The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting soft golden streaks across the room. Dante stirred awake, his arm instinctively reaching for Isla’s side of the bed. He frowned slightly when his hand touched the empty sheets.
“Isla?” he called out groggily, his voice still heavy with sleep.
The sound of soft humming drifted from the adjoining bathroom. Dante leaned back against the headboard, a slow smile curving his lips as he listened. Moments later, Isla emerged, dressed in a pale lavender robe, her damp hair falling in loose waves over her shoulders.
“Good morning,” she greeted, tying the belt of her robe snugly around her waist.
“Morning,” Dante replied, his gaze following her every move. “You’re up early.”
Isla shrugged, walking over to the vanity to comb her hair. “Amara has show-and-tell today. I wanted to make sure everything’s ready for her.”
Dante got out of bed, the sheets pooling around his waist as he stretched. His muscles rippled with the movement, drawing Isla’s attention momentarily before she quickly looked away, pretending to focus on her hair.
“She’s going to be fine,” Dante said, walking up behind her. He placed his hands gently on her shoulders, meeting her gaze in the mirror. “You, on the other hand, seem tense.”
“I’m just making sure everything goes smoothly,” Isla admitted.
Dante leaned down, his lips brushing against the curve of her neck. “You worry too much.”
The soft, teasing warmth of his breath sent a shiver down her spine. Isla turned to face him, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
“You can’t distract me, Dante,” she said, though her voice betrayed her resolve.
“Can’t I?” he murmured, his arms sliding around her waist.
Isla’s hands rested lightly on his chest as she tried to maintain her composure. “We have a busy day ahead.”
Dante tilted her chin upward, his dark eyes locking with hers. “What’s a few moments for us?”
His lips found hers, slow and deliberate, as if savoring the taste of her. Isla melted into the kiss, her hands sliding up to tangle in his hair. The world outside their room seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in a bubble of shared warmth and desire.
When they finally pulled apart, Isla was breathless, her heart pounding against her ribcage.
“You’re impossible,” she whispered, a small smile tugging at her lips.
“I prefer persistent,” Dante replied, his grin boyish and unrepentant.
—
The rest of the morning passed in a blur. Amara’s excitement for her show-and-tell was contagious, and by the time they dropped her off at school, both Isla and Dante were smiling at her boundless enthusiasm.
“She’s going to charm everyone,” Isla said as they watched Amara run toward her classroom.
“She already does,” Dante replied, his voice filled with pride.
They spent the drive home in companionable silence, but as soon as they stepped into the house, Dante had other plans.
“Come with me,” he said, taking Isla’s hand.
“Where are we going?” Isla asked, laughing as he led her through the hallways.
“You’ll see,” Dante replied cryptically.
He guided her to the balcony outside their bedroom, where a small table had been set up with an assortment of fruits, pastries, and a bottle of champagne. The view overlooked the sprawling gardens, the vibrant colors of the flowers creating a stunning backdrop.
“Dante,” Isla said softly, touched by the gesture. “What’s all this?”
“A morning just for us,” he said, pulling out a chair for her.
They sat together, sharing the light breakfast as the gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming roses. Isla found herself relaxing more with each passing moment, the weight of her usual worries lifting.
“You’re spoiling me,” she said, taking a sip of champagne.
“You deserve it,” Dante replied, his gaze unwavering. “You’ve given me everything, Isla-love, trust, a beautiful family. It’s only fair I give you the same.”
Isla looked down at her plate, her cheeks flushing. “You’ve changed so much, Dante. The man I first met… he felt like a stranger. But now…”
“Now?” he prompted, his voice low and coaxing.
“Now, I see the man I’ve fallen in love with,” she admitted, her eyes meeting his.
Dante reached across the table, his hand enveloping hers. “And I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you, Isla.”
—
After breakfast, they found themselves back in their bedroom. Dante closed the door behind them, his eyes filled with an intensity that made Isla’s breath catch.
“We still have time before Amara gets home,” he said, his voice husky.
Isla laughed softly. “And what do you suggest we do with that time?”
Dante’s answer was wordless but clear. He pulled her into his arms, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was both tender and passionate. Isla responded with equal fervor, her hands clutching the fabric of his shirt as he backed her toward the bed.
They tumbled onto the soft mattress, their laughter dissolving into whispers and sighs. Dante’s touch was gentle but insistent, his hands mapping every curve of her body as if committing her to memory. Isla felt herself surrendering completely, her worries replaced by the warmth of his love and the strength of his embrace.
“I love you,” she whispered against his lips, her voice filled with emotion.
“And I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you just how much I love you,” Dante replied, his words a solemn promise.
Their world narrowed to the space between them, the outside world forgotten as they lost themselves in each other.
—
Later, as they lay tangled in the sheets, Isla rested her head on Dante’s chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
“You were right,” she said, her voice drowsy but content.
“About what?” he asked, his fingers lazily tracing patterns on her back.
“Taking a moment for ourselves. I needed this.”
“So did I,” Dante admitted, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
They stayed like that for a long time, the silence between them speaking volumes. For the first time in what felt like forever, everything was perfect. And neither of them wanted the moment to end.