Page 11 of Her UnBearable Protector

“No, not me.” She touched her napkin to the corner of her mouth and smiled. “I take after my mother in size and I knew from early on that the fashions in the Durante House lines were made for other women. And yet, my mother was always impeccably dressed and held herself with such poise. I knew I wanted to dress like she did, but I never saw her shopping for clothes. So, while she made these amazing couture garments for shows and the retail lines, she would hide away at night and make her own garments.

“That she felt she had to hide when she made her own clothes seemed like such a crime.” Natale set down her fork and took another small sip of wine. “I wanted to bring it all out into the light. No woman should have to hide her beauty behind closed doors, nor should she have to wear a long sheath, almost a tent-like dress, and think that’s all there is.”

“Why do the others care so much?” His plate was nearly untouched. Salvatore was hungry, but his first concern was Natale, he would always take care of her first. “Why would they care what you design?”

“Fashion should be progressive, they say. The phrase ‘fashion forward’ is always bandied about, but what they mean is if you’re thinking in ‘their’ direction. Fortunes are made and lost on a collection and setting a trend. They don’t want what I have to offer.” She gave him a sad little smile. “Durante is a well-respected house, one of the five oldest in Italy. I think they’d rather we wallow in mediocrity until the whole company falls into obscurity.” She sighed. “They don’t see that making a collection of clothes that’s meant for everyone’s form and proportions is a good thing, widening the audience for fashion. They say that I’m lowering the standard of fashion. I’m just changing the shape.”

He could see how much her thoughts were weighing on her and there was no use to continue going over it more at the moment. Once she’d spoken of the issues, the smile had faded from her lips and the corners of her eyes were tight and drawn.

His bear, was upset, at him. And even without words, Salvatore understood the message pushing into his thoughts.

Woo her, now.

Salvatore knew it wasn’t the time, but his bear certainly had a one-track mind.

Then she yawned, stifling it behind her hand with a soft chuckle. “Sorry, we’ve been working twelve to fifteen hour days.” Her shoulders sagged a bit. “So, I’m a little tired.”

His response was obvious and immediate. “Then you should sleep, Natale. I’ll have Uberto come in the morning to review the information your father is preparing for us.”

She nodded and got up from the table, reaching for her plate. He covered her hand with his and saw the startled look in her eyes. “Leave the dishes, I have them.”

Natale blinked up at him. “You weren’t hired to do my dishes.”

He shrugged off the comment. “Go, get in bed, and I’ll sleep in one of the other bedrooms.”

She winced, her teeth clenched together. “There really isn’t another bedroom besides mine.”

His gaze narrowed in confusion. “The plans for your apartment,” he could see her shock that he’d checked on the layout of the apartment, “showed three bedrooms.”

“Three, yes,” she smiled and Salvatore struggled with the urge to pull her into his arms. It wasn't just his urge after all. It was his bear, as well. His bear wanted Natale. Wanted her naked and willing under him, over him, wrapped in his arms. But based on the look she was currently throwing in his direction, that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

He was thankful that Natale couldn't hear his thoughts. She was too busy trying to explain herself to care. “It was built with three bedrooms, but I needed room for my design library and sewing machines,” she gave him a smile and nibbled on her bottom lip for a moment, “and my fabric. Remember while you were checking the rooms, you didn’t see beds in there, right?”

He nodded, but his focus was the pale line along her lip where her teeth had pressed into the full flesh, and it wasn’t just his bear that wanted to touch. He wanted to nibble on her lip, roll the flesh between his teeth, soothe the sting with his tongue.

He almost missed the fact that she was still talking.

“… I can get you a hotel room nearby-”

He didn’t think about a reaction, he just moved. A heartbeat later he was touching her, hands on her shoulders, his eyes searching her stunned expression.

“I'm staying here with you, Natale.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He could feel her breathe as if his lungs were the same as hers, connected somehow. It wasn't the only thing that he could feel. He was sure, deep in his chest where his heart beat out a frantic rhythm, that Natale Durante was his mate. The mate that he'd traveled through three countries to find.

He watched her blink back at him, and then nod. A slight bob of movement as she swallowed, and his eyes went straight to the pulse that throbbed just beneath her skin. And then the pale perfection of her flesh where her shoulder met the untouched column of her neck.

He licked his lips, almost tasting the sweet flavor of her skin, and his bear pushed forward, demanding a taste like a midnight snack.

“Fine.”

Her tone was slightly sharp, but he heard the breathy tone in her voice, felt the heat rising from her skin.

“You can stay here, but I’m the only one sleeping in my room.”

There was hesitation in her voice and he remembered her conversation with her assistant. Had Natale been joking about her interest in him? He felt a shove from within. His bear was upset, trying to move him to act and convince her to keep him closer. He knew he wouldn’t be able to push her into changing her mind and he didn’t want to. He’d take the time to seduce his mate, to have her wanting him close.

Tonight she was tired, her life was changing in ways she’d never considered before, and he was going to let her have her space.

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