His Enemy's Daughter

Chapter 3

Mi Vida — My Life.

ISABELLA

Am I really that unfuckable?

“No, no… Bella, wait,” Matteo groaned, his hand circling my wrist just as my fingers slipped under the waistband of his jeans.

“Why?” I whined, breathless and annoyed as I pulled away from his mouth.

His d**k was right there, straining so hard against his jeans it looked like it wanted to rip through the fabric, a thick wet patch already forming where the tip kept leaking for me, and this man still had the audacity to push my hand away.

Every. Single. Time.

Like I signed up for a lifetime of teasing.

I rolled off his lap with a scoff, my chest rising and falling in pure irritation.

“I’m so sick of this.”

He looked wrecked, his hair messy from my hands, lips swollen from kissing me like he wanted to eat me alive… yet he still wouldn’t let me touch him.

Eleven years of dating since we were kids, and we were still stuck at the start line.

We’d never gone past second base.

Never seen each other naked, just kissing like two people terrified of breaking a childish promise.

At this point, I felt like a grown woman trapped in a relationship with a guy who treated desire like it was a crime.

And God, I was tired.

“I want you untouched, Bella. Until we’re married,” he sighed, adjusting himself in his pants rougher than necessary. “We’ve talked about this.”

I rolled my eyes at him, staring at my Spanish, tattooed, annoyingly gorgeous boyfriend.

“Hm. I’m starting to think you’re not even in love with me,” I snapped. “You’re just in love with the fantasy of dating some untouched, innocent little virgin you can brag about. Like you enjoy the idea more than you actually find me attractive.”

“Bella, mi vida,” he rushed forward, grabbing my arms gently. “I have been flying to Italy from America every three days since you moved. Every three days. You can’t say I don’t love you.”

My throat tightened.

I bit down hard on my lip, trying to trap the stupid tears burning behind my eyes because it was true.

Painfully, undeniably true.

And here I was, acting like some ungrateful brat just because he wouldn’t touch me the way I wanted.

But… was it really a healthy relationship if our needs didn’t line up?

“You’re right… I’m sorry,” I breathed, the words tasting like defeat.

“Come here.” His arms opened, and I hesitated before stepping into his embrace.

At first, it was gentle… but then I felt him tighten his grip, holding me closer than I expected.

My stomach knotted, panic rising when I started struggling to breathe.

“Matteo, I can’t—” My voice shook.

His lips brushed my ear, low and sharp.

“You are mine, Isabella. You don’t question my love or my motives. Don’t you ever speak to me like that.”

“Matteo—” I tried again, but he cut me off.

“Is that understood?” His nails pressed into my arms. I gulped, my chest tightening.

“Y-yes,” I whispered.

The sharp beep of the door broke the moment.

It was undoubtedly Lola pressing in the code, and Matteo pulled back immediately, smoothing the front of his shirt like nothing had happened.

“Hey girl!” Lola beamed, but her smile died when she saw Matteo.

“Dolores,” he said, forcing a polite smile.

Lola’s eyes narrowed. “The keeper of the maiden.”

They were both people I’d known my whole life, yet I still didn’t understand why they couldn’t stand each other.

Lola hated being called by her full name, Dolores, and Matteo knew it, yet he did it every single time just to get under her skin.

Lola scoffed. “I see your virginity collar is still securely fastened, Bella.”

“Lola… not now, please,” I said, not ready for another round of their usual banter.

“I’ll see you next week. I love you,” he murmured, leaning down to place a quick, careful kiss on my lips before letting go.

“Are you okay?” Lola asked as soon as the door clicked shut behind her.

I forced a nod. He was just angry at how I’d spoken to him. I was overthinking it.

“I’m fine. How are you?” I replied, heading back to the bed, my heart still hammering.

The university felt more complicated than I thought. People kept to themselves, and making friends wasn’t easy. But at least it was peaceful.

Peaceful, if you didn’t count the loud Italian arguments drifting up from the café on the corner.

“I have a surprise for you,” Lola said, placing one of her many shopping bags in front of me.

“Lola, please tell me it’s not another s*x toy,” I rolled my eyes, though a smile tugged at my lips.

Lola was… very open with her gifts. She’d bought me my first dildo and lingerie when we were teenagers, and honestly, the most normal gift she’d ever given me was a snow globe when I was seven.

“It’s a dress. We’re going to a party tonight and don’t worry, it’s not a club. Maybe you’ll meet someone as hot as the man that picked you up from the airport,” she said.

I groaned.

I only told Lola about my mistake of entering the wrong car.

But at the same time, I wouldn’t put it past my dad to send more than one car of men to watch over his precious little daughter in a new country.

“Lola, I’m not going.”

I knew I’d said I wanted to explore my wild side a little in Italy, but right now, my energy barely stretched beyond the dorm and grocery store.

She opened her mouth, ready to argue, but the buzzing of my phone interrupted.

“One sec,” I said to my best friend, who scoffed and moved toward my closet to judge my wardrobe.

“Mom?” I answered.

“Matteo told me what happened.”

Of course he did. After my brother, he was practically next in line for my parents’ favor.

“I… I just—” I started, hoping she’d hear me out this time.

“Shut up, Isabella. Don’t speak while I’m talking,” she snapped.

And just like that, the fight went out of me. It always did.

“You should be ashamed of yourself. Do you even know how lucky you are to have him? I don’t want to hear excuses, young lady. Take a moment to think about your actions.”

“I—” I opened my mouth once more, but she cut me off with a sharp click as she hung up.

I blinked hard, forcing the t

ears back, tasting the frustration in my mouth.

All I did was obey, and still it wasn’t enough.

Fuck them.

Fuck them all.

“What time is the party, Lola?”

Screw them all, I’m done listening.