“My story is pretty basic.  New York romance.” She chuckled.  “Boy meets girl. A girl is smitten. A boy works it for all he’s worth over days and weeks, girl naively thinks she’s found forever.  Girl figures giving over early to what is clearly her future husband isn’t so bad in the eyes of God and anyone who matters. Boy eventually ends up in the back of a butcher shop his girlfriend’s best friend.”  

She smirks.  “I was an idiot, scared and honestly it sucked as experiences go - I’m sure it didn’t rank in his top ten either reflecting on how we fumbled around and how fast it was done.  Every part of it was wretched really, but in the end, I got the last laugh cause boy grows up and the girl grows up. Girl becomes Mafia Don and boy becomes Police officer recruited by Agent Garrett to come … talk to me.”

She takes the rum back.  She hits it. “Elias and I ran into him one morning on a breakfast date and he tried to warn me that Garrett was trouble… that Garrett had paid him to come to me.  It ended in hot lead. And … I don’t even think I can begin to explain how stupid all of that makes me feel… but, the upshot here is that a true lesson was learned.”

She rolls her eyes.  “If an FBN agent offers you cash to ring up a girlfriend you fucked around on, say no.”  She smiles. “But, for what it’s worth… the second guy was totally amazing and I was the aggressor.  A quite amusing story involving a wedding, a lost bet, and a handsome little frog who I understand has since become quite the ladies man.  And good for him because he, unlike the other shithead, deserves it.”

She lifts the bottle.  “To bad firsts and getting better as we move along through our choices.”

Gavin smirked.

“I’ll drink to that.”

He paused.

“So. What else do you want to talk about? Anything else you want to know?”

“If I ask you for your secret talent are we going to end up with sand in uncomfortable places, or do you have a talent I don’t yet know about that you’d like to share which doesn't end with sand in my ass?”

She chuckled.

Gavin smiled as he stood up. Bella remained seated, her forearms draped on her knees. Gavin walked a short distance away before returning with something behind his back.

“My hidden talent… is that I’m a good strategist. Much better than people give me credit for.”

With a smirk, he spread out a large bed sheet on the sand a moderate distance away from the fire. Then he sat down in the middle of it.

“So. What’s your secret talent?”

She smirks.  “You really think that sheet is going to work… alright… alright… we’ll test your theory, but first I must disclose to you my super secret talent.”

She stands up and comes over to the sheet, looking at him appraisingly.  “We could wait for Montego… I don’t want you overdoing it if you think you need more time.  I mean… I’m not going anywhere, you do know that by now, right?”

She seems to consider her own words for a moment, “Maybe I can keep you from hurting yourself and show you my talent in the same act.”  She smirked in a self-satisfied fashion.

“I’m going to need you to lay on your back.  If you would?”

Gavin was on his back before she asked the question. He laced his hands behind his head and looked up at the stars.

Isabella began to strip.  Seeming not to care if God or man wandering, happened upon them.  Then she came down onto the sheet as naked as the day she was born and straddled her lover with a smile.  Leaning down near his face she said, “You stay like this… let me do the heavy lifting.” She winked.

“This way… you don’t get hurt unless getting sand in your crack is possible… in which case, well - it’s not me.”  She chuckles. “And THAT is my hidden talent. I always find a way to end up with what I want, even if I don’t know how the fuck I’m going to get it when I start out.  A plan always comes together eventually… and this one, I think we’re both going to enjoy.”

With that she kissed Gavin passionate and stopped thinking so much about word games and a whole lot more about how to pass the time in more pleasurable pursuits.

Gavin reached his hands up to grasp Bella’s hips and felt… right. She moved slowly, almost lazily. Still, he tried not to move too much, limiting himself to a gentle mirroring of her own motion. Between the alcohol, the waves, the stars, and the vision above him, he wasn’t entirely sure whether he was dreaming. Ultimately, he decided the questioned didn’t matter- and simply decided to enjoy it.

Gavin was, mercifully sleeping after some time, her knees felt like they’d been sliced with razor blades while the rest of her tingled with alternating jolts of pleasure and ache.  Not wanting to wake her lover she cast her arm out to grab up the rum which, regrettably was gone.

