Elena's POV:
The second dress is black. It has a flowery design attached to the sides of it. The cut is not too low, and it stops a few inches from my knee, so it's not short. I actually like this one. It's beautiful.
I step out of the fitting room again. Adrian's gaze comes up, and slides over me, head to toe. His eyes narrow as he studies me.
"Not this," he finally says.
"But this one's beautiful. What's wrong with it?" I ask, genuinely confused.
His only response to me is the flick of his index and middle finger in the direction of the fitting room.
I roll my eyes, grunting internally before going into the fitting room again.
The third dress takes longer.
If I thought the black dress was something, this is just... magnificent.
It's a red, sleeveless, halter neck dress that has glitters on it. It's somewhat simple, but it's the detail on the dress that makes it stand out. It suits my skin perfectly, hugging all my curves, from my breast, waist, then hips, then goes down my thigh, down to my legs. If I put on heels, it'll lift from the floor.
It exposes little cleavage, but it's not bad. Just enough to give room for imagination. It also has a slit that stops mid-thigh. Not too high, not too low. Just perfect.
I really love this one. I like it better than the others. If Adrian doesn't like this one, then I'll be damned.
When I step out this time, everything feels different. And once Adrian's eyes land on me, he intakes a sharp breath.
His eyes run down the length of me, as his teeth graze his bottom lip.
He suddenly gets up, and starts approaching slowly. A bundle of nerves start swirling inside me, as my heartbeat picks up.
He comes and stands directly in front of me, hovering over me.
I keep my eyes on the floor until his voice cuts softly through the air. "Look at me."
Hesitantly, I lift my head up and look at him. His closeness is intoxicating. Anytime he's close to me, I can't think straight.
His pupils are dilated and there's a dazed look in his eyes as he watches me. His gaze then falls to my lips, and instinctively, my tongue darts out, and I run it over my bottom lip.
He hisses at the action, a hand coming up, and running along his jaw, as he mutters something in Italian.
"Turn around," he rasps, command dripping in his tone.
I swallow, but do as he says.
Slowly, I turn. The hairs at the back of my neck stand at the knowledge of him watching me.
He hums low, the sound deep, and guttural, and chills form all over my body, warmth spreading low in my stomach.
When I face him again, his lips are slightly parted as he runs his thumb over his bottom lip. Like he's thinking of something.
The whole room feels so hot. Tension flying in the air. My breathing is uneven, chest heaving up and down.
"We'll take this one," his voice comes out throaty.
"Go try on the rest," he says before returning to his position on the chair, and crossing one leg over the other.
I try to catch my breath now that he's not so close.
Calm down, Elena, calm the fuck down!
Forcing my legs to cooperate, I turn around for the fitting room again.
I end up trying about five more dresses before I'm able to pick the other two for the events. They're really beautiful too. One's green, while the other is black.
The attendant helps us take them to the car while the manager bids goodbye to Adrian.
She's always acting like I'm invisible. And even the subtle irritated looks she gives me don't go unnoticed.
I'm a hundred percent sure she has a crush on Adrian. I know that look of jealousy anywhere. Or she just wants to sleep with him.
Wait! Has she slept with him already?
The thought alone raises bile up in my throat. I don't like the idea of that one bit.
It's such a stupid thought but everyone knew who he was before marriage.
Women have always praised him, talked about how good he is in bed, and how they always went back for more.
My cheeks warm at the thought of wanting to feel Adrian on top of me. How would he like sex? Slow or rough? He's definitely not a calm person so I think it's the latter.
We haven't had sex since we got married. And don't get me wrong, I'm glad we haven't. I'm inexperienced, and scared at the same time. But also, I want to know what it feels like. With him.
I shake my head, as if it will evade the thought from my mind.
Anyway, it may not be true. If they slept together, Adrian doesn't seem to be returning the same energy. But then again, Adrian's not also one for you to be able to read.
As we reach the car, I'm about to pull the door open, when a shadow looms over me, and a hand shoots out and pulls the door before I can reach it.
I swallow awkwardly and mutter a small "thank you" to him, before I slide into the car.
While on the road, no one says a thing. Adrian's gaze is fixed on the road in front of him, while I'm fidgeting, staring out the window to keep myself busy.
The air around us is tense for some reason. It always is whenever we're alone.
Do I say something? At least it'd kill the awkward vibe.
"Uhh…" I turn away from the window so I can see his face. His side profile is mad crazy. I've never seen anyone with a more perfect jawline, or nose, or brows, or lips. The man is literal perfection.
And they say angels don't exist. Or the devil in this case.
"Where are we going exactly?" I add, "the trip I mean."
His eyes don't leave the road. His tongue darts out and runs along his bottom lip before he answers, "Vegas."
My brows shoot up. "Vegas? As in Las Vegas?"
"Mmm hmm," he nods slowly.
Excitement fills me instantly. I'm going to Vegas?
I've always wanted to go to Vegas but I never had the chance. You know, dad, babushka, Anya…
I couldn't afford to leave home. But now Adrian just dropped that bombshell and I don't know how to act.
I don't even realize I'm smiling so much until Adrian asks, "Why are you smiling?"
I laugh softly. "It's nothing, I'm just excited that's all."
His eyes finally leave the road and land on me, but only for a brief second before they're back.
"You've never been?" He asks.
"Not exactly… no," I admit, rubbinh my hands together. "But I've always wanted to go. I'm glad I can do that now," I smile wryly.
He doesn't say anything. Seconds pass, minutes…
"What kind of business are you going to be there for?" I know I should have kept quiet but I mean… I can't help it.
"It's a summit," he says, taking a left turn.
"A summit? I thought those were for like... businessmen? Like legal businesses and stuff," I ask with genuine curiosity.
I don't know if I'm mistaken, but I saw his lips tilt slightly upward for a second or two before he went back to his usual indifferent expression.
"I have business fronts, Elena. Thousands of them. A don doesn't do only Mafia work. It's not always killing everyday."
I scoff lightly. Was that supposed to be sarcasm?
When did Mafia Don Moretti develop a humor?
"Okay. If you say so," I shrug my shoulders then stare outside the window again.
The rest of the drive home is silent. But it isn't as awkward anymore.
Excitement courses through me. It's the only thing I can think about now.
God! I'm so excited.
I don't know what is going to happen there, but I know I'll be there for three whole days.
And It's going to be a good three days.
Viva Las Vegas!
God! I can't fuckin wait.