Page 71 of Isabella

Pouring the pink himalayan rose salts into the hot bath water, I take a deep breath, inhaling the fragrance, and a calming sensation takes over my body. I peel off my clothes and slide in.

Steam rises from the top of the water, and I rest my head back against the curved edge of the clawfoot bathtub. I take a deep breath, then let it out, sinking lower into the water.

My phone vibrates on the stand, so I pick it up and see it’s Nicco FaceTiming me. A sly smile takes over my face as I answer it. “Well, hello there.”

“Holy fuck, Isabella,” Nicco growls out, sitting up taller in his bed. I giggle at his reaction, loving that after all these years I still have the same effect on him.

He readjusts himself, lying back against his pillow, shirtless, and puts one flexed arm that showcases his perfectly sculpted muscles behind his head.

“What’re you doing?” I ask, and I can’t help but laugh again when he doesn’t respond right away. His eyes are pinned on the camera, and while I can’t tell exactly what he’s staring at, I have a pretty damn good idea.

Glancing at myself on the screen, I notice the water is low enough to where my cleavage is on full display but high enough that my nipples are still covered. However, since I’m in a bath with just bath salts and no bubbles, I know it wouldn’t take much for him to see a little slip of something.

“Just got home,” he finally answers. “I haven’t been able to get you off my mind.”

“Couldn’t get enough of me earlier?” I tease, knowing we just FaceTimed a couple hours ago.

“I could never get enough of you, Isabella.”

I smile and move from side to side, causing the water to sway just enough for him to get a glimpse of what I’m sure he’s dying to see.

A groan pulls from Nicco’s lips as he moves his arm out from behind his head and lies back farther into his pillow. “Fuck, Isabella. Do you know how badly I wish I was with you right now?”

“I can imagine,” I say, knowing exactly how he feels. These texts and phone calls haven’t been nearly enough. The only thing getting me through not being with Nicco is the memory of him taking me in the restaurant bathroom of Cucina del Sole. “Do you remember when we used to take baths together?”

“They’re some of the best memories I held with me while I was in Sicily,” he says.

I run my fingertips across my chest, causing goose bumps to erupt in their path while I imagine Nicco’s soft lips on my skin and his calloused hands wrapped around my body. His eyes trail the movement. “They’re some of my best memories too.”

Nicco lets out a desperate sigh and says, “I need you, Isabella.”

“I need you too,” I breathe out, my eyes closing while I continue to drag my fingers across my skin.

“Why don’t you show me how badly you do,” he says, his voice low and commanding.

My eyes open, and he’s sitting back against his pillow, relaxed, watching me through heavy lids.

“What do you want me to do, Nicco?” I ask innocently.

“Touch yourself, my sweet Isabella. Show me what you’d have me do if I was there with you right now.”

I slowly run my fingers along my collarbone before dipping down the valley between my breasts.

“You like when I run my hands all over your body?” he asks, his voice low and gravelly. The sound vibrates from the speaker of my phone straight through to me, right down to my core.

I nod and say, “Mm-hm” as I stare right into his eyes on the screen. His piercing gaze sends a bolt of excitement through me, and I bite my lip.

Nicco groans and says, “You’re killing me, Isabella.”

I love the control I have over him right now, and the desperate pleas in his voice as I continue running my fingers up and down my chest.

“Tell me, Nicco,” I say, the words falling off my lips like smooth velvet. “What would you want me to do if I was there withyouright now?”

A low chuckle pulls from his lips as he adjusts himself in his bed, looking like he’s trying to get in a more comfortable position. “Why don’t you tell me what you’d do, Isabella.”

Oh, he wants to play. Then let’s play, baby.

I take a deep breath, letting my lungs expand, causing my chest to rise so my nipples peek out at the surface of the water before letting it all out.

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