Page 46 of Bound to You

He catches Stefan’s attention as he is zooming past, whispering something to him before turning his attention back to me and extending his hand once more.

That look on his face washes away any of my resolve, he has the ability to do that with that sparkle in his eye, and it’s dangerous for me. I’ve never been able to say no to him. I was hoping it was a one-time thing that first day that we went to the fair. Little did I know then that I had no chance against the pull that keeps forcing me into his proximity at every turn.

By the time we have walked out onto the dance floor, the music has changed to a sultry tune and turned up a notch. Caio leads me out dramatically before spinning me around. We catch the eye of the people surrounding us and slowly a few couples start to make their way out to join us.

Caio quirks a brow at me as if to saynot dancing music, huh?as he draws us together, I look down at my feet, avoiding his gaze as the edges of my mouth turn up.

He’s takes one of my hands in his as the other falls to my waist and we begin to sway back and forth.

“You didn’t tell me you run a charity organization.”

“You didn’t ask.”

“Do you only share things when people ask?” I say.

“No, generally I don’t share much at all, but I’ll tell you anything you want to know, Isla.” His eyes pierce mine.

God, I can’t keep my head straight when he looks at me like that, when he’s so close that I can smell the cologne on his skin and see the shadow of his freshly shaven stubble. So close that I can see every single one of his long, dark eyelashes that frame those ocean eyes of his.

“Why did you start it? This program?”

His finger begins to trace circles on my back as he answers. My skin tingles at the touch. “I grew up extremely privileged. I had my future laid out for me ever since I was young, expectedto fall into step behind my father, opening a Marchetti hotel of my own. I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to do something of my own, and when I abandoned that future, my family abandoned me.”

I slide my hand up and around his neck, wanting to touch him, to comfort him as he opens up to me.

“When I moved here, I didn’t know where to start, I didn’t have anyone to help me professionally. Of course I met people like Nora who were my saving grace, helping me find my feet here, but business wise I was on my own.” I nod in encouragement as he carries on.

“It all worked out well in the end of course, and I learned a lot observing my father when I was young, not that I wanted to be like him,” he looks around the room. “I actually wanted to be the exact opposite. Instead of tearing other people down, I wanted to help young people get a leg up in this world. I wanted to be that person who they could go to. But I’m not narcissistic enough to think I know everything, so I roped in Rafael, and he helped me put this whole thing together. It started with just the two of us, but as we wanted to expand our reach, we started getting in contact with other business people we know in the area and beyond, and here we are. It’s something both of us are really proud of, something I hope will sustain our time,” he smiles.

“You’re incredible.” The words slip out of my mouth in a whisper.

He smiles at me like I’ve just given him the golden ticket, but he stays quiet, his finger still drawing patterns on my back.

“What made you want to leave?”

“My privileged life?”

I nod.

“Well, you know who my parents are. From early on I knew I didn’t want to open a Marchetti Hotel. I wanted to make a namefor myself separate from my fathers, and it was either do what they say, or leave, so I left.”

I move my hands up to rest behind his head, fiddling with the ends of his hair. “I’m sorry, Caio.”

He tsks before looking back at me. “No apologies, sweetheart.” He’s called me that more than once tonight and my heart feels like it’s doing cartwheels in my chest every time.

“I haven’t seen them since that day, I was twenty-one, so I’ve had plenty of time to come to terms with it.” He says it with such a casual indifference, but there’s no way it doesn’t still sting to think about it.

I couldn’t imagine my parents cutting me off at twenty-one and uprooting my life to move across the world to start new. Despite everything Caio has been through he’s not bitter. I can’t say the same about myself, and my parents didn’t abandon me, they just wanted something different for me, I guess. Maybe I should pick up the next time my mom calls.

“You’re truly a good man, Caio Marchetti.”

“Careful,” Caio warns, tightening his grip around my waist. “Don’t boost my ego too much Isla, I’ll get a big head.” He winks at me, and I nearly stumble in my heels.

“Your turn,” he says, and my eyes flick back to his. “Will you tell me what I want to know if I ask you?”

“Depends on the question,” I say.

“Why did you stop painting?”

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