A bit of fun

Stephano

She gasped into my mouth, her body pressing closer as her hand trailed down my chest, fingers grazing my abs before finding their way lower, teasingly caressing my length through my pants. I groaned softly as her hand teased through the fabric, her touch sending a shudder through my body.  Then, I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket, vibrating against my thigh. I hesitated, ignoring it at first, but it buzzed again, more persistently this time.

I pulled back, my lips slowly peeling away from Isabella’s, leaving her with a soft moan escaping her mouth. Her hands were still on me, one pressed against my chest, the other tangled in my hair like she couldn’t let go. My hand, still resting on her waist, slid down slightly, my fingertips trailing down her back and found her soft buttocks, cupping it. She giggled. I offered a sudden arresting smile. I was pretty sure she found it impossible not to return.  She liked it. Of course, she did. 

I glanced at the screen, and there it was, Camilla’s name, glaring up at me. I gritted my teeth. Of all the times for her to call. I ignored the call, slipping it back into my pockets.

I glanced down at her lips, swollen, red from the force of the kiss. She looked down, shyly, a smile trembling over her lips. A devilish look came into my eyes. Good. That was what I wanted. 

I met her eyes, my gaze steady, as I said, “She’s no one, Isabella. No one.” I said, the huskiness lingering in my tone. I looked upon her face for any sign of objection. She glanced at me but I didn't give her a chance to answer. I took her hands in mine, squeezing them softly. I needed her to believe it.

Isabella stared at me for a second, then nodded slowly, her lips still parted, her breath a little herky-jerky. She wanted more, to know more, I could see it in the way she looked at me, like she was waiting for something. But she didn’t push. Not this time.

Good, I thought, watching her. It was satisfying how easily I had her handled. She was so predictable, so easy to manipulate with a kiss, a touch. Always so eager for attention, for affection, and I knew exactly how to give her just enough to keep her quiet.

The tightness in my chest began to ease. For now, at least, I had her right where I wanted her. And Camilla? She was no one. Just like I’d said. I’d deal with her later. But for now, I had Isabella pacified.

I stepped back, my hand sliding off her waist as I adjusted my suit, straightening my collar. “Let’s go,” I said, pressing the elevator button to unlock it. 

Isabella tucked her arm in mine, her body leaning against me as we walked. I could feel her finally relax, her steps more in sync with mine. I wiped the lingering gloss from my lips with the back of my hand. That sticky shiny residue coming off on my hand.

She gave me a black layered look, lips puckered in annoyance, eyebrows drawn together. She loosened her grip on my arm, folding her arms. She glared at me, frowning. I could feel the question bubbling up in her before she even said a word. Her annoyance seemed to increase, when I wiped off the rest with the pad of my thumb.

I exhaled a long sigh. My gaze came to rest on her questioning eyes. “Come on, love. We don’t want anyone knowing what we’ve been up to.” My tone was playful, light, but inside, I was hoping it would keep her from digging any deeper.

Isabella didn’t bite. She studied my face unhurriedly, feature by feature. “Why not? I mean… we’re together, aren’t we?”

That word together. It felt like a leash around my neck, the same way pet names sounded in my ear. I didn’t want to answer, didn’t want to be trapped by her question, because the truth was, I wasn’t sure I even believed it myself. We had an arrangement. She had her role to play, and I had mine. Together? That sounded permanent. Permanent like a damn prison.

I grunted, pretending not to hear her at first, though I knew she wouldn’t let it slide. I glanced down at her, mustering a smile. She looked up at me, her eyes expectant, waiting for a real answer. I wasn’t ready for that conversation. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be ready. Isabella and I… it worked because it wasn’t serious. It couldn’t be. I wasn’t the type to be caged. Not by her, not by anyone.

“Don’t worry so much,” I said, deflecting, my voice smooth. “You know how people gossip. It’s better this way.”

