Chapter 8
After Isabella finished kissing Vitale, she suddenly flipped over and sat on his abdomen, reversing their positions, her bottom just touching his lower body.
She gently moved her hips, grinding against the tip, and couldn't help but moan.
Vitale's whole body shuddered violently, his bronze skin tightening like a drawn bow in the morning light.
He instinctively wanted to take back control, his hands that were used to giving orders just lifting up, when he saw Isabella suddenly stop all movement.
She tilted her chin up slightly, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall, the corners of her lips curling into a sly smile.
"You need to behave, Vitale." Isabella's fingertip lightly tapped his nose, as if soothing a restless beast. "Only good boys get treats."
Vitale laughed deeply, the sound echoing in the spacious bedroom: "You talk more than my most nagging subordinate Torian Harris. You know how I deal with people who talk too much?"
He deliberately lowered his voice, lifting his hips and looking at her red lips: "I pull out their tongues."
Isabella pretended to widen her eyes in fear: "Are you threatening me?"
"No." He took her hand and planted a burning kiss on her palm. "I'm begging you, numb my tongue with your kisses, stop torturing me like this."
His breathing was heavy, his gaze intense, making her feel with her hand how terrible it was below: "I'm about to explode, darling."
Isabella's eyes involuntarily glanced downward, and she immediately gasped: "Oh God."
She instinctively backed up half a step, fear appearing in her eyes: "If I say I'm not ready yet, will you forgive me?"
Vitale closed his eyes, his Adam's apple moving with difficulty.
When he opened his eyes again, his deep blue eyes flickered with restrained light: "I'll forgive you, but as compensation..."
He reached out and pulled her into his arms, leaning down to capture her lips: "Let me kiss you properly."
This kiss was different from all the previous ones, carrying a devout tenderness, like a pilgrim worshipping his only deity.
Vitale's tongue carefully traced the shape of her lips, as if memorizing every curve.
When Isabella began to respond, he deepened the kiss, yet always carefully controlled the intensity, afraid of disturbing the person in his arms.
Their tongues intertwined, and they could hear the subtle wet sounds, along with moans.
After a long while, Vitale released Isabella and carried her to the floor-to-ceiling window.
The moonlight painted the sea surface gold, the shimmering waves reflecting the embracing couple.
"I hope next time," his voice was hoarse, his forehead pressed against the top of her head, "you can help me. This torment is really too painful."
Isabella turned around and hugged him, gently stroking his tense back: "I'm sorry, I promise next time for sure. You know what? I'm suddenly not afraid of you anymore, Vitale."
She buried her face in his chest and said softly: "Let me stay with you tonight, you won't be afraid alone anymore."
Vitale held her tight and sighed: "Right, I'm not afraid anymore, but I'm uncomfortable."
Getting no response from Isabella, he looked down to find that Isabella had completely fallen asleep this time.
The next morning, Isabella woke up in the sunlight.
She instinctively checked her clothes and was surprised to find her nightgown intact.
Vitale had actually kept his promise and hadn't taken her body while she was asleep.
On the bathroom counter, a brand new toothbrush already had toothpaste squeezed on it, with a neatly folded dress placed beside it.
This detail made her heart warm slightly.
When Isabella picked up her phone and saw more than twenty missed calls on the screen, she suddenly jolted awake.
"Damn it!" She hurriedly jumped out of bed. "Sonia's wedding!"
If she didn't show up soon, that hysterical Sonia would definitely make up some bizarre story about 'Isabella being tortured to death by a strange man.'
Isabella hastily wrote a note, and just as she reached the door, her phone rang again.
"Where the hell are you?" Sonia's shrill voice came through the receiver. "Don't tell me you really hooked up with that red-haired man?"
"No! Nothing happened between us."
"Swear it?"
"I swear," Isabella looked toward the bedroom, her voice unconsciously becoming softer, "he's a real gentleman."
"Wait!" Sonia's voice suddenly filled with curiosity. "Tell me the details. How's his body? I saw last night, those pecs were perfect. How's his stamina? He must be really good, right? What about his technique?"
Isabella's cheeks flushed: "Sonia! Nothing happened between us!"
"Stop lying. I saw him take you away with my own eyes. How could a man like that pass up prey that's already in his mouth? Is he as gifted as he looks?"
"I can't discuss this anymore." Isabella tried to end the topic.
"Please, just tell me if he's as powerful and impressive as the legends say? Colt said Vitale is famous in their circle for being..."
Isabella decisively interrupted: "I'm hanging up now."
"Fine, fine." Sonia said reluctantly. "Hurry back. The wedding starts in two hours, and you need to be my bridesmaid."
After hanging up, Isabella's hand rested on the doorknob, but she didn't press it for a long time.
Just leaving without saying goodbye like this - what difference was there between her and those women who sneak away after a one-night stand?
Isabella turned back, deciding to at least say goodbye in person.
Passing through the hallway, she was drawn to the scene in the courtyard.
Vitale was doing his morning workout, wearing only tight workout pants.
Sweat slid down his solid back muscles, each punch carrying sharp force.
When he turned around, Isabella involuntarily held her breath.
The morning light outlined his full pecs and clearly defined abs, and a certain part below his workout pants was energetically asserting its presence, clearly the morning workout hadn't relieved his pain from last night.
"Peeking isn't ladylike behavior." Vitale suddenly spoke, a smile playing at his lips.
He stopped his punches and picked up a towel to wipe his sweat, his muscle lines flowing smoothly like a cheetah.
Isabella felt her cheeks burning but tried to stay calm: "I just came to say goodbye. My sister Sonia is getting married today, I have to..."
"I understand." He approached, the heat rising from his body mixed with the scent of cedar. "Need me to drive you?"
"No need." She instinctively backed up, only to be blocked by the wall behind her.
Vitale placed one hand on the wall beside Isabella's ear, leaning down close: "Then at least give me a goodbye kiss?"
At this distance, she could not only feel the heat from his body but also clearly see her own reflection in his deep blue eyes.
What made her heart race even more was that his energetic member below was brushing against her skirt, seemingly by accident.
"Vitale..." she protested softly, but her voice was too soft to be convincing.
"Just a goodbye kiss, I promise." Vitale's lips touched Isabella's forehead, then slowly moved down, finally stopping at her lips.