169

Isabella

"But not now," he said after pulling away from the kiss, leaving me cold.

"I understand. We definitely need to resolve this issue with Valentino and Martinez. But Damon… I'm so happy. This means so much to me." I couldn't help the flood of tears that gathered in my eyes.

He let them fall before wiping them away with a kiss. He pulled me into a hug and began to rub my back soothingly as I continued to tear up on his shoulder.

Hours later, after several more rounds of lovemaking, I stood in front of Paula's room, nervous and almost unable to knock. "It was just news," I told myself as I raised my hand for the umpteenth time. I dropped it again and began to pace in front of her room. Finally, the door opened to reveal Ted.

"Come in, please," he said with a sheepish look on his face.

I entered to find Paula coming out of the bathroom, dressed in a silk robe similar to mine. "Dude, you've been there for a while."

"Couldn't sleep," she said with a laugh. Ted walked back towa