She sighed and cast the bottle aside.  It was only now she wondered where her gun was.  It was strange she hadn’t thought much about protection this trip when normally, even at the Tower, she couldn’t sleep without her gun in reach.  She cast her eyes about to see if she could see Gavin’s usual fare… a knife and a gun. At least if she knew where his weapons were she might feel as though it were okay to close her eyes for a short bit.  After all, Neil wasn’t terribly far away now.

Spotting the knife still strapped to his leg, she smirked.  The gun, however, was cast some distance away with the remains of his clothing which had come off at some point in their entanglement.  She reached a hand down and felt her knees. The imprint of sand was clear and she smirked wondering about Gavin’s ass. Well, that would wait for morning, which was probably a few hours off yet by the look of the sky.  

It was rather interesting that they kept finding themselves like this - outside, near water, underdressed and under protected.  If she had to die, she supposed, this was better than going down in her HQ burnt alive or gunned down at her best friend’s wedding while nine months pregnant.  On a beach in Jamaica with her lover? Seriously, now that would be a good entry into the Tower’s annals. She wondered if the next crew leader would consider that a success or a failure.

Gavin snorted in his sleep and re-adjusted himself under her arm and leg.  He threw an arm across her and pulled her body into his tightly, in the way a child might clutch a teddy bear or pillow he was particularly fond of.

Isabella decided that it was a success.  Closing her eyes she yielded to sleep.

Gavin was stirred from a peaceful dozing still wearing a smile- and nothing else. Even before he opened his eyes, he was happy. The sound of the waves comforted him, and the feeling of Bella’s body pressed against his did so even more. The sand underneath him shifted as he moved slightly. The fire’s warmth was not completely spent.

As he cracked an eye open, he saw Bella’s body bathing in the moonlight and the gentle rise and fall as she peacefully slept.

Gavin ran his fingers through her raven hair as he felt the world shift on its axis yet again… and this time, it settled into place.

No one heard his words, as the whispers melted into the sounds of the gentle waves nearby.

“I love you, Bella.”

He waited… and she didn’t react. Smiling, he wrapped his arm around her again and went to sleep.

Isabella felt stiff, but not as much as she’d expected.  The sun was up and the sounds of life returning to their private beach had caused her to awaken.  She slid up to and kissed Gavin awake.  His lips still tasted faintly of rum.  She’d certainly had worse for breakfast.

She almost made it off the sheet, but Gavin made certain she had a good reason for her morning shower before they finally gathered up the sheet and made back for the cabin where Gavin grabbed a quick bite to eat & began to pack.  She, however, took quite some time in the shower and began to plan the day in her head.  First, they’d make the drive back to Montego and check into their suite and then…

She heard someone approach behind her but only rolled her eyes as Gavin offered to wash her back.  Planning was officially derailed.  Her would-be itinerary was instantly put off schedule as a fully fed Gavin had come back to life with a vengeance.  Apparently, his chest was feeling a whole lot better because unlike the night before & earlier on the beach that morning… the afternoon’s activity was much more energetic - inspired really.  It was as if new life had been breathed into Gavin & whatever malaise had been upon him had, at least for the moment, departed.

It was just after one in the afternoon when the cars finally pulled away from the cabin.  Despite Gavin’s renewed vigor, Isabella found herself feeling somewhat emotional.  She watched as the cabin disappeared down the dirt trail behind them with a deep sense that she might never return to this place again, and so she kept her eyes on it as long as she could.  

Dressed in a brightly colored sarong, Isabella lamented that she hadn’t had Neil to drive out for a camera like she thought about.  If they never did return here, this place would only ever exist in her memory… no ‘bicycle picture’ for her and Gavin, at least not here.  Such a shame, not only because of how handsome Gavin was with his open shirt, slacks, and lack of socks… but the place itself had become so dear to her.

