The Mistress That Tamed De Santis

‘I thought you wanted to see everything?’ he finally prompted her.

‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘Now I just want...’ Her words faltered.

He took the last step towards her. ‘Me.’

She nodded. ‘Just you.’

She wanted to focus wholly on him, but they weren’t here to talk. This was a clandestine convenience. A risky, stolen moment. Her heart tripped and thudded too fast. She waited, anticipating that burst of passion. They probably still wouldn’t make it to his bed.

But he didn’t kiss her. He took her by the hand. ‘Let me show you one thing.’ He walked down the hallway and opened the furthest door, waiting for her to walk in ahead of him.

‘What’s in here?’ She summoned a tease. ‘Your hidden den of iniquity?’

She walked in without waiting for an answer and stopped in surprise.

The room was large, its floor-to-ceiling windows protected by billowing drapes, protecting his privacy yet allowing the citrus-scented summer air to perfume the room. It was all but empty. Bella drank in the large expanse of polished wooden floor. And in the corner was a baby grand piano.

‘You have your own dance studio?’ That floor was begging to be danced on.

‘Music room,’ he corrected with a laugh.

‘You’re a musician?’ She turned to look at him.

‘You’re surprised.’ His rare smile flashed and stayed.

‘You never seem to do anything other than serious “prince” things.’

‘I appreciate many things. But especially music.’ He walked over to the piano. ‘It relaxes me. As dancing relaxes you.’

She was delighted to discover this and that he’d shared it with her. And she wanted him to share more. ‘So will you play for me?’

He raised his brows at her.

‘Please.’

‘It would be my pleasure.’ He sat down at the stool.

Bella crossed the floor and rested her hand on the smooth, glossy wood of the piano. It was beautiful to touch and she bet it would be an amazing sound. He glanced up at her for a moment then looked down to the keys. Intrigued, Bella leaned closer.

He began. After only a moment, Bella froze, unsure of how to react. He’d chosen an elementary piece and was literally banging it out. Two fingers smashed down on the wrong notes. He hit so many wrong notes, and it was so loud, Bella didn’t know where to look. But then a wicked smile spread over his face and his hand positioning changed. The melody changed. Everything changed.

‘You tease.’ She laughed, relieved, and moved closer to watch. He shifted on the piano stool, straightening.

‘The look on your face.’ He chuckled as he played, beautifully.

‘Who knew solemn Prince Antonio would be a prankster?’ She leaned over his shoulder, letting her hair brush against his cheek, aiming to distract him and make him hit a wrong note for real this time.

‘You didn’t know what to say.’ He stopped playing and reached up to hold her in place near him, turning his head to press a kiss to her cheek. ‘I was lowering your expectations. Now you think I’m better than I actually am...’

She pulled back to read his expression. ‘My assessment of your performance matters to you that much?’ She never would have thought he’d care.

‘I’ve never played for anyone else.’ He shrugged and glanced back to the black and white keys.

‘I’m honoured.’ And she was touched, that warmth in her soul that he’d let her into his secret life, just a little.

‘Dance for me,’ he softly requested as he began another piece. ‘The way you were that morning I spied on you.’

‘Okay.’ Her heat soaring, she kissed his cheek in the lightest of caresses and stepped away from the piano. ‘Barefoot, okay?’ She kicked off her shoes.

‘Don’t feel the need to stop there.’ He sent her a wicked look. ‘Naked would be amazing.’

She laughed, pleased at his emerging playfulness. ‘I never dance this way for just anyone, you know.’

He nodded, all seriousness again. ‘I do know.’

She laughed again at the arrogance implicit in his reply but her heart fluttered, enjoying the lightness and liberty to just be with him.