29

ISABELLA
I spin around, trying to check out my reflection from every single angle. Mostly my butt. Dominic seems pretty fascinated with my ass, so I want to show it off.
Luckily, this little black dress he picked out for me fits perfectly, almost as if it was designed just for me.
How does he always do that?
I smile at myself, pleased to look good.
It’s been a long ass time since I’ve really been able to dress up and feel good. Even before I ended up in this stupid cabin. Life has been way too busy for dating and fun…
Not That this is a date.
I can’t start thinking about this as dating or this will end up a real issue.
I mean, thisisgoing to end. No doubt about it. Much as it’s much more fun than any kidnapping should be, I have to be careful with my heart.
But I don’t want to think about my heart right now.
Not when there’s a real buzzing in my underwear.
I slide open the night stand to put on a bit more lipstick, the one color I had in my handbag when I was taken, which is when my eyes catch a glimpse of my protector.
The gun.
Every time I see it, I think I could use it, end thisright now.
I could free myself in a heartbeat.
But not today.
That’s the conclusion I keep coming to.
Not right now.
I close the drawer once more, knowing that I’ll always have other chances.
After tonight, for example.
After dinner, I could maybe think about it.
We’ll see.
I paint my lips a little brighter, before checking myself out one last time.
The funny thing is I don’t really recognize myself. Who I’ve become since I’ve been here.
But at the same time, I also feel like I’ve become more likemethan I’ve ever been for a very long time.
I’m more confident and I feel sexier than I ever have done. Like I’m finally growing into my own skin. I didn’t know I needed that.
When I think back to the person I was before Dominic took me, I barely even remember her. She was so quiet, so busy, so focused on the clinic and trying to keep away from my family.
Now all my responsibilities feel a million miles away.
It’s nice.
I smile to my reflection one last time before it’s time to head out into the dining room to see what Dominic has planned for the night.
I can’t ignore the way my heart absolutely races when I lay eyes on him.
Damn, he’s looking good too.
That suit, whew. He’s hot!
Damn, how the hell am I ever going to find a guy who makes me feel this way again? Iknowthis can’t work, but I can’t stop myself from wanting it.
Really, I can’t imagine a night without him.
How fucking crazy is that?
“Smells delicious.”
He turns at the sound of my voice, smiling.
When he smiles like that, I can’t stop melting a little.
The nightmarish version of him is long gone from my brain.
“That dress looks really nice on you,” he declares with a soft smile curling up the corners of his lips. “But there is something missing.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
I can’t stop from resting my hands on my hips in irritation.
How dare he say that?
I spent ages getting dressed with very limited supplies. He kidnapped me with basically nothing. What did he expect?
“Oh, I know what it is.”
He steps closer to me, and I’m honestly about to throw hands.
Talk about punishingme, I think he’s the one who needs to be punished right now…
At least that’s how I feel until he pulls a small box out of his pocket. A long thin one which I’m pretty sure is from averyupscale jewelry store.
“I think you need this chain around your wrist.”
He clicks open the box and shows off a delicate little silver chain, which makes my heart race. The chain has little stars along it, which is really sweet.
“Wow,” I whisper. “I love it.”
No one has ever bought me something so nice before.
I can’t take my eyes off of Dominic while he clasps it around me. There’s something there in his eyes, something flickering, and to me, it might look like feelings.
Either that or I justwantfeelings to be there.
“This is really nice… thank you, Dominic.”
“There. Much better.”
Then he grabs my hand and laces his fingers through mine.
This feelswaytoo much like a date. I can’t handle it.
“Oh my God, this looks lovely.”
Dominic really has gone all out, and I can’t help wondering what’s happening here.
Is This a date?
Of course I’m not going to ask him because we’re on a tight rope right now and I don’t want to tip either of us over the edge. I’m enjoying this way too much.
He pulls out a chair and asks me to sit down, which I do. Does he know what effect he’s having on me right now? This gentlemanly behavior is crazy.
I’ve never been treated like a princess before!
Especially by someone who also knows just how rough I want him to be with my body when we’re getting down and dirty.
A shudder tears down my spine.
Is that going to happen tonight?
Right now it feels like anything could happen.
“I’m surprised you aren’t a cook,” I say with a laugh, trying to shake off all the thoughts plaguing me right now. “You’re very good at it.”
“Oh yeah? Well, maybe for a while I thought I might be. Like, when I was a kid.”
“That was your dream?”
He cocks an eyebrow at me. “Well, what was your childhood dream then?”
