20. The Red Dress

                                    

                                          
CHAPTER TWENTY
Diana's POV
The week flew by, each day bringing Diana closer to the special night Angelo had promised. It had been a long time since she'd felt this kind of excitement—a flutter in her stomach, anticipation blooming in her chest every time she caught him watching her with that look in his eyes. He was up to something special, and she couldn't wait to find out exactly what it was.
When the day finally arrived, Angelo kept his word, taking her out for a shopping trip. The thought of being alone with him for an afternoon felt almost as exciting as the dinner itself. As they walked through the boutique-lined streets, his hand rested firmly on the small of her back, a constant reminder that she belonged to him.
They ducked into a sleek clothing store, and Angelo took to the task with surprising seriousness, trailing behind her with a steady focus that made her smile. He'd insisted on picking out most of the outfits, and Diana couldn't resist teasing him.
"How about this one?" she asked, holding up a silky black dress with a plunging neckline.
His eyes darkened, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly before he cleared his throat. "Try it on."
She gave him a sly grin and disappeared into the dressing room, only to emerge a few minutes later wearing the daring outfit. It clung to her in all the right places, the soft fabric shimmering against her skin. Her long blonde hair in waves covering her exposed back.
Angelo leaned back in his seat, his gaze raking over her body slowly. Heat simmered in his grey eyes, and for a moment, she thought he might change his mind and say yes. But then he gave a subtle shake of his head, his voice low and steady.
"No." His tone was polite but firm, the tension in his jaw betraying the struggle it took for him to say it.
Diana respected his answer, though a part of her delighted in the fact that she could still get under his skin like that. She gave him a playful twirl before heading back into the fitting room to change.
The next few outfits followed the same pattern—provocative pieces that had his pulse racing, but each met with the same soft-spoken refusal. Still, she could tell he enjoyed the process, watching her playfully tease him with every dress that clung just a bit too tightly or revealed a bit too much.
And then they found it.
A red dress, sleek and elegant, with thin straps and a fitted bodice that flared out slightly at the hem. The deep, rich color complimented her skin perfectly, hugging her curves without being too revealing. It was simple but breathtaking.
When Diana stepped out of the dressing room, the air between them shifted.
Angelo's eyes locked onto her, and for a moment, he forgot how to breathe. She could see it—the way his gaze traced every inch of her, lingering just a little too long. His hands rested on his thighs, gripping them as if grounding himself. And then there was the subtle way he shifted in his seat, his jaw tightening slightly, as if the sight of her stirred feelings he wasn't entirely prepared for.
He swallowed hard, his voice husky when he finally spoke. "That's the one."
The warmth in his gaze made Diana's cheeks flush, but she smiled, a small, satisfied curve of her lips. "You think?"
"I know," he murmured, his eyes still fixed on her like she was the only thing in the room.
Without hesitation, he rose and headed toward the cashier, pulling out his wallet as if there was no question who would be paying. Diana followed, watching the ease with which he handed over his card, as if treating her was the most natural thing in the world.
As they left the store, she leaned in close and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. "Thank you," she whispered.
Angelo smiled—one of those rare, quiet smiles that always made her heart skip. His hand found hers again, and they walked through the streets, content in each other's company, the perfect dress tucked safely in a shopping bag.
Hours still remained before their dinner, but anticipation buzzed between them, thick and electric. Diana could already picture the way his face would look when he saw her in that dress later tonight.
And by the way his hand lingered just a bit longer at the small of her back, she knew he was picturing it too.