When Gavin asked her if she was alright, she simply gave him a  bittersweet smile, “I’ll miss that place.”  was all she said, putting on large cat-eye sunglasses.  She couldn’t say why she was feeling so emotional today, but she the feeling hung on until they came into the city limits of Montego Bay.  Here, however, the hustle of the city’s daily life was electric and she couldn’t help but be brought back to life by it.  Whatever dark cloud was lingering around Isabella was cast off in moments.  

The bright colors, happy people, and among it all - opportunities for mischief and fun.  Gavin seemed to be responding to it too as he hung his arm out the window and let air flow past him with eyes closed and a grin on his face which said there wasn’t a thing in the world that could take the perfection of this moment from them.

Scents from street vendors filled the air and as her car came to a stop at an intersection, for a moment her belly complained loudly that the only she’d put into it this morning wasn’t satisfying that particular hunger.  Stopped for the livestock crossing Strand street, she pulled into a space that was left open for patrons of the craft’s market.  

“Fuck it.”  She said, hopping out of the car.  “I’ve been trying to make plans all morning and … you know what?  Let’s do what we’re good at.  Let’s do whatever the fuck we want and right now… I say, let’s shop!”

Gavin slapped the dashboard, with a mischievous grin and a twinkle in his eyes that suggested that Bella was starting to get the idea, he hopped out right behind her.  The two of them left the car behind, shadowed distantly by Neil through the streets of the open-air marketplace.  

Music was everywhere, and unlike many of the markets and boardwalks in the United States, the bands played right out in the open.  Steel drums, clapping hands, and stomping feet created rhythms that one couldn’t help but sway to.  And so, she did, Isabella be-bopped her way from vendor stall to vendor stall shopping for something special.

Which was how, while looking at a lovely orange scarf for herself, that she was pulled into Gavin’s arms.  Without asking he began to dance with her right there in the middle of Harbour Street, with passersby smiling at the two of the young people in love. 

When the song ended a small smattering of people clapped for the performer, or for her and Gavin, she wasn’t sure which, and after a quick kiss she returned to the basket of scarves she’d been browsing.  Unfortunately, the orange she liked so much had been purchased while she was distracted.  Isabella sighed with disappointment.  “Do you have another orange one like that one you just sold?”  

The shopkeeper showed her several orange scarves but none was the same print.  She thanked the shopkeeper politely and moved along.  “Guess it wasn’t meant to be.”  She shrugged.  

“So… does your sister have a green thumb at all?  We could pick up some sort of native plant or something she’d probably love it and it might be a nice way to bring some nature to her since she doesn’t get out much.”
 

Gavin awoke feeling better than he’d felt in a long, long time. The cabin had been perfect, and part of him regretted having to leave. They’d be back, if fate was kind. And if not, they’d made the most of it. Montego was bustling, so much that Gavin nearly asked Neil to turn around. It was a big adjustment, getting used to crowds again. But as one hand whipped through the wind and the tapped lightly on Bella’s leg, what more could he want?

At first, Gavin thought the music was in his head, before he realized the many bands playing on porches and sidewalks wherever the couple strolled. One particular band was playing an irresistible tune, and he found himself dancing in the street.

Gavin noticed Bella asking about a scarf and, as she was busy checking out potential replacements, he snatched it out of a woman’s shopping bag and stuck it in his pocket. That would be a fun surprise later. He’d just returned when Bella looked at him and asked about plants.

“Ah… not that I know of. She’s not really a plant person. Maybe a bottle of something fun? She mentioned the two of you had gotten sloshed together at some point…”

“She told you about that, did she?”  She smirked.  “I like Tara a great deal.  I hope she didn’t say too much about the things we talked about though.  I might have been a bit loose-lipped.  Honestly, we both were.”

“Hey, over here… oh yes, look at these bottles are they’re beautiful!”  she picked up a bottle of rum which had some sort of wicker looking base secured to the bottle which was a colored glass that reminded her of emeralds.  The shape of it was the truly impressive part though - it almost was like the top of a conch shell, all swirled to its opening which was corked and wax sealed.

“How much?”  She asked the vendor, already pulling her wallet out of her purse.  She chuckled at the price, why with prices this low she didn’t have to take over the island as a pirate queen she could just buy the damn thing!

