ISABELLA

ISABELLA

Shit, I swore as I tried to focus on the food in front of me.

It was impossible with the way the man in front of me was glaring at me. I could feel the intensity of his gaze on my face and it was all I could do not to crumple to the floor and admit what I had done with him the previous night.

My legs still shook from the pleasure he had wrought in me and the nerve endings he had awakened still remembered him. I could feel the roughness of his palm against my throat and the scarf around my neck hid the hickeys he had implanted on my skin… a sign of ownership.

Shit! I muttered again.

It had been bad decision to follow him and right now that bad decision was staring me right in the fucking face and there was nothing I could do about it.

I wondered why he was yet to say anything… why he was calm and laughing when I could feel myself melting.

It wasn’t hot but I was sweating so bad and I could hardly taste the food I was forcing down my throat.

“Isabella just finished schooling in the UK so she hardly knows anything about our culture. You will have to forgive her future mistakes as your wife” My father directed his talk to Luca, the son who smiled.

He was staring at me too and I wondered if his father had mentioned anything… there was no way and this was just me overreacting.

“I am sure I will be able to teach Isabella our cultures” Luca responded while I groaned inwardly.

“Yes, you will have to” My father agreed.

“I am sure Isabella has other qualities” Agosti spoke.

I choked on my food, my eyes flying up to his in alarm.

He was going to say something… I could feel it on the tip of his tongue and his harsh gaze in my direction.

“She is a fan of the gardens” My father enthusiased. “Maybe after the meal, she will show Luca around and they can get to know each other”

“Of course” Agosti accepted.

I finished eating, reaching for the glass of water beside me and downing it.

“I shall excuse myself” I told them. “I need to use the restroom”

My father waved me away and I did not look in his direction while I dashed off, willing the breath back into my lungs.

I reached my room, my knees weakening as I collapsed against the door.

I wondered if he was going to keep quiet about what we had done and stop the marriage somehow or he was going to expose me to my father which was something he was mostly likely capable of doing.

Whatever it was going to me, I was going to have to be prepared to face him.

I took a deep breath and left my room, climbing down the stairs and heading back to the dining room.

They were done eating and my father suggested that I escort Luca to the gardens.

I had hardly noticed him in the presence of his father which was all encompassing so when he approached me, I took a time to look at him.

He had his father’s look but I was sure he resembled his mother more with how soft his looks were compared to the elderly man.

He put out his arm and I linked mine to his, walking out with him to the gardens.

“These are very beautiful” He commented. “You cultivated them yourself?” He asked

“I did” I smiled. “I was always in love with flowers and this was what I could come up with in my short time of being back” I explained.

He touched the dandelions softly and I watched as his hand fell away and he turned back to me

“We both do not want this marriage” He stated simply.

“Yes” I responded.

“But we have to go through with it because of our families so is there any way we become friends at least? We do not need to be sexual in any way, Isabella. I will not force you into my bed and you will not demand anything from me”

“I think we can come to an understanding” I told him.

He brought out his hand for a shake and I took it, relief flooding my veins.

It was in this position that Agosti met us. He stared at me, his eyebrow raised while I blushed guiltily.

“What are you doing here, Dad?” Luca asked, rolling his eyes.

One could tell that he was tired of his father in the very same way I was tired of mine.

“I wish to talk to your bride for a second if you do not mind” He said, his eyes still boring into me.

I wished Luca would refuse his father and claim we were in a very serious discussion about my future but he did not and I knew that he would not.

I did not think Agosti Deville had ever been refused of anything in his entire life.

I watched Luca walk back inside and Agosti wait until he was sure his son was gone.

“Rachael huh?” He shot at me

“My name is Isabella Rachael Romano” I shot back, my heart beating wildly in my chest.

“You are my son’s wife and I fucked you” He stated, approaching me.

“We did not know and it does not matter” I breathed, backing away from him.

He said nothing, merely backed me against the wall with his eyes angry and his breath harsh.

He looked nothing like the man who had so carefully caressed my breasts and urged me on the night before.

“It was a mistake and it would never happen again” I squeaked, resisting the urge to lick my suddenly dry lips.

“You are wrong… it all depends on when and where.”

“No” I breathed.

“Oh… I did not think the word No existed in your vocabulary, Rachael” he drawled, his eyes twinkling in malice.

“My name is Isabella” My eyes flashed in anger.

“You are Rachael to me… my pleasure”

My lips parted as his dropped so close to mine and for a moment I thought he was going to kiss me but then he murmured

“We are so going to get to know each other better”

It sounded like a threat and I could feel my heart jump in both delight and dread