7. Isabella
seven
Isabella
I open the door of my apartment and before the door closes, I kick off my heels, place my purse and files on the table beside the door, and switch on the side lamp. Just enough light to allow me to see around me.
I pull the edges of my blouse from my skirt and unbutton it. I need to get out of what I wore for the last fourteen hours. After that, I need to take a shower, but first I need a drink and food if there is some in the fridge.
I open the fridge, take the wine, and drink directly from the bottle, letting the cold liquid slide down my throat. Next, food that I don’t have. A couple of containers of old takeout stare at me, begging me to throw them out.
Why do I have no food in my fridge?
Because I’m never home, and besides, cooking reminds me of things I avoid remembering.
I know how to cook. Well, not everything, but enough. Sitting in the kitchen and watching my mama cooking had an influence on me. I close the fridge, knowing I’ll need to order some food.
I take a few more sips before turning around and placing the bottle on the counter, smiling from the inside at the little things I do just to remind myself I do not need to please anyone. Just as I go to walk out and into the bathroom, a figure leaning on the wall in the corner of the living room catches my attention.
Tall, broad-chested, with his arms and legs crossed. How did he get through my security system? I would recognize this man anywhere.
Even weeks after, I can still feel his presence and his hands touching my skin. I haven’t been able to let go of that feeling ever since.
After the fear of getting caught vanished, I realized I never felt like that before. Never had a man affected me that way. His hands manhandling me had got me high, wanting more. But that was so wrong, so I did what I do best to suppress my feelings and needs or, better yet, question them and my decisions. I buried myself in work.
If only the work didn’t include him. If only he wasn’t the story I’m working on.
Searching for weapons to defend myself makes little sense. If he wanted to hurt me, he already would have.
“Mr. Catalano, what a pleasure. Is this your night job, lurking in the dark?” I take a step forward, stopping in front of the counter that separates the kitchen from the living room.
He pushes himself from the wall, placing his hands in the pockets of his slacks as he takes slow, steady, and calculated steps in my direction. The action makes my stomach flip. I grip the edge of the counter and lean forward, wetting my lips with my tongue as I watch him coming closer to me.
His low voice sends tremors down my spine, reminding me once again of the feeling of his hands. “Sometimes.” A dark chuckle comes out of his mouth. “See, I don’t like being disregarded. And you did exactly that.” With the last step, he stops in front of me on the opposite side of the counter. Hardened face, black eyes, and in all his immaculate glory.
He could take just a few more steps and be in front of me. He could put his hands on me like the last time. My body shivers just thinking about it. I bite my lower lip and shake my head.
Unfortunately, my hitched voice gives me away. “Is that so?” I clear my throat and swallow. “If that’s what you think, you are in the wrong place. I don’t see anyone here that should abide by your demands.”
He drags his intense gaze from my face down my body. The intensity of his blue eyes makes me want to take a step back, but I refuse to. I want to explore the feeling. I want to break down his facade and bring out his true colors.
“I told you to forget about my name and to stay away from my business.” He shakes his head. “You just didn’t listen, and you started asking questions that have nothing to do with the subject you told me about. The alleged affair.” He raises his eyebrows. “Questions that have raised my concern, Ms. Roberts.”
I swallow before speaking, this time more confidently. “What can I say? You made a very interesting first impression on me, Mr. Catalano.” I raise my eyebrow and smirk at his clenched jaw and flaring nostrils that are opposite from the emotions in his eyes.
I brush off his warning expression. “How did you get through my security system?”
He takes the few steps around the counter, his eyes never leaving mine until he is standing in front of me.
I don’t move.
If I was sane, I would grab something for a weapon, but he has me under his spell.
Leaning in, he cages me with his hands on the counter. I’m a tall woman but I still need to tilt my head to look at him, not breaking the eye contact for a second. Even if my heart is beating so hard that it might explode.
“Did I?” Tilting his head to the side, his eyes roam over my face. “And why is that?” he asks. The tip of his tongue peeks out and my eyes follow the action as he wets his lips, forgetting all about what I asked him.
“Why what?” My eyes jump to his, realizing the situation I’m in.
“How did I leave an interesting impression?” His husky voice causes goosebumps on my body.
Trying to sober from his presence, I take a step back, a small one because I’m pinned between the counter and Salvatore. “You threatened me, and I don’t like to be threatened. I take it as a challenge, a puzzle I need to solve, and you are an interesting puzzle.” At least some of that is legit.
“You don’t want to know about me. Leave me out of your story. The senator’s wife, however, I don’t care about. She is no longer welcome in my hotel.”
“Isn’t that going to get more attention on you?” I ask.
“I don’t care. Drop the story and the search for things that don’t exist. I’m warning you for the last time.” His tone cuts deep down in my stomach. I swallow and bite on my lower lip, his eyes watching my action.
“And if I don’t?” I breathe out, daring him. His eyes flash with a fraction of interest before his hand wraps around my neck, just like the other night as he closes the distance between us and robs me of my breath. His suit jacket brushing the bare skin of my belly reminds me that I unbuttoned my blouse as soon as I came home. But once again, I get distracted by his muscular thigh pressed against my core.
“You don’t want to cross me, Ms. Roberts. This is your last warning, otherwise you will bear the consequences.”
I should be scared, but I’m not.
“Are you threatening me?” I push against his grip. He’s bigger, stronger, and could just squeeze my neck with his hand. Regardless, I have a feeling he wouldn’t, even if my suspicions and the rumors are true. There is a moral code every mafia goes by, and if my suspicions are correct, he will not kill me. His jaw ticks, his eyes dark and dangerous.
Just as I thought he would unleash his anger on me, he crushes his lips on mine. With one hand around my neck and the other on my lower back, he presses me toward his hard body, his lips attacking mine, his tongue parting my lips, pushing inside. And I let him.
Our tongues clash, and my hands find their way to the lapels of his suit jacket, pulling him to me. I can feel tremors down my spine and in my stomach, the carnal desire that I feel is robbing me of my breath. The tingling feeling in my core wants more than the kiss. His hand grabs my ass, pressing me even more to him. Feeling his hardness digging into my stomach, I let out a moan in his mouth.
And just like that, the spell has been broken.
He stops and pushes away from me like he’s on fire. Fighting for air, I look at him, his eyes burning with fury and his anger taking over.
“This is your last warning. Stay away from my business. You won’t like the outcome.” His low voice leaves me shivering.