“Should we get one for ourselves to enjoy too?   Oh and I should bring one back for Jewel and Stephen.  God knows that man could use a good drink… Neil will you help?”  Neil was already stepping up to carry the bags of well-wrapped alcohol.

“We should get a souvenir of some kind… don’t you think?” 
 

Gavin smirked.

“No, Tara never mentioned the details. Just said that the two of you got hammered. And yea, that bottle looks… well, weird. But cool. And yea, a souvenir sounds good to me. Thinking about something in particular? After that, we can hit the casino.”

His real souvenir, however, was in his pants pocket: a smooth, white rock from the beach where he and Bella had spent the previous evening.

The afternoon lazily drifted on.  Isabella rambled on with stories of her youth in New York and LA.  She shared with Gavin stories of mischief with Ellie and special times when it was just her and her mother on their own.  

Over lunch, she spoke more about her hopes for a stronger bond between her father and herself.  One that would match the daydreams of her youth - but also about her fears that their choices in life have made that difficult at best. And the simultaneous wishes for and envy she has of the time baby Aurora will have with Salvatore in her most formative years.

Gavin may note that Isabella casually reads things aloud as they move through the booths, sharing what she happens to see or find amusing.  Nothing too overt, but for someone who probably makes note of such things (or maybe even fears someone will notice) it’s there a bit more.

Several times Isabella would take his hand as they walked, lacing their fingers together just enjoying the nearness to him that she had here on this beautiful sunny day.  She never pressed Gavin to share, but always eagerly listened when he did - purposefully staying silent for a bit after he finished speaking to allow him all the time he needed to finish a thought because she knew she was a talkative sort - prone to going on and on.  Which, of course, she did… at great length.  

Isabella purchased a wooden mask for her wall in her office, which was said to bring prosperity.  She didn’t know if she believed it but what harm was there?  Plus, it reminded Gavin of a Dragon and so she instantly took a shine to its snarling lips.  

She also picked up a bag of Blue Mountain Coffee which cost more than any alcohol she’d ever purchased.  She was assured of its quality.  The vendor said it grew at a height of more than 3000 feet above the sea making it more dense and sweet tasting.  She hoped she hadn’t been swindled.

Then there were the jerk spices.  She told Gavin she would come to visit him in Philly and cook for him with them.  Maybe even invite Jack Mezzo and Spaceman.  There was, after all, no better way to secure a man’s position in an organization or business than through the stomachs of his superiors.  That would show Tara that her brother was truly moving in a new direction - the woman would need a road map to keep up.

Of course, that did worry Isabella too.  It was a lot of Gavin changing and she wasn’t sure that she was doing her part here.  What had she done to make this thing with Gavin work?  If Gavin gave and gave and gave… and changed so much to be with her… was that really healthy?

With this in mind, Isabella put down a good amount of money (after a bit of haggling) for what was allegedly an antique compass.  She doubted it was authentic.  She was no appraiser, but how could it be - sold on the street like this?  Surely no one did as the vendor said and swam down to old wrecks to scourge trinkets?  And if they did, surely they’d be sold in museums.  It didn’t matter - it wasn’t why she wanted it.  Not really, though the story was fun considering their discussion the other day about pirates.

No, the compass was purchased for the express purpose of giving to Gavin - a reminder to always be able to find his center.  She’d give it to him eventually… but not today.  Today he seemed happily adrift in the wonder of his new experiences and she was enjoying it too.  But … there might be a time… eventually, when it would be the right message at the right time.  And, she’d have it.  

She hoped all that she was seeing of him was always there, just beneath the surface, and only revealed to her now because he cared… but she couldn’t be sure.  And since she wanted him to understand, she loved him as he was… not for what he might be, the gift seemed, ideal.

Her final purchase of the day also seemed the sort of thing that was made up for rubes and tourists.  Jamaican Root Tonic.  Made from strong ‘medicine’ - roots, herbs, tree bark… the salesman insisted that it wasn’t a street drug but something to build one’s health, strength and vitality.  He also insisted to Gavin that it would boost his sex drive.  That alone made Isabella want to buy it… though she greatly suspected Gavin might injure himself if the drug-filled its promises.  

