Page 12 of Twisted Obsession

‘That’s some judgement.’

‘It is, and it’s okay because it’s normal.’ I nodded at her soothingly.

‘Normal?’ She laughed sarcastically. ‘I, unlike you, don’t live in a normal world.’ Standing herself taller, I saw the shy little girl show me the determined woman she hid inside herself.

‘You must have kissed someone before?’ I asked the question and instantly saw the truth in her eyes.

Well fuck.

There was innocent and then there was completely untouched, and at twenty years old it was rare to find a woman who was the latter.

‘That’s none of your business.’ She shook her head vehemently, her defensive words clarifying my belief, and inside the alpha male in me started cheering.

‘A man and woman wanting to be together is as old as time.’ I pushed my lips together and waited for her retort.

‘Really—try telling my brothers that,’ she interjected quickly, and looked around her in case any of them were in earshot of our forbidden conversation.

‘Like it’s okay to want to go away to university to study.’ I suddenly remembered a phone call I’d overheard between my sisters about how much Giovanna wanted to study music in Bologna, and how Salvatore was standing in her way.

I saw the surprise in her eyes as my words hit home. Taking my chance, I moved my hands and threaded my fingers through hers and after a few seconds of just standing there with my fingers delicately caressing hers, I brought her hand up to its previous position on my arm, and once again began to lead her inside.

I would have loved to hold her hand to offer her the reassurance I felt she needed as we strode through the people between us and the bar, but knew the action would not meet with the high standards of those in the antiquated society around us.

‘Do you really believe what you’ve just said?’ she questioned, as she smiled her greetings to several of the soldiers and their families as we passed by.

‘Yes… I’ve spent most of my life in England. Women have more choice over there.’ I nodded in acknowledgement to Ricco’s nephew, Lorenzo, who happened to be watching us intently as we passed the group he was stood with.

‘In what?’ She stopped dead, leaving the question hanging in the air around us.

‘In everything,’ I replied and looking down I gave her a reassuring smile. When she relaxed again, and continued walking, I discerned I’d won the first round. ‘Now, let’s start at the beginning, shall we?’

‘With?’ She tentatively asked the question, but couldn’t help the small smile that ghosted over her mouth.

‘With everything.’ I nodded at her and flexed my fingers over hers. ‘Hello, Giovanna. I think we’ve met a few times over the years as children. In case you don’t remember me… my name is Dante Alessandro Giordano.’

‘Oh, I remember you, Dante. Although, you’ve grown taller and broader since we last met.’ She smiled as she answered.

‘Then we’re off to an amazing start.’

‘We are?’ She grinned, apparently relaxing by the second.

‘Yep… because I remember you too, Giovanna,’ I gently rubbed my fingertips over the hand she still had in the crook of my arm, ‘and you’re even more beautiful than I could ever have dreamt about.’ Her face lit up at the compliment I’d just given her.

‘Thank you,’ she whispered.

‘Smooth enough?’ I teased and laughed a little. Then, clearing my throat, I carried on. ‘Now, love… what can I get you to drink?’ I asked the question as we reached the temporary bar inside my sister’s substantial villa and lifted my hand up to call the waiter over.

‘Just a soda please.’

‘No wine?’ I questioned, as I looked down quizzically at her.

‘No, I’m allergic to alcohol.’

‘Interesting… an Italian who can’t drink wine.’ She laughed a little at my teasing.

‘Two sodas please.’

‘So…’ I deliberately left the word hanging between us as I moved my head from side to side in mock deliberation. ‘Let’s recap. You remember me. I remember you, and you’re beautiful. You’ve noticed I’ve grown taller and broader since we last met… Do you think I’m good looking?’ I attempted to look at her in earnest.

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