Chapter 40: "Reveal Everything, and I'll Take Pleasure in Admiring You."

POV: Beatrice

The night was hot and muggy, the full moon hung in the starry sky, casting a silvery light over the luxurious pool. Although the thin, cool fabric dress with a deep neckline that highlighted my breasts underneath allowed me to feel a delicious sensation of coolness, it wasn't enough to make me feel satisfied, especially with the heat that the drinks brought.

Stefano's touch made me warmer by the second. The scent of night flowers hung in the air, adding an extra touch of pleasure to my body. The way he defended me... his muscles not fearing the strong man for a second. I sighed as I remembered the scene, while my body was frustrated by the way he pulled me away and allowed me to leave his arms without touching me anymore, without satisfying me.

I walked along the edge of the pool, oblivious to the rest, believing that Stefano was already far away, letting Paola enjoy his touch. I felt the coolness of the crystal-clear water as it brushed against my fingers and I wanted this sensation to invade me completely so that I could forget once and for all the sensations Stefano was causing me.

The underwater lights painted dancing reflections on my skin, creating a play of shadows that made me even more seductive, even though there was no one there to appreciate them. My fingers slipped a little from the strap, longing to be inside completely. At that moment, I felt his predatory eyes on me, his hands in his dress pants, coming towards me, making it clear that he had preferred to stay rather than go again to the party he had planned.

He looked even more dangerously charming as I continued to slide the strap down. His dark eyes, as deep as the ocean, met mine as he approached, his feet gliding smoothly over the stone floor until he landed on one of the sun loungers, holding his cigar as usual.

As I moved even closer to the edge of the pool, I glanced provocatively at Stefano one last time, before turning back to let the rest of the strap slide down my shoulders, revealing my soft, tanned skin, caring little about the presence of his soldiers at my side.

The garment, with its built-in bulge, slid completely to the floor, leaving my body with only the thin red panties, which I knew well had the power to highlight my sculpted curves. With a seductive smile, I paraded around a bit more, although I wouldn't let him look me in the face, I needed to and wanted to instigate him. I dived into the pool with a jump I'd learned from Alisha, causing a small wave of water to form around me.

I emerged with wet hair, drops of water sliding down my skin, only then facing him, my breasts just a little visible underwater. His fingers were finishing getting rid of his suit, his white shirt showing along with his tie.

"You should come in," I said to him, my voice softer, perhaps from the drink, "the water is perfect." His eyes sparked at my mischievous suggestion as I moved to the edge, resting my hands there, biting the edge of my lips and making it clear that I had something more in mind than just a simple dip.

I saw his eyes sparkle as he looked away, as if my suggestion had made him remember something he was trying to forget. He lazily blew out the smoke from the cigar on his lips before looking away from the party and realizing what he was doing. He raised his body to get out of there, while I leaned on the edge of the pool and climbed in quickly.

"Wait." I asked, putting my arms around my body, and Stefano's gaze finally met mine. His dark eyes shone with desire and fascination as he watched every drop of water that ran down the contour of my body. He still wanted to get away from it all thanks to my suggestion. I knew that he wanted it as much as I did, that he couldn't ignore the fact that I had awakened his desires, something that not even his surrounding soldiers could ignore, which is why he had dismissed them.

I approached him slowly, letting the water run down my body, highlighting the curves he admired so much. Every step I took, my skin shivered at the intense look he gave me, as if I was too daring. When I was inches away from him, even with my skin almost completely exposed to Stefano, his eyes didn't slide anywhere but mine.

"I don't care," I say to him, my voice firm, my gaze not wavering for an instant. He knows exactly what I'm talking about, although I'm not sure, and then he takes a few slow steps towards me.

Stefano slides his fingertips along my collarbone, and I let him enjoy the spectacle that was my body, while I follow his touch, my eyes almost drooping.

"How can you say that when you've never seen me?" he whispers, his fingers resting on my skin, his eyes staring at me with pain and desire, looking vulnerable for seconds. He wants a satisfactory answer, but I'm not sure what he's waiting for so he doesn't pull away. I don't want him to pull away.

"I still wouldn't mind," I whisper back and Stefano doesn't blink for long seconds, his gaze flickering between gray and a bit of caramel that was once more visible now fading, as if my words ignited a flame inside his wounded soul, just as I had predicted.

"You have no idea what you're talking about!" he mutters angrily, his vulnerability fading, his voice hoarse and laden with self-pride and also a kind of pain trying to be controlled. He's incapable of believing that anyone will accept him when he's not even capable of doing it himself. His fingers leave my face, adjusting his tie, looking at the red fabric. The slightly chilly wind no longer makes a difference thanks to the warmth emanating from Stefano's body to mine.

"Then show me," I reply, my voice in an urgent tone of curiosity but need. I wanted to know from him anything he could tell me. What was hurting so much that made him close himself off to the world?

"You're drunk, go to your room and stay there." He speaks even louder and wanting to get away from me, his feet turning, and it's my turn to touch his wrist, my feet coming even closer, my eyes on his, the heaving nipples of my breasts touching the buttons of his suit.

"Reveal Everything, and I'll Take Pleasure in Admiring You.", even if perhaps no one else has yet." I whisper, my fingers sliding from his wrist to the buttons of his shirt, my eyes dropping slightly to my chest in his clothes, making him do the same. I open the first button, the second and then the third, while he seems mesmerized by my gaze, a smile forming on my lips.

His face is so close to mine that I can feel his breath mingling with mine. His eyes are fixed on mine, as if trying to understand every nuance of my intentions, while at the same time getting lost in the tangle of mutual desire. My heart is racing as my hands carefully slide down the buttons of your shirt, exploring every curve of your body. Each movement is made delicately, aware that I don't want him to give up at this point.

Finally, all the buttons are open, and I remove my hands, keeping my focus on the depth of his eyes. I can't go on with this; I want Stefano to want to go on, otherwise this whole moment will lose its meaning. I take two steps back, away from his body, aware that his chest is exposed, but not daring to look away.

"I won't continue if you're not willing," I warn, our gazes still connected.