Page 24 of Our Darling Isabelle

“You could command an army of men to their knees, darling. You are a light in my dark world.” He whispers, his lips inches from mine. As I snort and shake my head, he frowns and takes a step back.

“There have been dozens of women who have thrown themselves at your feet, and I’m no different from them.” I mumble, grabbing a small black purse to shove tissues, lip gloss and extra hair ties into before feeling a little silly. Especially since I don’t have a wallet or a phone.

“No woman has ever brought me to my knees.” He snaps, making me turn to watch him drop to his knees with his arms open as if ready to worship the ground I stand on. I shake my head at him, feeling that same heat return to nestle into my heart as more than lust.

“Get up, you goofball!” I hiss, trying to pull him up, but he grabs the back of my knee, lifting it over his shoulder. I have to grab onto him to avoid falling back as a squeal slip past my lips in surprise at the sudden unbalance.

“Purple is my new favorite color.” He whispers after lifting my dress and pressing his lips to the fabric of my panties in a kiss that nearly knocks me off my feet. Of course, he means the pale purple panties that are now damp thanks to him.

“I would devour you if we didn’t have somewhere to be,” He grumbles before fixing the skirt of my dress and standing. Gone is the sensitive man kneeling for me, in his place is the powerful protector once again. Alec gently wraps his arm around my waist, guiding me through the house and outside while I sigh at myself. These men are going to destroy me one day and it mortifies me that I would let them.

When we get to the car, Alec lists off a few places and Jared nods, driving off without another word while we sat in the backseat. I bite my lip nervously, watching traffic out the window pass while Alec types on his phone. After about ten minutes, my anxiety becomes nearly unbearable as I keep replaying last night’s wreck. The stitches on my leg burn, the ones hidden in my hair do as well and my ribs ache as if angry when nausea rises.

“Isabelle?” Alec sounds as if he’s said my name more than once and I startle, looking at him with wide eyes. His brows pinched as he takes in my shaking hands that clutch my seatbelt. My lips part slightly while I struggle to catch my breath and a cold sweat beads my eye brow, threatening to spill and mix with the tears brimming my eyes. Realization slackens his features as he pockets his phone and unclips his own seatbelt before sliding up to me.

Even though I want to, I don’t protest when he unbuckles me. My jaw is so tightly locked that I should be concerned about my teeth. But fear has gripped me in a way I never expected. Alec sits me in his lap, with my knees on either side of his, and wraps his arms around me protectively. I finally find my voice. “What are you doing?” I ask.

“Taking care of you.” He says, pressing a button that raises the partition to separate us from the front of the car.

“I want to get out.” Panic grips my throat, making my voice little more than a strangled squeak, but Alec shakes his head as his fingers hike my dress higher.

“Just look at me, darling.” His voice is calm, an anchor trying to keep me from flying away. He drags his knuckles over the front of my panties, pushing my thoughts towards somewhere else. I roll my hips, grinding against his touch with desperation to lose myself. Alecs fingers slip under the damp fabric, gripping them as his featherlight touch teases me until he rips them from my body. My mouth falls open as cool air hits my exposed skin, and I watch as he throws the destroyed panties onto the seat beside him.

“Those are mine now, for my growing collection.” He smiles wickedly before sinking two fingers inside me. I cling to him, dropping my forehead onto his shoulder as he expertly curls his fingers, making me whimper against his neck.

“Feel how wet you are for me?” He whispers, pumping his fingers in and out of me faster as he fucks me with them. I try to lift my hips, vaguely aware of the wetness dripping down my thighs and the wet sucking sounds that fill the small space.

“Your pants will get ruined.” I groan, unable to stop the building orgasm. I’m not sure I would even if I could with how incredible he feels inside me.

“Good, I want everyone to see what we’ve done.” He bites my nipple through the fabric of my dress while his thumb finds my sensitive clit, swirling it and throwing me into the rush of an orgasm. I bite his shoulder trying to silence my cries as I clench around his fingers, sparks dancing behind my eyes.

“Good girl.” He whispers, dragging his hand away and licking his fingers clean, eliciting a shiver from me. The two of them act as if I’m the most thirst-quenching drink they’ve had, and I was going to get an ego if they didn’t stop. That’s when I realize the car has stopped moving and I glance out the dark tinted windows, looking up at a shop I have never been to before.

“Thank you.” I say, biting my lip and looking away. Alec blows out a frustrated breath from his nose before pinching my chin to make me meet his eyes.

“You are mine. Whenever you need anything, it is my responsibility to provide it. Your pride be damned. I will take care of you.” He says with finality in his tone, kissing away any argument I might have had. I pull back and give him a small nod, but I can’t accept being his if I want true freedom. One day, they will get bored with me, or my mother will come crawling back to ruin anything we might have.

I get off Alec’s lap, fix my skirt, and grab my torn panties. Sighing and shaking my head, I drop them into Alec’s open hand.

“Eventually, I’ll run out of panties if I keep spending time with you.” I grumble, making him smirk, but he pockets them with a shrug.

“Then stop wearing them.” he says as if it’s the most obvious answer, opening his door and holding his hand out to help me. Jared follows behind while Alec drops a hand to my lower back, guiding me to the giant doors as I try to dig my heels in. Mannequins line the windows and I groan at the exquisite dresses covering their plastic bodies.

“I can’t afford anything in there.” I whisper to Alec, but he rolls his eyes and pushes me through the doorway. They perfumed the air with a sickly sweet smell and music chimes softly through hidden speakers. Hanging chandeliers make me crane my neck as I stare in awe at the massive expanse of the multi-level store. A woman is standing near the entrance with a nervous smile, her hands clasped behind her back as she steps up to greet us. The fine lines on her face and cheeks look deepened with fear, and I notice she avoids eye contact.

“Mr. Barone, welcome. It is an honor to be of service today.” She gives a tight smile. A younger woman saunters up, wearing a penciled skirt and tight silk blouse. She tucks a strand of blonde hair back into her bun, batting her thick eyelashes at Alec shamelessly. I groan internally, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at the way she hungrily looks him over.

“Alec, always a pleasure.” She nearly purrs before looking at me with mild disgust.

“Lana will be your assistant today, don’t hesitate to ask her for anything.” The first woman says, turning on her heels to scurry away. This was going to be a nightmare and pinching myself wouldn’t save me. Miss perky looked like she wanted to jump Alec right then and there, the thought makes me bristle and ruins my good mood.

“Lana, Isabelle could use a new wardrobe. Whatever she wants, she gets.” Alec says, only sparing her a glance before he takes my hand. Lana frowns at our joined hands before putting a fake smile on.

“Of course, Alec. If your mistress would follow me this way, I’m sure we have something that would make her look decent.” Her underhanded comments make my lip curl as we walk towards a rack of dresses. I bite my lip as I pick at the tags, the price on them making me drop them quickly. Alec takes my chin in his hand but I push him away.

“Alec, I don’t need this fancy stuff. Where would I even wear half these clothes?” I ask, crossing my arms while he stares at me like I’m a child throwing a fit.

“Stop that. Go to a dressing room. I’ll have Lana bring you everything I pick out.” He says. The idea of him being alone with Lana pisses me off and she looks more than pleased. I throw my arms around his neck and make a show of dragging my tongue over his lip before he growls, capturing my mouth in his and gripping me tightly to him.

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