Bags loaded to the brim it was time to head to the hotel and check-in.  She knew they had a bit of time before dinner would be served and a whole night ahead of them - but Isabella had one killer dress she was DYING to break out for Gavin and she couldn’t wait to begin her regime of preparing for a night out.  Hair and makeup would take some time to make perfect… and no doubt Gavin would be shameless in trying to get her to test out the bed.  It would take her hours to be ready at this rate so they had to get moving.

“You know, I may take a bit to get ready,” She even said as they got to the car and began to drive away.  “I’d like to dress up really nice tonight.  Our first night on the town together as a couple.”

“Let’s get all dolled up to the nines.  I want to look really special for you tonight.  I want to make every girl in the room jealous she’s not me… both because of my dress and because of the man whose arm I’m on.  What do you say?  Maybe you could catch a little rest while I’m dressing… or go down with Neil to get the lay of the land in the restaurant and casino before we spend the evening there?  I know you won’t take long to get fixed up - you always look amazing.”  She winked at him.
 

Gavin laughed, heartily and easily. The salt air and beaches- and perhaps the company- had seemingly peeled layers away from him.

“Okay. I see how it is. Neil and I will go check out the casino, then.”

He winked on his way out the door, not wasting any time. When he got to the hall, he slapped Neil on the back.

“Neil. Buddy. Want to go play some cards?”

Neil shook his head.

“Dice?”

Neil shook his head again.

“Want to play anything?”

Neil shook his head.

“Why the hell not?”

Neil stuck a thumb back toward the door. Gavin sighed.

“Yea… you’re probably right. I guess you wouldn’t be a very good bodyguard if you just ran off like that. Alright, well I’m going to check some stuff out then.”

Gavin started to walk his way- but Neil grabbed his shoulder and Gavin actively suppressed the instinctual move to hit him. Instead, he just glared, until he looked at Neil pointing at Gavin’s bare feet. Gavin shrugged. He’d kicked them off instinctually. And he supposed his clothes, while better than what he’d been wearing at the beach, would leave him a bit underdressed as well. With a thumbs up to Neil, Gavin retreated into the room.

He emerged 12 minutes later, having showered and been shooed away by Bella again. He was wearing a new grey suit, a white dress shirt with the top couple buttons open, and a new pair of shoes that felt far too constricting after spend most of his recent time barefoot. His gun and his knife were in their customary places, and the orange scarf had been sneakily tucked away in his jacket pocket for a surprise later.

Gavin strolled through the casino with an ease in his movements that showed just how relaxed he was. Blackjack. Roullette. Dice. Craps. All the staples- as well as a few games he wasn’t quite as familiar with. And was that…?

A poker table. Gavin grinned as he walked over and introduced himself, removing his wallet from his back pocket and sliding in between a French man and a local business owner. Two hours later, he had a large pile of chips in front of him- and it seemed like no time at all had passed.

Isabella pulled out her two dresses.  Both were unabashedly scarlet.  Having heard Gavin depart she contemplated them and which would be best to wear.  Running around the room in her panties and bra, she brushed her teeth and began the process of rolling hair in steamers.  

She imagined her hair dreamily hanging about her face all flouncy and feminine.  She pulled out her perfume only to sigh in frustration as a smile entered her mind she was actively trying NOT to think about; realizing she couldn’t put this perfume on she put the memory back into her makeup bag and pulled out another scented oil.  This one a bit older but workable. She’d remember to take that one out as soon as she got home of her bolt bag as soon as she got home.

Back to the dresses.  

The first she put on was the more commanding.  It was strong in a way she knew she’d be comfortable with even back home… but, was it too stuffy?  Too formal?  She was supposed to be relaxing - getting out of her box.  Wasn’t that what Gavin was doing?  Was it hard on him too?  Didn’t she have the courage to be a dragon?  

