Page 40 of His

My heart skipped a beat, excitement bubbling up inside me. “Deal.”

“Don’t make me regret this,” he added, a warning edge to his voice. “This is a world full of dangerous people.”

“I won’t,” I promised, my mind already racing with thoughts of what the evening might hold. “Thank you, Massimo.”

He nodded, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. “I’ll have something suitable arranged for you to wear.”

I couldn’t hide the smile that spread across my face.

Afew days later

The night of the ball had finally arrived.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the grand dressing room, hardly recognizing the woman staring back at me. The dress Massimo had arranged for me wasnothing short of breathtaking—a sleek silk gown in the softest shade of pastel blue that clung to my body in all the right places. The fabric shimmered subtly in the light, cascading down from my shoulders in smooth, elegant lines, hugging my curves before flowing into a gentle, floor-length train.

I ran my hands down the sides of the dress, feeling the cool, luxurious silk beneath my fingertips. It was the kind of dress that made you feel powerful, like you could conquer the world just by walking into a room. It made me feel like a queen. The color contrasted beautifully with my dark hair, which had been styled into loose waves that framed my face.

The neckline was modest yet alluring, dipping just enough to be elegant without being too revealing. The back of the dress was more daring, with a deep V that exposed the soft skin between my shoulder blades. I’d never worn anything quite like it before, and as I turned slightly to admire the dress from another angle, I felt a thrill of excitement mixed with nervous anticipation.

A pair of silver heels stood ready by the mirror, and on the vanity was a simple but stunning set of diamond earrings that Massimo had also provided. They sparkled under the soft light, catching my eye. I reached for them, fastening them carefully before slipping my feet into the heels.

As I stood up straight, taking in the full effect, a surge of confidence ran through me.

I felt like Cinderella.

The door to the dressing room opened quietly, and I turned to see Massimo standing there, his gaze sweeping over me with a mixture of approval and something deeper, something that made my heart skip a beat. He was dressed impeccably, asalways, in a black tuxedo that highlighted his broad shoulders and commanding presence.

It made me want to climb him like a tree.

“You look… absolutely stunning,” he said, his voice low and steady, but with an edge that told me he wasn’t just talking about the dress.

“Thank you,” I replied, trying to keep my voice calm despite the butterflies in my stomach.

Before I could say anything, he reached out, his hand cupping the side of my face. His touch was warm, steady, and possessive in a way that made my heart race. I could feel the roughness of his palm against my cheek, and it sent a thrill through me.

“Sofia,” he murmured, his voice low and gravelly. “You have no idea what you do to me.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat as he leaned in, his breath warm against my lips. There was a moment of hesitation, a heartbeat where the world seemed to stop, and then he kissed me.

His lips claimed mine with an intensity that left me breathless, his other hand sliding around my waist to pull me closer. I felt myself melt against him, my hands resting on his chest as I tried to steady myself.

My heart pounded in my chest, and despite the confidence I had felt just moments before, I found myself feeling shy, almost overwhelmed by the intensity of his desire.

But I didn’t pull away. I couldn’t. I wanted this—wanted him—more than I’d allowed myself to admit. His presence consumed me, and I found myself responding, my lips moving with his,my fingers curling into the fabric of his tuxedo as if I needed to anchor myself to him.

Massimo’s hand tightened on my waist, pulling me even closer until there was no space left between us. He broke the kiss just long enough to murmur against my lips, “You’re mine tonight, Sofia. No one else’s. Just mine.”

The possessiveness in his voice sent a shiver down my spine, but it wasn’t fear I felt. It was a heady mix of excitement and longing, the realization that I wanted to be his, that I craved this connection more than anything.

I looked up at him, my cheeks flushed, my breath coming in soft, uneven gasps. “Massimo…”

Massimo pulled back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes, his expression softening. His thumb brushed gently across my cheek, and for a moment, we just stood there, holding each other, the world outside forgotten.

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Sofia,” he said, his voice steady and full of promise.

“I know you won’t,” I whispered.

He smiled, a rare, genuine smile that made my heart flutter all over again. Then he kissed me one last time, slow and tender, as if sealing the promise between us.

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