The knock on the door nearly makes me shriek. “Violetta, it’s time.”
I open my mouth to call out to Tristano and the normalcy of that stuns me, but also stops me. Talking to him is becoming second nature to me and I’m beginning to like it. People generally take speaking for granted, and even though I’ve had the ability all along, I couldn’t at times. Never mind the fact I had no one to listen to me.
Tristano opens the door and strides into the room like he owns the place. Then he abruptly halts, his gaze roving over my body like he owns that as well. I suppress the delicious shiver that tries to slide down my spine.
“You look…” He shakes his head and exhales. “I’ve never seen a woman more beautiful.”
My already flushed cheeks now burn with both embarrassment and gratification. His compliment means so much to me, possibly more than I’m even aware of. Or want to acknowledge.
“Thank you,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
His metallic-colored eyes are lustrous with appreciation and there’s something else, something I’ve never seen before. I try to discern what exactly, but he interrupts my perusal by lifting his arm for me to take.
“Come here.”
My body is already in motion, eager to fulfill his command before I’ve had a chance to properly think about it. I wind my arm through his and he tucks it to his side, bringing me close. Then he covers my hand with his.
“Trust me,ribelle.”
That direct order gives me pause. I lift my gaze to meet his and find that formerly unidentified emotion still present. It’s recognizable now that I’m near him and it’s not just in his eyes. A fierce need thrums through his body and rolls off him and onto me in waves.
Tristanoyearnsfor something. But what?
I nod my acquiescence. There’s definitely trust between us and I can give him that tonight. I’m just not sure if I can give it to him completely.
Because that would mean giving himallof me.
He turns inward, now even closer, and uses his free hand to take my chin captive. “I want you to say it.”
My face scrunches in confusion as I stare up at him. “Why?”
His eyes are hard and no longer clear. He’s thrown up a shield I can’t see through or penetrate. “Give me this one thing,” he says.
My mind instantly rebels, but my heart… It recognizes he wants me to give this to him, to offer it willingly. Tristano isn’t asking, but he’s not taking either. He simply desires my compliance in this instance.
“I trust you,” I say.
“Remember that.”
* * *
There are so many things I want to say, questions I want to ask Tristano, but with Beni and the driver present, I hold off. Instead of letting my anticipation build to the point of implosion, I stare out the car window and take in the various sights.
Colorful buildings of all shapes and sizes finally come into view after miles and miles of dense forest. We haven’t returned to the capital, but I’m not sure where we are now. Regardless of our location, this place is lovely, especially at night.
Nothing holds my attention like Tristano though.
Throughout the drive I sneak glances at him, not only to get a sense of where his head is, but to simply look at him as well. My attraction toward him has only grown and seeing him so finely dressed doesn’t hurt either. His black slacks, matching shoes, and blood red dress shirt make him look every inch the renowned but distinguished criminal mastermind he is. And not as though he’s going to prom, because then he’d be wearing a tuxedo.
The image of Tristano acting like a typical young man, arriving at the girl’s house to pick her up and placing a corsage on her wrist, is downright laughable. Even when he was a teenager, I bet Tristano was the same way he is now.
Commanding. Confident. Concise.
I picture him striding through the front door, curtly nodding to the girls’ parents before taking her hand and leading her outside. No pomp and circumstance. No frivolous things such as flowers and posing for photos. And definitely no dancing.
Although, given his physique and the way he moves, I highly suspect he’d be amazing at it.
My fabricated scenario brings a smile to my face. Tristano is solid, unapologetic, and immovable. All of these things make him reliable and safe, in my opinion. There’s no hidden agenda, no game, and you always know where you stand with him because he has no problem telling you.