She began stripping again.  She put on new under clothing to suit the second dress which was positively scandalous by any city’s standards.  Her father would have a heart attack on the spot if he saw the dress.  And yet, as she looked into the mirror she could only think of one thing:  this dress either wore the woman… or the woman wore the dress.  In the case of the prior, she was a whore.  Shameless, desperate for attention.  In the case of the later, a queen - commanding the room who could be standing before the masses naked and demand the same amount of respect regardless.

But could she be that or would it come off all wrong?  Would Gavin see it as strong… or, a communication that they should never have left the room?  Or worse would he absolutely be embarrassed?  Women didn’t dress this way - nice women didn’t dress this way.

I’m a Luciano.

Her eyes drifting back to the safer dress on the bed.

I’ll cut the throat of anyone who looks at me like a whore.

She looked back to the mirror raised her chin.  

I am Dragon.

She drew a breath and smiled to herself.

I’ll rip their balls off with my teeth.

And so it was decided, and the queen’s dress went back into her suitcase and the dragon’s remained on.  A small clutch purse in hand she went out her door to find Neil waiting.  His eyes bulged and mouth went slack at the sight of her.

“You have something to say?”  She asked him.

Neil made a wolf whistle noise, but quickly bobbed his head from one side to the other and pointed to his right ring finger.  The finger on which her father wore a large ring that people were often in the habit of kissing when showing their fealty.  Where as the crown had been Marie, the ring had become their sign for Salvatore.

“My father’s not here, is he?”  

Neil patted his chest in a rhythm of a heartbeat, stopped, and stuck his tongue out to the side as if faking the face of a dead man.

Isabella laughed.  “Yes, it would.  I suggest we don’t tell him about this one… this is for Gavin.  Gavin’s eyes only.  You saw nothing.”

Neil nodded emphatically in agreement.

“Where is he?”  Isabella asked.

Neil held up his hands as if holding a hand of cards.

“Poker then?”

He nodded.  

“Take me to him.”

Neil checks his gun once, straightened his jacket and stood a bit taller, making quite the impressive sight as he kept a quick and purposeful pace out of the hotel and into the Casino.  With each long stride, she made her whole leg clean up to her thigh, appeared as did her rather expensive heels.  

Her necklace was, ironically, rather collar like - a small fortune in diamonds.  One she’d taken in one of her earliest heists.  She’d loved it from the moment she’d put her hands on it and never could part with it.

Heads turned as she passed, men stepped out of her way and doft caps and fedoras.  The masses parted like the red sea before her as they cut a path through the main gaming floor to the poker room.  

She did not turn, but kept her eyes straight ahead - no one and nothing in this place had any interest to her now.  She had one goal, one prize and it was that look in his eyes the moment he saw her.  She’d bought this dress for him after all, she’d wear something like this for no one, but Gavin.  She just prayed she hadn’t overestimated his desire to see her acting… bold.  Because, as she’d said about the color red on the beach, red was NOT a color for the faint of heart.   

She had expected him to be seated so he could see the door, she was happy to see she was right.  She knew any second now he’d look up from those cards and see her coming towards him.  This was it - she held her breath and entered the room as Neil opened the glass door.
 

Gavin was having a good night at the tables. He’d doubled his money and was steadily moving toward more when his eyes were pulled to the vibrant red coming in through the door. He registered that it was a beautiful woman a millisecond before realizing just who that beautiful woman was- despite his practiced poker face, he did a double take before looking back down to to his chips and smiling. Better to downplay his reaction. As she approached, he couldn’t quite hold back his grin- but his voice sounded normal.

“Nice dress.”

He winked.

Isabella smiled at Gavin and glanced down at his cards.  This would, of course, mean she would not be wandering around the table now.  So, having decided she was staying put she glanced around for another chair.  Seeing none immediately handy - being that the table was meant for play - she slipped around behind Gavin and draped her hands over his shoulders.  She watched each person at the table as they read their cards and silently tried to predict what Gavin would do next based on his.

