Dante moved closer, his hand still holding hers. She felt the heat radiating from him, his presence overwhelming in a way that made her heart race, her mind dizzy with emotions she hadn’t dared to admit. His gaze softened, yet held that intense, undeniable power.
His fingers brushed along her jaw, tilting her face up to meet his. “You’ve agreed to stand by my side, Isla. That means you’re mine now,” he murmured, his voice low and filled with promise. The words held a finality that both thrilled and terrified her. She knew there was no way back now.
Isla’s breath caught as he leaned in closer, his lips hovering just inches from hers. She could feel his breath, warm against her skin, and every inch of her was acutely aware of him-how close he was, how intense his eyes were as they roamed over her face, studying her expression.
“Are you scared?” he asked, his voice a soft, almost teasing whisper.
She nodded slightly, unable to find her voice. There was something in his eyes-a possessive fire-that made her feel both vulnerable and strangely safe.
Dante’s gaze darkened, and a smirk played at the corners of his lips. “Good,” he murmured. “You should be. But not of me.” And with that, he closed the remaining distance between them, capturing her lips in a kiss that was as intense and consuming as the man himself.
The kiss was fierce, igniting a spark that raced through her entire body. She gasped softly, but he didn’t pull away. His hand slid around her waist, drawing her closer until there was no space left between them. She could feel the strength in his arms, the certainty in the way he held her, as if he’d never let her go.
Her hands moved instinctively, finding their way to his shoulders, clinging to him as if he were her anchor in a storm. The intensity of his kiss left her breathless, and she felt herself sinking into it, losing track of everything else. In that moment, it was only him-Dante, with his dark gaze and the warmth of his embrace.
He pulled back just slightly, his forehead resting against hers. They were both breathing heavily, their breaths mingling in the small space between them.
“I’m not going to let you go,” he whispered, his voice low and rough. “No matter what. You’re mine now, Isla.”
She looked up at him, her heart racing, unable to hide the mixture of fear and excitement in her eyes. She knew he meant every word he said.
Dante’s gaze never wavered as he took her wrists gently in his hands, his touch firm yet surprisingly tender. Isla’s pulse quickened, an electric thrill running through her at the unexpected shift in his demeanor. The softness was new-an unfamiliar side of the man who had always been a mystery to her, someone she couldn’t quite read.
“You need to trust me,” he said, his voice a gentle command that brooked no refusal. She could feel the strength behind his words, and yet, she sensed a gentleness that reassured her. He guided her hands together, producing a pair of cuffs, their cool metal a stark contrast to the warmth of his fingers brushing against her skin.
Isla’s breath hitched as he fastened the cuffs around her wrists, not tight enough to hurt but just enough to hold her steady. She looked up at him, her eyes searching his face, trying to understand what he wanted from her in this moment. There was an undeniable intensity in his gaze, softened only by the faint hint of a smile playing on his lips.
Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of nerves and anticipation swirling within her. She couldn’t deny the magnetic pull between them, a force that left her breathless and unable to look away. Dante seemed to sense her hesitation, his hand coming to rest on her cheek, his thumb brushing gently across her skin.
“I told you, Isla,” he murmured, his voice low and steady. “You’re mine now. I want you to feel that. I want you to know you’re safe with me, no matter what.”
She nodded, swallowing hard as she held his gaze. There was a weight to his words, a promise she hadn’t expected but found herself wanting to believe. In his eyes, she saw a glimmer of something more-a depth of feeling she hadn’t realized he was capable of showing.
Dante’s hand lingered on her cheek, his thumb tracing gentle circles as he leaned in closer. His lips brushed against her forehead, a soft, almost reverent kiss that made her heart ache. She closed her eyes, letting herself melt into the warmth of his touch, feeling the strength of his presence surrounding her.
For a moment, they stood in silence, his hands steadying her, grounding her in a way she’d never experienced before. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, bound together by an unspoken connection that felt as inevitable as it was undeniable.
“Trust me, Isla,” he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.