But the truth? That word together  it scared the hell out of me. It sounded final. Like I’d have to give up this freedom, this life I’d built where I didn’t answer to anyone. She and I had something fun, something that satisfied a lot of needs, but I wasn’t about to sacrifice my liberty for good sex. I was born to roam, not be tied down, not even for her.

“Isabella, come on," I said, trying to keep my tone light, like I wasn’t fully aware of what she was angling for. 

She turned her nose up, transferring her gaze to me. Her mouth dipped to an even deeper frown. “I asked you a question, Stephano.”

I glanced sideways in surprise. I measured her with a cool appraising look.

Okay! She was serious. Isabella rarely called me by my actual name unless we were about to dive into some heavy, serious conversation I’d rather avoid. Stephano. It felt strange hearing it from her lips, too formal, too confrontational, like a sign flashing that this conversation was about to head somewhere I didn’t want it to go.

I sighed inwardly, already bracing myself. This was what she wanted, wasn’t it? A leash around my neck. Funny thing was, she already had it. If I was being honest, I’d never stuck with one woman for this long. Isabella and I… we’d been at it for two years now. Two years. Not something I usually did. And it wasn’t because I was trying to give her anything more. It just worked. For us both.

But the word together? It sounded… wrong. Too permanent. Too settled. I hated the way it made me feel like I was being backed into a corner. We’d been doing this for two years, sure, and it had been good, for both of us. But how much more permanent did she need it to be? Wasn’t what we had enough?

I knew she wanted the title. She didn’t say it outright, but I could see it in her eyes, the way she’d drop hints in her questions, the way she’d bring up the idea of “us” more and more lately. 

Girlfriend. 

That was what she wanted. But deep down, we both knew what this was. It wasn’t a relationship. Well, it was… a sexual kind. It was convenient, good sex, and I made sure she had everything she needed, materially, at least. 

We never officially defined it. I never asked her to be mine because, well, she wasn’t. We had an understanding. An agreement that worked perfectly for me. Isabella was my mistress. That was what this was. That was all it had ever been. And I wasn’t about to pretend it was anything more.

She stared up at me, waiting for something, some kind of response that would put her at ease. But what could I say? “Come on,” I repeated, my voice softer now, coaxing. I didn’t want to hurt her, but I also wasn’t going to give her something I couldn’t. 

Though she didn't answer, her face spoke for her.

I glanced around, my patience thinning out. The last thing I wanted was to draw any more attention to us.  

"Why don’t we go and discuss this in my office?" I suggested, my voice calm but firm. 

She was keenly aware of my scrutiny, but Isabella, being her usual stubborn self, wasn’t having it. "No!" she snapped, her voice a little louder than I liked. "We’re discussing it now."

I clenched my jaw. My expression stilled and grew serious. "What exactly is there to discuss, Isabella?" I said as if the answer were already obvious. This whole situation was ridiculous. She had managed to turn something as simple as wiping her gloss off my lips into a full-blown confrontation. For what?

Isabella stepped closer, her eyes burning into mine. “Stephano,” she said, her voice lower now.

I swallowed, my eyes darting to the side. We were out of the elevator now, standing in plain sight. People walked past. The last thing I needed was someone catching wind of this.

"Belly," I said, trying to sound soothing. “Let’s go to the office.” I wasn’t asking. 

Isabella's eyes softened the moment I called her "Belly.”She worried her lip for a second, glancing up at me as if debating whether to push the issue further. Then she sighed and said, "Fine." 

My chest relaxed, the tightness I hadn’t realized I was holding onto finally easing up. At least for now, she wasn’t going to press me further. Well, she didn’t cling to my arm this time, just walked closely beside me, her steps a little lighter.

I thought we might finally make it to my office without any more drama when my phone buzzed again. I pulled it out of my pocket, and there it was -Camilla’s name flashing across the screen. Of course.

I could feel Isabella’s eyes flick toward the phone. My thumb hovered over the screen for a moment, debating whether to ignore it or decline it again. The last thing I needed was Isabella asking more questions, but Camilla calling twice? That wasn’t a good sign. 

"Who is it this time?" Isabella asked.