Chapter 28
When Isabella followed Amboni back to the top floor, what she saw made her heart sink.
Aria was cheerfully saying something to Vitale, and that usually cold man was actually leaning in slightly, listening attentively.
They were standing way too close, and Aria's hand kept lightly touching Vitale's arm.
"Mr. Luca, Isabella is really excellent." Aria's voice came through clearly. "She's told us about you, said you're amazing."
She deliberately lowered her voice, yet made sure every word could be heard: "She said she really savors that night."
Vitale raised an eyebrow, his gaze moving past Aria's shoulder to lock precisely onto Isabella standing not far away.
Her blonde hair gleamed honey-colored in the sunlight, and those blue eyes that always carried a hint of timidity were now flickering with unease.
What a temptress, Vitale thought.
He walked toward Isabella involuntarily, his gaze greedily sweeping over her gently rising chest.
When he reached out to touch her cheek, he could feel her slight trembling.
"You're blushing." Vitale's thumb gently caressed Isabella's burning skin, satisfied to see even her ears turn pink.
What pleased him even more was that just touching her had already gotten his dick hard.
To hide this restlessness, Vitale withdrew his hand, though his voice was deeper than usual: "I think you're all suitable to stay at Tyson Group, but Ms. Martinez is more suitable to be my personal assistant."
He needed Isabella within reach.
Even doing nothing, just looking at her was enough to give him an excitement he'd never felt before.
Amboni nodded knowingly and put his arm around Aria's shoulders without hesitation: "Then I'll arrange things for Aria."
"But..." Aria looked at Isabella with concern.
"Don't worry," Amboni leaned down to whisper in her ear, his warm breath brushing her neck, "I'll personally show you around the company, and perhaps we can have lunch together?"
This was the first time Aria had been looked at by a man with such aggressive eyes—both scary and strangely exciting.
She eventually followed Amboni obediently, shooting Isabella a "good luck" look before leaving.
"Now," Vitale turned to Isabella, "come with me to the office."
"I need to use the restroom first." Isabella said quietly, then nodded politely to another assistant standing nearby, "I'll be back soon to hand over the work."
She practically fled into the restroom, locked the stall door, and sat on the toilet lid, breathing deeply.
Isabella knew her cheeks were burning hot and her heart was racing like it would burst from her chest.
Sonia was right—Vitale wasn't a gentleman at all. He was a lion, and she was his prey.
That look in his eyes clearly said he wanted to devour her alive.
God, why would any man be so criminally sexy?
When Vitale pushed open the restroom door, Isabella was touching up her makeup in front of the mirror.
The moment she saw him in the mirror, her fingers trembled slightly, and her lipstick left a faint red mark at the corner of her mouth.
"This is the women's restroom." She forced herself to stay calm, but her voice betrayed a tremor.
Vitale locked the door behind him, and the small space was immediately filled with his presence.
"My building, my rules." He stepped forward, pressing close from behind, his hands on either side of the sink, trapping her between his embrace and the marble counter.
His breath brushed her ear, carrying the rich scent of cigars: "You ran away for a full ten minutes."
Isabella met Vitale's eyes in the mirror. She pushed down her panic and suddenly curved her lips: "Who says I was running?"
She suddenly turned around, actually making him step back half a step, his back against the door.
Vitale raised his eyebrows in surprise, watching as she stood on tiptoe, her fingers lightly tracing his shirt collar: "Maybe I was waiting for you to come find me."
This sudden reversal left Vitale speechless for a moment.
Isabella took the opportunity to push him to sit on the sink counter, standing between his legs.
Her fingers skillfully unbuttoned his suit jacket.
"You know what?" Her lips almost touched his Adam's apple. "Aria got it wrong."
Vitale's breath caught as he felt her hand slide to his belt buckle: "Wrong about what?"
"I don't savor that night." Isabella undid the belt, the sound of the zipper sliding down particularly clear in the quiet restroom. "I just keep dreaming about it."
She'd figured it out—she couldn't let Vitale have control. She couldn't panic. He had to be the one panicking, this mafia godfather.
Isabella suddenly crouched down, kissing his swollen dick with her lips.
But unlike what he expected, she didn't continue. Instead, she looked up at him, her eyes both innocent and dangerous.
"Mr. Luca," Isabella's fingers traced his inner thigh almost imperceptibly, "do you know what real torture is?"
She lowered her head and gave a light bite.
Vitale gasped, feeling her breath so close.
Just then, his phone rang at the worst possible moment.
He instinctively tried to push her away, but Isabella held his wrist down.
"Don't answer it." Her voice was seductive, her tongue lightly tracing.
Vitale was almost losing control, but the phone kept ringing stubbornly.
He glanced at the number flashing on the screen—it was the emergency line.
"Damn it!" He roughly pushed Isabella away, hastily straightening his clothes.
Isabella remained kneeling on the floor, looking up at him, a triumphant smile on her lips.
"Looks like," she stood up slowly, smoothing her skirt, "even the most powerful men have moments when they have to run."
Vitale straightened his tie and gave her a deep look.
That look held both annoyance and barely concealed desire.
"This game," he opened the door and looked back, "isn't over yet."
The moment the door closed, Isabella finally couldn't hold up anymore, leaning against the sink and breathing softly.
The woman in the mirror had flushed cheeks, but her eyes gleamed with victory.
She might never be able to match him in business, but at least in this moment, she'd made that arrogant Vitale flee in defeat.
Ten minutes later, she fixed her makeup again.
"Ms. Martinez?" A crisp female voice came from outside the door. "Are you alright? Mr. Luca is waiting for you."
Isabella opened the door to see a middle-aged woman in a sharp suit.
She was Antonia Scott, Amboni's sister and one of Vitale's most capable assistants.
"This is your first work assignment for today." Antonia handed her a schedule, a barely perceptible smile on her lips.
Isabella took the form, her eyes falling on the first line: Lunch with Mr. Luca (private dining room).
"Oh God." She couldn't help covering her face. "Damn Vitale!"
"What about me?" A deep voice suddenly sounded behind her.
Isabella froze, fear and anticipation both rushing through her veins.
She slowly turned around to see Vitale leaning against the restroom doorframe, his eyes dark.
Before she could answer, he'd already grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the office.
The sound of the door locking echoed particularly clearly in the empty room.
Vitale approached step by step, his eyes locked on her, as if she'd be torn apart and devoured the moment she moved.
"You like playing games?" His voice carried dangerous pleasure. "Then let's play properly today."
In the spacious office, Vitale began an unhurried chase.
Isabella hid behind the desk, while he calmly unbuttoned his suit jacket.
She fled to the bookshelf, while he leisurely rolled up his shirt sleeves.
Finally, by the floor-to-ceiling windows, Vitale trapped Isabella between his arms.
Outside the window was the view of the entire city, but in his eyes was only her panicked appearance.
"I caught you." Vitale whispered, lowering his head to cover Isabella's lips.