Chapter 3 Who is this man

CHAPTER THREE

I slipped into the dress, and the moment it hugged my curves, I knew it was something special. The silky fabric gilded against my skin like it was made for me. One of the staff had whispered, almost breathlessly, that this was a limited-edition piece-only one of its kind in all of Miami.

Expensive? Definitely.

Worth it? I think so.

But what I really wanted... was to know what Dante thought.

I stepped out of the dressing room, the wine-colored dress clinging to my body in all the right ways. Dante was on a phone call, his jaw clenched, eyes dark, like he was pissed off at the universe. The tension in his face said it all-whatever the call was about, it wasn't good. He looked like a man who was used to control, and hated when it slipped even a little.

But the moment he ended the call and saw me, everything shifted.

His eyes locked onto mine. Then they trailed lower, slowly, hungrily. It wasn't just a look-it was erotic, as if he was undressing me with his gaze, peeling the fabric off me with pure intensity.

Goosebumps lit up across my skin.

Butterflies fluttered in my stomach.

And... oh God. Was I wet?

What the hell is wrong with me? I was practically trembling under his gaze.

"He's just a bodyguard," I told myself. "Pull yourself together, Regina."

But my body wasn't listening.

"So..." I started, my voice sounding breathier than I meant it to. "How do I look?"

I twirled slowly, giving him the full view. I needed to see it on his face-to know I was getting to him the way he was getting to me. Because all I wanted was for him to grab me, pin me, and show me exactly what he could do with all that fire behind his eyes.

"You look amazing, princess," he said finally, his voice low... but then, something shifted. His eyes dimmed, and a chill rolled off him. "But you're not wearing that dress."

What?

The knot in my stomach returned instantly.

Had he lost interest? Did I misread his gaze? Was my body not worth admiring anymore?

"What's wrong with it?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though my confidence was hanging by a thread.

He stood up from the couch. My breath caught as he walked toward me-slowly, deliberately. Every step felt like a countdown.

Don't come closer, Dante. Please...

If you do, I might not survive what happens next.

He leaned down, his lips brushing the edge of my ear, his breath warm on my skin.

"With those ass and boobs?" he whispered, so softly, yet every syllable sent heat rushing to my core. "You really want all that being seen by others?"

My knees nearly buckled.

I tilted my head in response, meekly shaking it. No. I didn't want anyone else to see me like this. Just him.

He smiled at that-God, that smile could undo me. It was full of mischief, confidence, and satisfaction. He stood upright again, pulling back but never breaking eye contact.

"Good girl," he said. "I'll pick out something for you. If you don't mind, I'd also like to dress you myself."

His hand slid into mine, and I swear I could feel his strength in that single touch. As he led me toward the dressing room, my mind was spinning with wicked thoughts.

Is he going to take me in there?

Is he going to press me against the wall and...

I bit my lip, trying to shove the image out of my mind.

Focus, Regina.

"Princess?" he called again, snapping me out of my fantasy.

"Yes?" I blinked up at him, trying to act normal.

"You can go in now. I'll pick something out and have the staff bring it to you."

His eyes lingered on my chest. He didn't even try to hide it.

No... I want you to dress me. I want your hands all over me while you do it. I want to touch you back.

I took a deep breath, scolding myself.

Get a grip, Regina.

"Alright... yeah. Cool," I mumbled, stepping back into the room.

I looked in the mirror and shook my head at myself.

What has this man done to me? I don't think I've ever wanted someone like this. It's not just sexual-it's something else. Something dangerous.

Moments later, the staff girl returned with another dress-this one deep wine-red, sleek and elegant. I couldn't wait to try it on.

But there was something strange about her. She looked... nervous. Uncomfortable. Like she was holding something back.

"Do you have something to say to me?" I asked softly, as she laid the dress out on the table.

She hesitated.

"I know it's not my place to be nosy," she said in a hushed voice, "but... I saw how giddy you looked earlier. When you were with... Alessandro. My boss."

I froze. "Who's Alessandro?" I asked, turning toward the mirror, watching her reflection as closely as I watched my own.

She looked terrified. Like she'd just revealed something she wasn't supposed to.

She swallowed hard. "Alessandro is..."

But before she could finish, the air in the room shifted.

He stepped in.

Dante.

His presence filled the room like a thundercloud-intense, towering, and impossible to ignore. The staff girl instantly lowered her head. Her hands began to tremble... and then-

A wet patch spread across the front of her uniform.

She had just wet herself with urine.

"What's going on?" he asked, his voice low, calm-but deadly.

The room fell into a heavy silence.

And I?

I was suddenly aware that there was more to Dante-Alessandro?-than I thought.

A lot more.