beautiful, something that would remind you of our time together. Once it adorns your wall, you'd think of me, every time you see it. Of us. You deserve the world, Jasmine, and if I can give you even a small part of it, I will."
Excitement makes my heart race, is he declaring his love? But at the thought, a cold dread seeps into my chest. How can I reconcile my feelings for him with my duties as a spy? The potential consequences of our relationship loom over me like a dark cloud.
"I don't know what to say, Dario," I admit, my voice wavering. "You're so kind, so generous…" My words trail off, for fear I’ll say the wrong thing and mess this up. And I have to admit, I have painted myself into a corner. Whatever I say, it will mess things up.
"Hey," he says softly, stepping closer and placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Whatever you're feeling, whatever fears you have, you can talk to me about them. Together, we'll find a way to navigate this complicated path."
His sincerity disarms me, but I can't ignore the mounting anxiety I feel. Can I truly allow myself to love him and still fulfill my mission? The stakes are too high, and yet, the desire to share my truth with him grows stronger by the second.
