Chapter 57: The Princess Twirl

The office was quiet, the soft hum of the air conditioning the only sound breaking the silence. Isabella was in the middle of dusting the shelves, a task she had insisted on doing herself despite the house staff being more than capable of it. She liked the routine of it, the calm and focus that came with small tasks like dusting, which allowed her to lose herself in thought. She was in a world of her own as she moved between the shelves, carefully wiping away the dust, humming softly to herself.

Antonio, on the other hand, was leaning against the doorframe of the office, watching her with a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He hadn’t expected to find her here, taking such pleasure in such a simple task. But there she was, looking so effortlessly beautiful, completely immersed in her little task.

He couldn’t help but admire her, the way the sun hit her hair, making it gleam like gold, the way her fingers delicately moved along the shelves, the way she seemed to bring life to the space with her presence. His heart swelled with affection for her, and before he knew it, his mouth was speaking before he could stop it.

"Mi bella principessa," he murmured softly, a tender nickname slipping from his lips. "My beautiful princess."

Isabella froze mid-motion, a soft blush creeping up her neck as she turned her head to look at him. The sound of his voice, soft and affectionate, made her heart flutter in her chest. It wasn’t the first time he had called her that, but each time it made her feel like the most cherished woman in the world. She smiled at him, her cheeks pink, the warmth spreading from her face to the tips of her fingers.

"Antonio," she whispered, her voice soft, a mixture of surprise and tenderness in her tone. "You always know how to make me blush."

His lips curved into a playful smile, his eyes glimmering with affection. There was something in the air, a spark between them, that made everything else fade away. The stillness of the office, the calmness of the moment—nothing mattered but her and him.

He moved toward her slowly, each step purposeful, his eyes never leaving hers. There was a glint of mischief in his gaze, a spark of playfulness that she recognized all too well. Antonio was up to something, and she could already feel her heart rate quicken with anticipation.

Before she could say another word, he reached her side, his hands gently cupping her waist.

"I’ve been thinking," he murmured, his voice low, barely a whisper in the quiet room. "We need to finish what we started."

Isabella’s eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, she couldn’t quite figure out what he meant. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice tentative, though she couldn’t deny the excitement building inside her.

Antonio’s smile deepened, a mischievous glint lighting up his eyes. Without another word, he slipped his hands around her waist, lifting her effortlessly into the air.

"Antonio!" she gasped, startled by the sudden movement, but before she could say anything else, he spun her around, his arms strong and secure as he twirled her in a graceful princess spin.

Isabella’s laughter bubbled up, her body spinning with his as she felt the rush of the twirl take over her. She felt light, carefree, the world fading away as she lost herself in the moment. Her heart was racing, her cheeks flushed from both the excitement and the intimacy of the gesture.

He spun her once more, the soft rustle of her dress the only sound accompanying the swift motion. Then, in one fluid movement, he dipped her over his knee, lowering her gently until her head was nearly touching the floor. She gasped, her body going completely still as she felt the air shift around her.

Antonio’s face was mere inches from hers now, his lips inches away from her own. She could feel the heat of his breath on her skin, the intensity of his gaze locking onto hers with an unspoken promise.

"You’re my princess," he whispered, his voice low, husky with desire. "And you always will be."

Before she could respond, before she could even fully process the tender words, his lips met hers in a kiss that was slow and deliberate, each movement full of passion and tenderness. The kiss was like the one from the romance novel she had been reading earlier, the one that had made her blush and caused her heart to race. Only this time, it was real—no pages, no fiction, only the two of them in this moment, wrapped up in the heat of their shared passion.

Isabella’s heart fluttered in her chest as she melted into the kiss, her hands finding his shoulders to steady herself as the world around them seemed to disappear. There was no office, no responsibilities, no lingering doubts. There was only him, only them, the kiss becoming more and more intense with each passing second. His hands were gentle on her back, pulling her closer, his body firm against hers. He deepened the kiss, his tongue brushing against hers, coaxing her into a dance that was both passionate and comforting.

Her fingers dug into his shirt, her body responding to him instinctively. She had never known a love so consuming, so tender and fierce all at once. Every kiss, every touch from him made her feel like she was the most important person in the world, and in this moment, nothing mattered but them.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Antonio pulled back, but his lips hovered near hers, his breath ragged, his chest rising and falling with the rhythm of his heart. Isabella’s hands were still on his chest, her body pressed against his, both of them breathing heavily from the intensity of the kiss.

"I think that’s how it’s done in the books," he said softly, his voice laced with humor, though there was an unmistakable warmth in his tone.

Isabella’s lips curved into a smile, her cheeks still flushed from the kiss. "I think you’ve perfected it," she whispered, her voice still soft and breathless from the intensity of the moment.

Antonio chuckled, his arms still wrapped around her waist as he gently pulled her back up, straightening her in his arms. He looked at her with an expression that was a mix of affection, admiration, and something else—something deeper.

"You deserve the world, Isabella," he murmured, his hand brushing a lock of hair from her face. "Everything I do, everything I try to be, is for you. I will always be here for you."

Her heart swelled at his words, the sincerity in his voice washing over her. She could feel the truth in everything he said, and in that moment, she knew without a doubt that he was hers as much as she was his. Their love, though tested by time and circumstances, was stronger than ever. It was real.

"I love you, Antonio," she whispered back, her voice full of conviction, her heart laid bare in the simplicity of the words.

Antonio’s expression softened, his eyes locking with hers. He kissed her once more, gently this time, his lips lingering against hers as he pulled her close. In that kiss, she could feel everything—the promises, the vulnerabilities, the affection, the warmth that wrapped around them like a shield against the world.

For a moment, nothing else mattered. The office, the tasks, the world outside—it all faded away, and there was only the two of them, wrapped in love.

And as he twirled her in his arms once more, she realized that no fairy tale could ever compare to the real, passionate love they shared. Antonio was her prince, her partner, her everything.

And nothing, not even the world around them, could take that away.