"Would you have climbed out anyway?" His eyes dance with mischief as he spins me gracefully.
"To escape him? Absolutely."
"And to see me?" Alessandro's voice drops lower.
I look up into those dark eyes. "Yes."
The word hangs between us as we glide across the floor, other couples giving us a respectful berth. I'm acutely aware of every point where our bodies connect. His hand at my waist, my palm against his shoulder, our fingers intertwined.
"I've missed our conversations," I confess. "Everyone else treats me like a pet or a prize."
"And how do I treat you, Isabella?"
"Like an equal." I hold his gaze. "Like someone worth listening to." I just hope it’s not a show for my father. That it will continue after we’re married.
His fingers tighten around mine. "Because you are."
The music swells around us, and Alessandro pulls me closer, his cheek nearly touching my temple.
"Seven more days.” His breath is warm against my ear. "And then no one, not your brother, not your father, will stand between us."
The promise in his words sends a shiver through me, fear and anticipation mingling into something new.
"Is that a threat or a promise?" I ask.
Alessandro's smile is dangerous and beautiful. "Both."
"When the dance ends, I should return you to your family," Alessandro says, though his eyes communicate something entirely different. "After all, I don’t want to have to kill your brother."
"Of course not," I reply, knowing he’s not entirely kidding but responding as if he is. "The scandal would be terrible."
Alessandro leans closer, his lips near my ear. "The ladies' powder room is down the hallway, I believe. If you were to excuse yourself in about five minutes, I doubt anyone would find it suspicious." His voice drops even lower. "And if I happened to get lost looking for the bar around the same time..."
My breath catches. "That would be quite the coincidence."
"Indeed." His eyes darken with promise. "Coincidences happen all the time in places like this."
As he guides me back toward my parents, Alessandro's hand lingers at the small of my back. "Five minutes," he murmurs before stepping away with a respectful nod to my father.
I count each second, making polite conversation with my mother and her friends while anticipation builds inside me.
The thought of stealing a few private moments with Alessandro, away from watchful eyes, makes my skin tingle with excitement. Maybe this time, he’ll kiss me.
Honestly, I never understood the big deal about kissing… or sex, for that matter.
But now, with Alessandro, it’s like he’s a drug and I need a fix.
When the time comes, I excuse myself gracefully, citing the need to freshen up. I'm nearly to the hallway when Enrico materializes in front of me.
"Where are you going?" His voice drips with suspicion.
I arch an eyebrow. "To check whether my lipstick has smudged. Would you like to accompany me to the ladies' room? I'm sure it would make for interesting gossip."
His jaw tightens. "You think you're clever."
“And you’re annoying. Honestly, Enrico, shouldn't you be pursuing your own interests tonight rather than monitoring mine? Like perhaps that blonde by the champagne fountain who's been staring at you for the last twenty minutes?"
He glances over reflexively, his attention momentarily diverted.
