28-Naughty Nun
**Marcello**
I never thought I would say this, but Ezra and I should have started sharing a bed with Isabella sooner. I have slept peacefully since the new Alaskan King-sized bed arrived three nights ago. It is a good thing her bedroom is spacious because that bed takes up a large portion of the room. The most frustrating thing in the world was getting the mattress and box spring through the doorway, even with a few staff members helping us. Isabella sat in the corner of the room like the queen she is and drank her coffee as we struggled.
Isabella and Ezra have become much closer since Kain's visit, whereas I have been closed off. I know it is wrong, but seeing her body covered in marks is still uneasy for me. They openly express how much they love one another, and here I am, in a funk. Of course, I love Isabella. It just never feels like the right time to say it. She has been obsessively planning the surprise party with Sophia during the day while Alice works. Ezra and I take turns going with her and taking care of our businesses to ensure things are running smooth before we leave next week. By the time we get home, shower, and crawl into bed, Isabella falls fast asleep either in my or Ezra's arms.
Today, Ezra is the one at work, and I am with Isabella and Sophia as they take care of the final touches for the party. We will be hosting it at the manor tomorrow at two in the afternoon. Isabella will invite Alice and Sophia over for a girl's day, but it will be a concoction of things Alice loves to do. There will be three professional nail technicians to give them fresh manicures and pedicures, three massage therapists for a spa session, bottomless mimosas, and ending the party with a gourmet meal at five-thirty. They are deciding now what all food to get so we can send Stefano the grocery list. Isabella has sat with our personal baker to have the birthday cake specially designed, and the party will take place in the dining hall.
It is hard to believe Sophia is a decent human after what she did in the past, but I do not get the cunning feeling from her that I used to feel. I believe she truly has matured and changed for the better. If not, then she has Ezra and me fooled. Love certainly changes people. It is safe to say I am not the man I was before I met Isabella. Not that I was a terrible person before, but she keeps my head on straight for the most part. I really need to get her alone soon. I hate the disconnection, and I think Isabella can sense it as well.
I need to get my shit together before Isabella decides she no longer wants me. Those marks on her body and her love for pain should not hinder our relationship the way I allowed it. She needs to know I love her just as much as Ezra does. He may be more sensitive and expressive, but I would take a bullet for her without hesitation. It is time to step out of my comfort zone. Being romantic cannot be that hard, right?
I watch Isabella as she laughs at something Sophia says. My God, her smile is beautiful. Her blonde hair is soft and straight today, giving me the urge to run my fingers through it. The fact that she is sitting face-to-face with the woman she planned to murder gets my dick hard. The thought of Isabella killing should not turn me on, but it does. I imagine her in tight, black leather pants, dark red heels, and black lace corset while holding a gun to a criminal's head. In reality, she will be wearing sensible shoes and clothes to get the job done. Still sexy, nonetheless. Isabella could be wearing nun attire, and I would still find her attractive. Shit, now I'm imagining her as a naughty nun, praying for forgiveness on her knees right before I slide my dick in her mouth. I shoot Stefano a text message.
Me- *I need you to buy authentic Nun attire in Isabella's size. Also, get those all-black granny shoes to go with it.*
Stefano- *Should it be delivered to her room or yours?*
Me- *Hers. I want it neatly folded on her bed before 7:30*
He has three hours to complete the task, so that should be plenty of time.
Stefano- *I apologize. I was unaware of this mission. What should I prepare for you and Ezra?*
He thinks this is a disguise for a job that needs to be done. I have to take a deep breath to avoid laughing.
Me- *This is Operation Naughty Nun. I guess you could get us some Priest attire to make it spicier. Good thinking!*
Stefano- *Always happy to help, Sir.*
After a long day of party planning, I decided to take Isabella to a restaurant of her choice. She chooses breakfast for dinner yet again. For someone who hates mornings, she sure loves morning food. She would choose breakfast for dinner over a five-star steakhouse any day. Since it is just Isabella and me this evening, I decide to fix the gap that has formed between us.
"Isabella, we need to talk." I take her hands in mine from across the table. I notice her fingers are cold, so I keep them covered with my palms to warm them up.
"You feel it too, don't you? Something shifted with us." She tries to hide the hurt in her eyes, but I see right through it. This is all my fault.
"Yes, Bellissima, I feel it too," I admit.
"Is it because Ezra and I say we love each other now? I understand if you aren't to that point yet, Capo. It isn't a competition, and I love you both equally." Hearing her say she loves me for the first time makes me happy, but I wish it were under better circumstances.
"No, it is not about you and Ezra. I wanted to express my love for you in a more special moment, but we are busy all the time, and I feel as if we have not had enough time to ourselves. Then, the marks on your body are painful to see. I never wanted to make you feel bad about it. It is something you enjoy, so I have kept it to myself. I cannot whip you the way you need me to. I feel like I will never be able to fully satisfy you." I laid it all out.
"First of all, if you want to tell me you love me, then do it. You don't have to wait for some magical moment. Do you think it was a special moment when Ezra and I said it that night? It wasn't special until we made it so. I was a bloody mess with gauze all over my back, and you were snoring super loudly right next to us. It wasn't exactly a candlelit dinner on the beach. Second, I am perfectly satisfied with you. Scratch that. I am beyond satisfied with you. I never told Ezra, but while I was in my subspace it felt like I was visiting an old friend. Like, an actual person. They changed, and so did I. When we said our goodbyes, I woke up. It wasn't a 'see you later'. It was a final 'goodbye'. Maybe I was saying goodbye to the damaged version of myself. I believe I can reach my subspace without lashes now. We will never know until we try again." The way she described her euphoric experience was unexpected. I have never heard someone explain it this way.
"I have a surprise for you when we get home. You will know exactly how much I love you by the end of the night." There it is. The same look she has been giving Ezra is directed at me for the first time.
"So, what are we still doing here? Take me home, Marcello." Using my name instead of calling me Capo is a bold move, but the way it rolled off her tongue sounded delicious. I threw a bunch of money on the table.
"Yes, ma'am." I help her stand up and kiss her fiercely in front of everyone in the restaurant. We barely touched the food, but we suddenly crave something better. The naughty nun and perverted priests are coming out to play.