“I’ve always just wanted to help people, that’s it. Which is why nursing is for me.”
Unfortunately, nursing isn’t just about that. It’s about keeping my ear to the streets to hear what’s going on and filter the information to my father. Iwishit was just about helping people.
“That’s a good dream.” Dominic reaches out and takes my hand. “I’m sure you’ll be back to that sooner than you know.”
Who the hell knows when I’ll be back to my life, back to doing what I love the most.
That life feels so distant from me now, I can barely recall it.
It doesn’t feel real, only this does.
“Come on,” he says once my hand is in his. “Let’s dance.”
Music starts playing and I stare into his eyes as he pulls me close to him. Holding onto this man’s muscular body is the best feeling in the whole damn world.
I don’t think I’ve ever been asked to dance like this before.
Not to classical music while on a lovely date.
It feels a bit like we’re an old timey couple as we sway across the floor, holding gently onto one another as if we’re the only people in the world. I love it.
I can tell that he adores it too; his eyes flickering with delight.
The butterflies flapping in the pit of my stomach transform into the size of birds. I could assume that I’m just all fired up and turned on by this incredible man, but Iknowit’s something more.
The way I feel is dangerous.
It’s only going to get me in all kinds of trouble.
Instead of pulling back like I know I should, I grab hold of this gorgeous man, needing to taste him and I crash his lips to mine.
Fuck.
Intense fireworks.
Every single time.
As the kiss intensifies, so does the pressure I push against his mouth. I know Dominic likes it rough. I think he might have known that even before I came along, but he’s the one who brought that out of me.
But I love exploring it, pushing the boundaries and seeing what feels right…
But this time, he pulls back from me.
He edges away just a little bit.
If it isn’t for that soft smile playing on his lips, I might have panicked that I’ve messed up.
“Tonight,” he declares softly while lacing his fingers through mine once more. “I think we should try something a little different.”
Holy shit.
I kinda expect to panic, but that doesn’t happen either.
If he wants to try something different, then so do I.
It doesn’t even matter what that means.
I will do anything with this man, while I have him here.
He picks me up and lowers me down on my chair, watching as I bite my bottom lip.
“I’ve cooked dinner, and I think we should take our time to eat it.”
Ah, so he wants to slow things down.
Delayed gratification.
Sounds fun, but I don’t know if I have the patience for that.
Especially when my appetite is only for him.
The food might be delicious, but the tension is palpable. I canfeelhis powerful energy across the room, every inhale smells like sex but he’s far from giving me what I want.
This is torture.
Another kind of pain I never really expected to endure, and maybe even enjoy.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Dominic asks me, with a lilt of naughtiness lacing his tone. “You look like you might be wanting something else to eat.”
“Oh, I think you know what I want to be tasting.”
Impressed by my sassy answer, Dominic unbuttons his shirt and pulls it over his head. I’m practically salivating at the sight of his muscles, but that’s where he stops.
Oh fuck, he’sreallygetting off on torturing me.
Well, two can play that game.
I slide the straps of my dress off my shoulders, allowing my breasts to bounce free.
Fire flames in his gaze, licking heat all over my skin.
I smirk, loving playing him at his own game.
“Are you enjoying the food?”
He cocks a knowing eyebrow.
“Oh yeah, it’s really great, Dominic. You’re a good cook.”
I shimmy my dress down even further.
He follows my lead and peels off his trousers. As he rises to his feet, I notice scars running down his chest-not scars from the sort of fun that me and him have, but maybe from the military.
I would ask him, but I don’t want to break the magic of our eye contact right now.
Once his cock bursts free from his boxers, I can’t hold back anymore.
I get to my feet and yank my dress down, pulling my g string as I go.
I’m naked.
Standing right in front of the hottest silver fox on the planet.
Yet I don’t feel self conscious at all. I can tell he likes me, and that’s all I need.
I don’t want to eat anymore.
I can’t play any more games.
I sashay over to him and kiss him passionately, not holding back any longer.
But I don’t kiss his lips for long. I want to run my mouth down over his scars, letting him know that I like every part of him, even his past. Even the parts that he might not be so keen on himself.
“Fucking hell, Isabella.”
He knots his fingers up in my hair as I lower down to my knees between his thighs. He tugs a little, but he’s definitely being a little lighter this time.
This might be another thing that he’s trying to do a little differently.
I can work with that!
I run kisses up and down his shaft, shuddering with delight as I flick my tongue out, slowly circling it around him.
The taste of this man alone might be enough to completely tip me over the edge.
Who would have thought?