Forbidden Desire 18+

Chapter Thirty One

ISABELLA MATTIA

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Step one of my plan: wear a hot as shit outfit.

I stare at myself in my mirror and smooth my hands down the material of my dress. It hugs my figure and my curves like second skin. The dress is red with a plunge neckline, flashing off the perfect amount of cleavage.

My long brown hair is in loose curls down the centre of my spine. I drag a line of black eyeshadow across my lid in a wing and my lashes are darkened with mascara. I press my lips together and let the clear gloss slide gently to the edges.

I never wear heels to a party but Charlotte said that these fancy boys like to dress up and it's definitely a place to wear your best items of clothing. I'm only doing it to get Elio's attention. I'm praying that the strappy black heels that make my legs look a thousand miles long do the trick.

After a few moments I nod and grab my bag before walking out of my bedroom. Elio glances at me from where he's standing in the kitchen. I don't look at him. But I can feel his gaze trailing down the side of my body, heat swarming around my ass.

"I'm going out," I blurt as I reach the front door.

Elio is right behind me. I glance over my shoulder at him to find his eyes darkening by the second. I flash him a sarcastic smile and he takes in my outfit once more. "In that?" His jaw grits.

I quirk a brow. "I thought you once told me that you could fight?"

"It won't be fighting anymore, Isabella," he rasps, eyes dilating heavily. "It'll be killing."

My heart jolts in my chest. "Good to know."

I turn away from him sharply and head outside the building. I can feel Elio's glower in my back but I choose to ignore him, like he has from the day we got trapped in the lift together. I knew I shouldn't have said anything. My trauma is too much for him. Fuck.

Charlotte meets me with Rhett and we head to the party. Elio insists he drives me there and I tell them we'll meet at the house. The journey is silent and I don't miss the way his knuckles flex over the steering wheel and tighten, making the skin deathly white.

Once we arrive I get out of the car and link arms with Charlotte. We step into the house with pumping music and swarms of people. I slip through the hallway and head towards the large kitchen where people are pouring drinks and playing beer pong.

A bunch of Rhett's friends come over to greet us. Three boys. I greet them all politely as we stand together and chat over the loud music. They offer me a drink but I decline–none of them push me to.

Charlotte nudges my ribs. "Uh, I know your bodyguard is usually moody but he looks like he's about to destroy this entire house." She mutters in my ear.

I sigh and turn towards him. I've not shown him a sliver of attention since we got here. How does it feel to be on the other end, asshole?

Elio's eyes meet mine and they glow at me with reason. I'm in the presence of other men and he doesn't like it. "Good," I turn back to Charlotte with a tight smile. "He's been unbearable this last week. Might actually give him a reason to speak to me."

"That doesn't sound healthy," she frowns.

"We're far from healthy, Char. Toxic. Constant games and I'm not ready to lose."

A hand is pressed against my back and I look at the guy next to me. It catches me by surprise but it's a gentle caress, nothing more. "So, you're Isabella, right?"