Leo jumped out from the car, ordering her to wait as he opened her door and helped her out into the crisp night air. He gently removed the blindfold, allowing Dara a moment as her eyes adjusted to her surroundings.
She looked up at the familiar facade of Castello Bellamo and felt her breath catch. Thousands of tiny twinkling fairy lights adorned the steps to the double doors. The entrance glowed as though lit up by some kind of magical force.
‘The real surprise is inside.’ Leo took her by the hand and led her up the steps and through the open doors into the grand hallway.
The castello had always been a magical place to her, with its vaulted ceilings and mysterious corridors. But now it simply took her breath away. Thick garlands of flowers adorned each side of the staircase, and tiny ornamental elves sat on a side table surrounded by candlelight. The light from the chandelier above had been left dimmed for maximum effect, and she could see a warm glow emanating from the doorway leading into the front sitting room.
‘Leo, the place looks like something from a fairy tale.’ She sighed, wandering through the archway. Her breath caught as she took in the enormous Christmas tree that dominated the room. The tree had to be at least nine feet tall, and was perfectly decorated in an array of red and gold. ‘Did you do this all by yourself?’ she asked, still stunned by all the effort he’d gone to.
‘I had some help,’ he admitted. ‘I remembered you spoke about how much you loved the traditional family Christmases you had as a child.’ Moving his weight onto one foot, he leaned against the archway and watched her. ‘Do you like it?’
Dara turned to him, feeling tears well up in her eyes as she realised that her powerful jet-setting husband was actually nervous.
‘Leo, this is so thoughtful, I’m actually—’ She swallowed down her emotion, trying not to ruin the moment with silly tears.
‘What’s wrong? Have I upset you?’ Leo was by her side in an instant and enveloping her into his strong embrace. ‘I know that we usually spend this time of year somewhere warmer and more exotic. Are you disappointed?’
Dara shook her head quickly, looking up into the brilliant emerald depths of his eyes. He was so serious, so concerned, and yet she couldn’t seem to find the words to assure him that this was wonderful.
‘It’s perfect,’ she rasped. ‘Thank you.’
She felt his arms relax around her, pulling her closer into the wall of his chest. She tilted her head up and claimed his mouth in a kiss full of heat and promise.
* * *
Leo groaned and smoothed his hands down Dara’s back slowly, allowing his hands to rest on her supple curves. She was still as addictive as ever, his wife. And he’d be damned, but he couldn’t wait another moment before having her.
The soft rug before the fire made for an excellent makeshift bed. He lowered them both to the floor slowly, unbuttoning his shirt in the process. Dara began to pull at the buttons on her own blouse, but Leo had other plans. He laid a hand gently on top of hers.
‘I’ve been fantasizing for weeks about undressing you,’ he whispered sensuously as he ran a slow, torturous hand down her ribcage.
Dara shivered, heat rising in her cheeks. ‘You still fantasize about me?’ She looked doubtful.
‘Amore mio, you are the only woman who gets me like this. Look at me—I’m rock-hard and struggling for breath after one kiss.’
Dara’s eyes sparked with possession as she laid her hand on his belt buckle. ‘I’m glad. Because I plan on being the only woman for a long time yet.’
Leo sucked in a breath as her fingers undid the buckle, lowering the zip of his trousers in one smooth movement. Her hand wandered, momentarily grazing his erection and making him groan.
‘Such a tease,’ he growled, pushing her back down onto the rug. ‘This is my fantasy, remember?’
Leo grabbed the waistline of her pencil skirt, tugging it low on her hips before removing it completely. What he saw beneath made his eyes widen and his heart thump uncomfortably. Delicate thigh-high stockings covered her legs, held in place by a black lace garter belt.
‘This is new.’ He felt his throat run dry.
Dara’s blush deepened. ‘I had a feeling you’d like it.’
Leo ran his hand across the flimsy lace, feeling the heat of her skin underneath. A matching thong was the only thing that lay between his fingers and the moist heat of her delicate skin beneath.
‘I planned to take my time...’ He bit his lower lip, watching her eyes darken as she arched her hips against his hand. He leaned down, taking the lace between his teeth as he undid one catch and rolled the stocking slowly down the smooth skin of her thigh. Discarding it on the floor, he turned his attention to the other thigh and repeated the action. Dara shivered, unconsciously spreading her thighs wide for him. Or maybe it wasn’t unconscious at all; maybe she was deliberately trying to drive him insane.