Protecting The Principessa (Complete)

~ Chapter 28 ~

Ignazia stepped out of the bathroom once she had finished her makeup. Her robe kept rubbing her back and causing her to squirm at the cuts that were there. In some ways, she was thankful that the dress was an open back so that the cuts could breathe. However, she was also certain she was going to get asked questions and she had no clue how to answer them or even how to avoid them. Adriano was escorting her to the hotel tonight and she wasn't sure how she felt about that either given last night.

Last night had been amazing, and when they finished, he had carried her to bed, much to her amazement. He laid her down and when she would have showered, she didn't; she just curled up and went to sleep. When she woke this morning, she had a text from him that he had a couple of things to do at the club and that he would see her in time to pick her up. So, she had the whole damn fucking day to dwell on what they had done and dwell she did! She sure enjoyed it, but she also lied, at least to herself. She wanted more, and that was a problem!

She had laid the dress out before she jumped in the shower and now, she eyed it. It was still gorgeous, and she still felt amazing in it, however, she had a new appreciation for it knowing that Adriano had gotten it. And as she looked it over again, she couldn't help but smile because memories flashed through her mind of the wall and their scene. Of course, she wasn't so certain that he wanted another go as she did. And something told her that he wouldn't act on it anyway.

With a sigh, she slipped the dress on, surprised to find it was slightly loser, and then curled her hair and pulled it over the side, letting it fall over a breast. Once done, she slipped on her heels, slipped on the simple jewelry, and topped it off with a sweet yet subtle perfume smell. She twisted and turned in the mirror, loving the look, and again, had to smile. She looked good, different, and she even felt different. She wasn't sure what her father's plan was tonight, but if he were to state that she was his, well she'd look good being by his side at the very least.

"Wow, you look amazing." Ignazia lifted her eyes from herself in the mirror and to the man who stood in her doorway. "I love the simple, yet regal look you managed to achieve." She turned around and smiled at him.

"Thank you, Adriano, I'm glad you like it." He smiled and held his hand out for her.

"I changed at the club; had taken my outfit in case I was running short on time. Are you ready to go?" he questioned.

"Yes." She walked over and grabbed his hand, and he led her out to his car. She slipped in and couldn't fight how uncomfortable it now seemed between them, and she hated it. Sure, she'd want more, however, not at the cost of their tentative friendship. "Adriano?" she questioned, holding her hands in her lap.

"Yeah?" he asked as he guided his car back out of his garage.

"I don't want things to be uncomfortable between us because of last night. It happened and it shouldn't be an issue, don't you agree?" He chuckled as he drove down the street, casting a quick glance in her direction.

"Going to be blunt and open about it, huh?" he asked her.

"Well, yeah. I don't see a reason to not be open about it. We are adults, right?" Her brows wrinkled in confusion over his question. Sure, she got men wouldn't talk about it and he may just want to wave it off, and though that bothered her slightly, she was okay with it. But she wanted to make sure they didn't have future problems over it.

"Yes, we are, but that doesn't always mean that others handle things in an adult fashion." Izzy tapped her nails on the handle beside her before turning to look at him.

"You don't mean us, do you?"

"Look Ignazia, there's nothing strange between us. What happened, happened. I think both you and I are aware that it's been brewing and it's good we got it taken care of." He passed her a glance as he drove down the street and she shrugged. She couldn't agree more with him, she just had to be damn good at fighting the oncoming attraction. "As far as talking about it, yes, there are many ladies I know who wouldn't dare talk to a man and be open about it. So, it's nice to have someone want to discuss it rather than throw a fit over it." Izzy covered her mouth but the laugh came out. She knew whom he was talking about, and she couldn't blame him.