(Of course, I am taking her, you dick. I bought her a dress with earrings to match.)
A
Five minutes later, I hear a ding. I shake my head; he will not drop this.
Subject: Re: Re: Jasper
Holy shit? You bought jewelry AND a dress? Is this really Alexander Russo?
Carlos
I give up on the email and just texted him, Fuck off.
I spend most of the day in the office. I look at my watch; it’s almost five thirty. Isabella has been held up in her room most of the day. She changed into her painting clothes and locked herself in her studio.
Clicking on her feed and zooming in on the door. I can’t see her, but I catch sight of her moving about every once in a while as the shadows cross the carpet. I meant it when I said I’d like to see her work. When she moved in, I didn’t pay much attention to the paintings on the floor. I just had the guys throw them in with the rest of her shit.
I wish I would have. I won’t get a chance now unless she leaves the house and I sneak in there. But I won’t. I can be an asshole, but that is her space and as much as I want to be in charge of everything else, she needs one room that is solely hers.
I rub my face with my hands and chuckle. Look at me being a nice guy.
I pick up the phone and call Rose; order a plate sent up to our rooms with grapes and cheeses, that sort of thing. We won’t be able to hold off until 8:00 for something to eat.
I shut down my computer and head up the stairs to my room. I stop at her door and listen. There is never any noise, no TV, no music. If I didn’t check on her with the cameras, I wouldn’t even know she was there.
Entering my room while undoing my tie, I toss it on the bed and remove my suit jacket. Picking up the remote and flipping on the TV, looking for a game. I flop onto the couch and put my feet up on the coffee table. I just need to sit and relax for a few before I have to dress up in my tuxedo. She will be wearing a silk dress that matches her eyes. I smile to myself; she is going to be stunning. Ten minutes into the game, Sasha knocks on my door, handing me my food. I say my thanks and sit back down to finish the game.
It’s 6:45. I’m dressed and waiting in the foyer. I pace a few times as Carlos stands by the door, arms crossed, leaning against the wall.
“Are you sure you asked her to come with you? Nicely?”
I stop and glare at him. “Yes, I wrote a note with the dress.”
I adjusted my tie for the hundredth time. She will come. I know she will. I saw the challenge in her eyes when I asked about my gifts. They pissed her off. I smile and look up at the top of the stairs again. She’s not there. I look at my watch; it’s 6:50.
I walk back over to the door and back again, looking up. No Isabella. I walk back towards Carlos, my lip pinched between my thumb and forefinger. His eyes go wide and he drops his arms straight and pushes off the wall to stand up straight, looking over my head.
He barely breathes, “Sei una visione Isabella.”
I turn and my heart stops, then jumps back to life ten times faster. Jesus!
She is a vision of shimmering jade green silk. Her hair is up in a French twist, exposing her soft neck; the diamond teardrop earrings sparkle as she carefully makes her way down the stairs, one hand holding the banister, the other holding up one side of the dress, exposing her sexy as fuck calf, and the matching shoes that make my dick hurt.
The dress is form-fitting with a low sweeping neckline that just reaches her collarbones and long sleeves that reach her wrists. The back of the dress drops low, but not too low, just enough to show her sexy curves and enough to make a man drool.
She stops at the bottom of the stairs, drops her dress from her hand, and waits. She looks at the floor and then back up, her eyes darting between Carlos and me. Right now, I’d like to be the only one she’s looking at. I clear my throat and go to her.
I take her hand and kiss the top,“Sei squisita, Bella. Una gemma preziosa sicuramente in questo vestito.” (You look exquisite, Bella. A precious gem, to be sure, in this dress.)
She blushes; I think she prefers my compliments in Italian. Good to know. I stand up and look into her eyes. They are a brilliant shade of green, with the color of the dress enhancing them. She wears very little makeup, but she doesn’t need to.
“Turn, Bella. I have a gift for you.” I can hardly get the words out. My mouth is so dry.
She turns and I take the necklace out of my pocket. Standing behind her, I lean my face over her shoulder as I did when we cut the cake. Her back nestled in my chest. I softly kiss her under her ear and I can hear her sharp intake of breath as I slide the necklace around her throat. I clip it closed, slide my hand gently down the chain and press the diamond on her chest.
She reaches her hand up to touch the pendant, and our fingers touch briefly before she drops her hand right away and steps out of my embrace. She faces me and picks up the pendant. Her eyes go wide as she looks at me.
“You shouldn’t have Alexander. This whole thing was way over the top.”
