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"Good.,” he said. He scrutinizes me a moment longer before dismissing me with a wave of his hand.
I leave the office, my footsteps echoing down the empty hallway.
Isabella's door looms at the end, a hulking shadow in the dim light. What if the Carlisis retaliate? What if they come for her, to use as leverage against us?
No. I won't let that happen.
I pause outside her door, listening. Silence within. She must be resting. I should leave her in peace for now. There will be time to talk of darker things in the morning.
For now, let her dreams remain untroubled.
Chapter 19
Isabella
IstrideintoIsabella’sroom, my heart pounding. “The Capo’s left town on business. We have the run of the place.”
Isabella’s green eyes light up. “A night out in the city then? Should we hit up a club? I haven't had a night out in ages. ”
I frown, shaking my head. “You know we can’t leave the compound.”
She laughs, the sound like music to my ears. “Loosen up! I was only joking. It’s just been so long since I’ve been out. Sometimes, I miss it. The carefree life I used to live when Papa was alive.”
Guilt washes over me. She's been cooped up here for months. I soften my tone. “Be ready at seven. I have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” Her eyes gleam with curiosity. “What is it?”
I shrug, a small smile playing on my lips. “You’ll see.”
With that, I turn and leave, already making plans in my head.
At seven, I return to find Isabella waiting in a little black dress that hugs her curves. My mouth goes dry at the sight of her. I’ve dreamed of peeling that dress off her body, of running my hands over her soft skin.
I clear my throat, shaking off those dangerous thoughts. “Are you ready?”
She nods, eyes bright with anticipation. I pull a silk blindfold from my pocket and step behind her. “I’m going to blindfold you. No peeking.”
My fingers brush against her neck as I secure the blindfold, sending a jolt of desire through me. I wonder what it would be like, to blindfold her in bed.
I want nothing more than to run my hands through her thick hair and kiss the soft skin under her ear. To tantalize her in unexpected places, surprise her with every move. Instead, I take her hand and lead her outside.
The tent I've set up is in the left corner of the compound, hidden away from prying eyes by thick foliage. It is lit with strands of fairy lights and filled with blankets, pillows and candles. A picnic basket holds fresh bread, cheese, fruits, olives and a bottle of champagne—Isabella’s favorites from what I've learned of her eating habits while living here.
I remove the blindfold, waiting for her reaction. She gasps, pressing a hand to her mouth. “You did all this for me?”
“For you, I’d do anything.” The words slip out before I can stop them. Heat rises in my cheeks but I don’t look away from her gaze. "I mean, while you're here under my safety."
She steps closer, her scent of jasmine and citrus enveloping me. I can feel the warmth of her body see the flecks of gold in her eyes. “Stefano, I—”
I don’t give her a chance to finish. I can't, when I'm so close to losing all perspective where this woman is concerned. But how can I resist?
"Isabella –" I whisper, inching closer.
I feel the urge to take her face in my hands, and kiss the living daylight out of her. But we stand there, skin to skin, almost, waiting for the other to make the first move.
For we already shared a kiss, while painting. That could be passed off as a mistake, in the heat of the moment, but once we open this Pandora's box, there'll be no forgetting the delicious sins we'd commit together.
She parts her lips, gently and I instinctively reach over and touch the corner of her lips, ever-so-slightly. She gives my finger a gentle kiss. I groan.
