DANTE'S POV
I knew sleeping in a different room from Helena had to be one of the smartest decision I had made. As I laid there, staring at the ceiling of one of the numerous rooms I had in my house, I couldn't shake off the images of her from my mind – her wide innocent eyes when I'd cornered her against the wall, the way her breath hitched when I leaned in close. She didn't realize the power she still had over me, how every glance, every soft, hesitant movement was enough to drive me to the edge. If I had to share that bed with her… if I had to smell her-God, that scent of hers, sweet and delicate, like vanilla with a hint of something floral-it would've been over. I would've broken her damn rules and taken her, rules be damned. And it wasn't just the scent or her softness. It was everything. The way she made me feel like I was coming undone, unraveling with a single look.
I wanted her, I wanted her so bad it was nearly driving me to near insanity, but if I wanted to keep her, I needed to slow my horses and keep my urges in check. I already lost her once, I couldn't afford to lose her again.
The next morning, I was up early, already dressed in my suit, ready for a day of business. But when I walked downstairs, the sight that greeted me stopped me in my tracks.
Helena was in the kitchen, wearing nothing but a bathrobe, her back to me as she moved around the stove. Her hair was loose, cascading down her shoulders in soft waves, and I could smell that same intoxicating vanilla scent. I clenched my fists, trying to keep my mind focused on anything but the pull she had over me.
"Morning," I said, trying to keep my voice neutral as I slid unto the dining chairs and poured myself a scalding cup of coffee, she remembered how I liked it – hot, strong and dark like the blood that flowed through my veins.
She barely looked at me and I could feel the resistance shooting off her. She gave me a curt nod as she stirred whatever she was cooking. It was strange, the distance between us, the tension crackling like static in the air. But then she turned slightly, eyes flicking toward me.
"What's the matter?" I asked her and she didn't respond, I didn't have the patience for her stubbornness so I stood from the chair and stalked over to where she stood next to the cooker and her held her hands over the spoon but only slightly, my hands barely touching hers and an electricity zinged through that even I felt taken aback – she must've felt it too because then she looked at me.
"What's the matter Helena? And don't make me ask again"
"The dance studio Dante – dancing is the only thing – "
Again with this, I sighed. I had totally forgotten about it but I could see the fire behind her eyes. There was defiance there-something that made me both irritated and strangely intrigued and just a little bit I wanted to test her limits, see how far I gently tip her over the edge until she pushed back. She acted so innocent, so delicate but I knew she was anything but that and I wanted to bring that demon out.
"No" I said, shutting it down as quickly as I had last night. Apart from testing her limits, how was I supposed to explain to her that I didn't want her out of my sight, that I couldn't bear the thoughts of other men watching her or worse – trying to grope. The mere thought of that made my blood boil to an alarming temperature.
Her lips pressed into a tight line, but she didn't argue. I knew she wanted to, though, and that look in her eyes-it unsettled me. There was a stubbornness in her, something different from the girl I once knew and God I was curious.
Quickly, she dished the eggs in a plate and handed them to me without saying a word before she poured herself a cup of orange juice, I knew she liked them so I had stocked the fridge with them pending her return.
I dug through my food and when I was done I looked up at her while she watched me eat with a fiery look in her eyes
"I should tell you to get comfortable but you're not a stranger here" I told her, taking out my wallet and placing my credit card on the counter. "If you need anything, use this."
She glanced at the card but didn't reach for it. "I have Papa's card."
I straightened "You'll use mine from now on, understood?"
Her jaw clenched, but she didn't argue. Not out loud, anyway. I could see it in her eyes-the silent rebellion brewing behind them. I didn't have time to deal with it. Not now. I had business to attend to
"I'll be back later," I told her, already heading toward the door. "I'm expecting a few associates for a business meeting. Stay out of the way. I don't need those sleazy bags leering at you"
I left without waiting for a response and all day it was impossible to get her out of my head. At some point I had begun to feel guilty about shutting down her request to attend a local dance studio, maybe I was being too protective, to obsessive and I needed to dial back so I changed my mind. When I get back, I'll tell her she can register at one, hell I'll even open a new one for her and have the other ones shut down.
The day passed by quickly attending to business matter that relegates to my empires and goods that needed to be shipped offshore, I had a meeting later that evening with fellow Dons in Algreen Cove. I wouldn't exactly call it a meeting, we never really discussed business, it was more of men who wanted to escape the nagging of their wives and my house had always been the meet up point because it lacked the presence of woman and Helena was right, the other Dons were not going to respect me fully without my Dona Maria.
By the time I arrived home, the house was quiet and I had Lucky and Leonardo with men, both men dressed in crisp black suit and their eyes already drooping from booze, they were the sleaziest of the bunch and whatever it was I didn't want Helena crossing their eyesight because God help me, I could shoot a man dead on the spot and not give a damn about no consequences.
Just then, I walked into my boardroom slash lounge , expecting to find everything in place but instead – I find her
Dancing
In my boardroom
She was in the middle of a pirouette, her body moving with grace and precision, but what caught me off guard wasn't the dance itself. It was what she was wearing. A skimpy outfit that left little to the imagination, her skin glistening under the soft lights.
Immediately, Leonardo made a whistle like sound at the sight of her.
Oh God – Helena
My mind was screaming to get her out of there, to shield her from their gazes, but at the same time… I couldn't tear my own eyes away from her. She was magnificent, beautiful in her defiance, like a wild creature I wanted to cage. And yet, there was a part of me that wanted to take her right then and there, show her exactly what kind of fire she was playing with.
She came to a stop, chest rising and falling as she caught her breath, and then-finally-she saw me.
I stood at the edge of the room, my jaw clenched, fists tight at my sides.
Her eyes met mine, and I saw the flicker of challenge in them.
Oh she was so going to be a problem and I was ready for this challenge.