The Werewolf Prince and I (The Moretti Werewolf 1)

Inside the salon, Misty was assisted to yet another private room. When they were alone, she met Domenico’s gaze through the mirror. Her eyes widened at the contemplative look at his face as he glanced around the room, noting the lock on the door and the other available seats. Misty burst out, “No! Not here!”

He laughed, and Misty realized he was simply teasing with her.

“That was mean of you!”

He kissed her protesting mouth. “I only live to please you, darling. Every f**king way I can.”

When the salon’s staff came back in, Misty’s face was still red enough for the makeup artist to ask if she was using any blush.

The hair stylist added highlights to her hair without taking out any of its length, thanks to Domenico’s explicit warning against cutting it. She was already given a lesson on applying cosmetics, which surprised her. Domenico explained, “You’ll need it sooner or later when we start attending events together so we might as well get that out of the way.”

Then they headed to an exclusive fashion boutique. The fact that none of the dresses hanging on the racks had any price tags worried her immensely.

“Have your wedding gown designed. It will be ready by the time we marry.”

“I’d rather you make the choice,” she said nervously, unused to such surroundings. It was supposed to be a store, but it had the atmosphere of a very, very exclusive bank.

“No. You should be the one to make that choice. I trust you.”

And then he was gone.

“I’ve never seen Mr. Moretti so tender before,” the fashion designer confided as he guided her to the floral settee at the end of his consultation room. Mark was obviously g*y, and his infatuation with Domenico was even more obvious. Somehow, it relaxed her. At least Mark would understand how she felt. As Domenico’s image consultant as well, Mark was also constantly being exposed to Domenico’s irresistible aura.

“He’s so in love with you, isn’t he?”

Misty could only smile weakly, not knowing what kind of answer Domenico would want her to give.

Mark smiled back. “You’re such a cute thing. I’d think he’d eat you for breakfast but since you’re still alive and he’s about to marry you, I guess that’s what true love does.”

She held her tongue back wisely, knowing Domenico would not appreciate her speaking the truth.

“Besides your wedding gown, Mr. Moretti also instructed me to furnish you with an entirely new wardrobe. You see, I haven’t made it yet as a fashion designer, but when everyone sees that you’re wearing my creation, I’m made.” Mark held out his hand. “So please, please, please, if there’s anything you like, just tell me and I’ll do it. If I have to kill someone, I’ll do it.”

It was already seven in the evening when she and Mark had completed the plans for her entire wardrobe. He walked with her to the curb, where someone other than Matteo was waiting for her.

Inside the limousine, the chauffeur extracted the receiver of the car’s built-in phone and handed it to her before driving.

“Hello?”

“Sorry I’m not able to fetch you personally, cara.” Domenico’s voice was enough to make her toes curl. More of this and she would probably have to buy her shoes half a size smaller than usual.

“It’s okay. I know you’re a busy man.”

“You’ll meet me at the hotel. Is that okay?”

“Yup.” But actually, it wasn’t. Was it always going to be like this? It was fun, really, to go out all the time, especially if one had the money for it. But she was starting to miss her siblings and the feel of home.

At the other end of the line, Domenico was instantly alerted to the hesitation in Misty’s voice. “Darling, remember what I told you about being honest?”

“Oh.” She was again surprised at how well he read her.

“So?”

“I was just kind of missing home. I mean, not exactly my home, but just - the idea of being at home. A-am I making sense?”

She was. Domenico should have expected it even, but he simply wasn’t used to going out with women like Misty. The women he used to date in the past had loved going out and was proud of being arm candies.

“Then we’ll have a change of plans,” he decided. It was rare for him to be impulsive. Domenico didn’t like it but he decided it would do for now.

Misty was appalled. Not wanting to make Domenico feel like she had cornered him into doing something he didn’t want, she quickly protested, “Oh, no. I didn’t mean to---”

The sincere distress in her voice put him at ease. It was important to Domenico that she did not attempt to manipulate him simply because he favored her company over others.

“Antonio, the driver with you, will take you home and I will join you there as soon as possible. We will sleep at your place tonight.”

Misty privately freaked out at his words. He was going to meet her at her house? She hadn’t even told anyone in her family about him, and now he was expecting to sleep in her room?

“You need not prepare dinner for me. I’m meeting a business colleague anyway. Expect me to be there about nine.”

“I don’t want to mess your schedule,” she hedged. “It’s okay if you don’t make it.”

Domenico wasn’t fooled. “Trust me, darling. This will work. Don’t have anyone expecting me, though.”

It was a strange request. Did he want to surprise her siblings? But for what reason? Biting her lip, Misty said slowly, “I trust you.”

“See you soon, darling.”

She scowled and sighed at the same time. He kept calling her ‘darling’, and the word alone was more than enough to bring her body alive and make her mind recall the pleasure she could only experience in her arms. She just wished he was really as affected as she was.

“Misty?” Domenico prompted when she still hadn’t answered.

“Sorry, I was just thinking.” Her voice softened. “Take care, Domenico.”

Domenico laughed, which made her feel silly. But then, werewolves weren’t invincible or immortal, were they?

At exactly nine in the evening, someone knocked on the front door and finally putting an end to all her pacing. Misty almost tripped on her cotton pajamas in her haste. They were an inch too long, but she had bought it anyway since it was sold for less than a dollar at the surplus shop around the corner.

Matteo was smiling at her when she opened the door.