“If I learn anything, you'll be the first to know,” I promise. I wish I had something that could destroy Norwood. I would give my left foot to have something that would ruin his life the way he ruined mine.
“I'd appreciate that.” He gives me a smile. “If you'll excuse me, I need to make the rounds.”
“Of course.” I smile and bob my head. There are lots of other wealthy benefactors for him to schmooze. The benefit of money being in politics these days is that I can buy it.
I'm tired. I've been tired all week. I wonder if I'm getting sick. I turn down a second glass of champagne. I've done my job. I've rubbed elbows with the people who are or will soon be powerful. It's time for me to go home and rest.
Chapter 18
A knock on my door wakes me. It's still dark outside, but this late in the year it's practically dark until noon anyway. I climb out of my cocoon of blankets and pad over to the door to find Dante waiting for me.
Seeing him makes my heart do flip-flops. I'm glad my family picked him. This is a match that is good on paper and in real life.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, going up on my tiptoes to kiss him. His cheek is cold and there is snow in his dark hair.
“I was in the neighborhood,” he replies, holding out a Styrofoam container. “I brought you some breakfast.”
I giggle, taking it in my hands. I can already smell the delicious scent of french toast inside.
“You sure know how to spoil a girl,” I say, grinning as I bring the container to the table and set it down. “Thank you.”
He grins. It's boyish and heartwarming. I love it. I love the way his eyes sparkle. I brush the snow from his hair, my eyes going to his. His eyes are warm and brown, wrapping me up with heat.
I go up on my toes again and kiss his perfect lips. Suddenly, I don't care about breakfast anymore. I'm a different kind of hungry. I'm hungry for Dante.
I deepen our kiss, tracing the curve of his upper lip with my tongue and nibbling on his lower lip once I'm done. Kissing him is like getting drunk. I feel lightheaded and wonderful when his lips are on mine, and I never want to stop. I want to kiss him until the world ends.
“Vesper,” he whispers. I love the way deep, rumbling way he says my name. Like he's breathless to have me. Goosebumps pop up all over my skin, but they're not from the cold. Even though I'm only wearing a baggy, over-sized I <3 NY t-shirt and panties, I'm not even close to cold. I love that Dante wants me. Me. Not the escort, the girl that he's just payin
g to be what he wants. He just wants me.
My body is responding to the way he's kissing me. I know the instant he does anything more than just kiss me, my whole body is going to light up in flame. I'm so hot for him, I'm afraid I'm going to melt.
His hands tangle in my messy hair, pulling me further to him, and pressing his mouth harder against mine. I can't break free of his grasp, not that I want to. He's in complete control, but I know he isn't going to hurt me.
He's dangerous. I know this. One doesn't become a crime boss without being deadly. I know I've made my own grisly choices. Things that keep monsters awake in the night. It's all a matter of perspective. I keep my family safe. He keeps his family safe. Soon, we'll be family to each other.
My lust warped brain doesn't want to think about that though. I want to think about him filling me. I want to think about how are bodies are going to join and the look of pure ecstasy that fills Dante's face when he enters me for the first time. Just thinking about how his body reacts to mine has my temperature rising.
He pushes me to the bedroom and I willingly stumble along. The room is still blissfully dark with the curtains pulled, and I feel my way to the bed. The back of my knees hit first and I lay back with Dante's weight following me.
He runs his hands along my arms, drawing them up over my head and then pinning them to the bed. I arch my hips into his, pleased with the way he thrusts back. He wants me. One of Dante's hands stays on my wrists, keeping me in place, while the other goes to my thigh. His fingers caress the delicate, smooth skin of my thigh for a moment, then slowly move upward, inching my shirt along with his hand. Up over my hip, up my ribs, up to my breast. I love the way his hands feel against my skin. He's so strong and confident.
Slowly, he caresses the soft swell of my breast. Electric tingles of want explode out from his touch and travel straight to the V between my legs. He pinches my nipple and it puckers tight in his grip. He groans slightly and I buck my hips up to the sound.
I want him so bad. Every inch of my skin craves his touch. Every nerve is singing his name. I need him to fill me, to make me whole.
Dante stands up, turning to watch me as he takes off his jacket and starts to unbutton his shirt. His eyes are practically glowing in the dark with want. They never leave me. I am the center of his universe.
“You are so beautiful,” he murmurs. I love the way his lips move. “Perfect.”
Dante is all muscles and testosterone. I can't help but stare at the male perfection in front of me. I lick my lips in anticipation. I want to taste his skin. He grins, watching me, and slowly undoes his belt. His movements are sensual and teasing.
“Touch yourself,” he commands. My hands fly to my panties without having to be told again. The thin, lacy fabric is already damp with my excitement. Dante's eyes flick to my fingers. “Take them off.”
I pause for a moment and he holds perfectly still, his pant button halfway out of the hole. He's waiting for me. I have to do what he says for him to keep undressing. I quickly comply, wriggling out of my panties and throwing them to the floor. I'm back in position on the bed, angled so that he can see me.
Dante finishes undoing the button on his pants. His fingers hold the zipper to his fly, but he stops there. “Shirt, too,” he says.