Page 68 of Deception

Isabella’s head tilts to the side, concern filling her eyes. “Why do you say that?”

“We all have things that we hide, a version of ourselves that nobody else sees.” I don't want to frighten her more than I already have, but I want her to see me, to fear me and run, or choose to stay.

“And the ‘real’ you, you’re afraid I won’t like who you are?”

“Usually, the people who see that side of me…well, it’s the last thing they see.”

Isabella nods, hugging her arms around herself. “What if I wanted to see it?”

A little huff of disbelief slips through my lips. There's something about the way she gets under my skin. No one's ever seen through me the way she does. And no one's ever been able to take as much as she already has.

But can I trust her?

There are questions that I need answers to. But every time I think about asking them I find myself biting my tongue or biting hers instead, diving back into bed to avoid the discomfort of uncovering a truth I can’t live with.

I suppose Adriano would say that living the way I do, always holding something back makes me paranoid that everyone else is doing the same.

Isabella circles the counter, resting her hand on mine. And, as if she's reading my thoughts she says, “You don't have to hold back with me.”

Does she know what she’s asking?

Maybe I can test the waters. Test her.

Our lunch is abandoned in a heartbeat as I pull her into me, wrapping my arm around her waist. My knuckle grazes just under her chin, then I grip her jaw, softly, with my entire hand, tipping her head back to look into her eyes.

“You might regret saying that,” I whisper but she holds my gaze, unwavering.

“You might regret it if you don't try,” she hums.

Our kiss is impactful, vicious.

We tear the robes from each other’s body, in a frenzy of desire. Fury rises in me like a tidal wave but I subdue it, leash it.

Until Isabella bites my lip, hard and sharp, drawing blood.

This.

The leash snaps.

This isexactlywhat I need, exactly what I want. Someone who's my equal. Who wants me as badly as I want them and will try anything. And I want to try everything with Isabella.

No halfway, no second-guessing.

All or nothing. I need her to succumb to my control. To put her life on the line for me. Go all in with every fiber of her being.

“Put your hands on the bar and do not move them.”

Her eyebrows rise incredulously. “Or what?”

The words are playful but her tone wavers, goosebumps pebbling across the expanse of her smooth skin.

“Or else you might not like what I do.”

“I think I'll be the judge of that.” She stares, challenging me as I circle around her, but she complies, setting her hands on the edge of the counter and giving me a look, jutting her ass out at me.

Her figure is alabaster perfection, a sculpture that no artist could capture.

She inspires me.

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