Page 91 of The Veil

Placing my arms under her back and knees, I carried her with the large blanket inside placing her on the bed in her spot.She was still wrapped tightly in it and I did not want to bother her, so I knelt over her, adjusting a pillow under her head to make sure she was comfortable.

I would sleep on the sofa in the room to give her space.As I began to back away, her eyes fluttered open.She glanced up at my face and I reached over, running my fingers through her hair.Her heavy eyelids fell closed again and I slowly backed off the bed.

I stood, admiring her for a few moments before I turned to walk away, but I was not able to move. My eyes fell on her once more and I was enthralled in her inner and outward beauty.She was simply amazing.

Fuck it.

Carefully and as quietly as I could, I inched into bed, kneeling over her body once more.Bending down, I placed a gentle kiss on her forehead then moved my lips to her ear. I needed her to know how I felt.

“I love you too, Isabelle.”

19 Visitors

I opened my eyes as the morning light shone into the bedroom. Gently warming my face, I rubbed my eyes. Suddenly, I realized that I was in the bed and not still outside on the terrace. He must have carried me to bed at some point during the night.

Smiling, I rolled over, excited to see he was okay, but my heart instantly sank when I discovered that he was not next to me. I ran my fingers up and down the cool sheets where he would normally have been. Sighing, I turned back over, picking up my phone off the nightstand, checking the time. I could not believe it was almost noon!

Jumping out of bed, I sprinted to my suitcase, slipping on a cute, white, off-shoulder floral romper. Then, I gave myself a quick glimpse in the mirror. I paused, thinking about last night and that I had ruined the moment by telling him I loved him. I groaned in disgust with myself as I reached over to the dresser, grabbed a hair tie, and pulled my strands up into a stylish messy bun.

As I trudged down the hallway, I heard familiar voices in the living room, but they stopped the moment I came to the top of the stairs. Tanya and William stood in front of Valentino. All their eyes met mine the minute they noticed me.

Valentino slid his hands into his pockets, smiling up at me then nodded his head, indicating he wanted me to join them. William chewed on his bottom lip studying me. Tanya took off jogging up the stairs, meeting me halfway. She threw her body into mine, gripping me tightly in a hug.

“I freaking missed you!” she wept on my shoulder.

I began to tear up as well, “I missed you too.”

We pulled away from one another and she held my hands in hers, looking into my eyes, “Listen I'm so sorr--.”

I shook my head, smiling, “Valentino explained everything, it's okay.”

None of that mattered any longer. I just missed my best friend. She wiped away her tears as I glanced over to the guys who were watching our exchange. She hugged me once more before we made our way over to where they were standing. Valentino held his arm, pulling me into his side the minute I approached. Tanya raised her eyebrows at me, smirking before leaning into William for a side hug.

“I need a moment alone with Isabelle,” he announced, “so why don't you guys go get settled in and we’ll meet back in here in a bit.”

They nodded in unison.

“Isabelle--,” William cleared his throat, but paused, trying to figure out what to say next.

My gaze met his. “It’s okay, you don’t have to say anything.”

He nodded as we both understood that he was trying to apologize. I was happy to see them reunited and her with us. Tanya stepped forward, giving me another hug.

“We have so much to talk about!”

I giggled, pulling away and rolling my eyes, “Later.”

“Come on,” Valentino ordered as he placed his hands on my hips, guiding me up the staircase. He turned to William and Tanya. “You girls can talk in a bit.”

He ushered me back to the bedroom, closing the door behind him. Instantly, his gaze became predatory as he backed me against the wall, pinning my arms above my head by my wrists. His lips immediately found my neck. His warm breath sent shivers down my spine as he brushed his lips across my soft, sensitive skin.

Aggressively, he covered my flesh in kisses, trailing to my lips before harshly probing his tongue into my mouth. My body was beginning to betray me as I weakened. He snickered, supporting my body so I would not crumble to the floor. Pulling away, he kept his gaze locked on mine as he ran his fingers through my hair.

“In case you didn't hear me last night,” he sighed, “I want to tell you again.”

Quizzically, I tilted my head, confused.

Cupping my cheeks in his hands, he smirked, “Isabelle, I love you. I fell in love with you a long time ago, but I had to fight it.”

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