More often than not, Gavin was more conservative than she would have been.  The truth was, this was why she usually went broke too early in the game to enjoy it.  She didn’t have the stomach for the long game.  She didn’t read people at the table the same way she did in negotiations… perhaps it was the Luciano in her, the desire to hit whatever she couldn’t ply with words, as opposed to waiting them out.  Throwing out money onto the table recklessly was rather like punching people, if she was honest about it.  Even ended about the same.  If you weren’t careful who you punched at - you’d be out and fast.

After Gavin raked in his next pile of money she leaned down and whispered, “I’m starving.  Any chance I can drag you away from the game for food or am I dining with Neil tonight?”  She chuckled.
 

Gavin enjoyed the feeling of Bella’s arms over his shoulders. Perhaps too much, as he promptly folded a hand he probably should have called with. Stacking his chips, he handed them to Neil.

“Go cash these in, huh? Take a slice for yourself.”

With Bella on his arm, they began leisurely making their way through the room.

“You know, I wasn’t planning on staying there the whole night. Just until you made an appearance. And you made quite the appearance. I feel like every guy in this place is checking you out right now.”

He’d seen at least two or three men glance at her when they thought no one was looking. Perhaps he’d be fighting off suitors by the end of the night…

“They are.”  She said with a smirk.  “But I only have eyes on one man so, if they come sniffing around… I’ll bite their heads off.”

She looked around the room this time. She allowed Gavin to lead her and followed whatever direction he wandered.  If he wanted to parade around a bit, who was she to complain?  This dress was meant to be seen and if he was proud to show her off - she would simply soak it up a while.

“I have another dress upstairs.”  She confessed.  “It was… tighter.”  She shrugged.  “I couldn’t decide which one was more appropriate for tonight.  In the end I figured I wanted something that breathed.  There are enough occasions back home to wear a stiff dress to.  How often will I get to put on a stunner like this and not be completely out of place?”

She lowered her voice conspiratorially, “I had to have the shop owner tell me that it wasn’t a sort of negligee actually.”  She laughed.  “I asked myself what manner of woman wore such a scandalous thing in public… and then I put it on.” 

She lifted her chin.  “I happen to like it quite a bit more than I thought I would.  Though I think I’ll be very glad of your company in a few hours when some of these men have had a bit more to drink.”  There were a few glances that were uncomfortable, she knew to expect them in a dress like this, but it was worth noting.  

“Of course, we may not make it that long.  I know how easily you get tired out these days and wouldn’t blame you one bit if you end up deciding you just have to get up into that king-sized bed before it gets too late.”  She chuckled.  Of course, she did not expect Gavin to tire out.  However, she wouldn’t put it past him to throw her over his shoulder and attempt to carry her up the stairs if he had to at some point.  Be damned his stitches.

The restaurant finally appeared seemingly out of nowhere.  The smells coming from within were heavenly and while she’d liked her fire roasted fish well enough - this meal was going to be one fit for a queen.  And she was most definitely ready for it.

“We should have them seat us on the veranda.  It’s a beautiful night.  You’ll give me your jacket if I get too chilled, right?”  They approached the maitre’d and Isabella stopped herself from speaking first.  It was strange but she’d become accustomed to giving all the orders, so much so that a date with a man was a reason to remind herself that sometimes it was nice NOT to be calling the shots.  

Granted… she’d LITERALLY told Gavin what to do if she got chilled.  She really did need to learn to control that aspect of her personality.  Sometimes it did more harm than good when it came to men.  Elias had always shouted at her when she got too pushy.  It was always back and forth between them and Will..

She pushed Will out of her head again.  He had no place here tonight.  She clung tight to Gavin’s arm and smiled at him, allowing him to speak for them.
 

At a certain point, he stopped sneaking glances at the dress and simply appreciated it for what it was: confidence. Dominance, even. He absentmindedly requested the veranda- either blind luck, Bella’s dress, or the fact that he’d won an obscene amount of money in poker had led them to get perhaps the best table in the place. The casino was located on a hilltop, and as they looked out, they small lights from the buildings below mirrored the starry canopy above. Gavin didn’t open his menu as he hung his coat on the back of his chair. He smiled as he looked at her, half-serious and half-teasing.

“And why couldn’t you wear that dress in Detroit?”