Before I could, Dante plowed on, “I’m actually running out to grab some coffee and stuff. Would you care to join me?”
The color drained from my face as movement in my peripheral snagged my attention. I slowly turned my head to see a black sports car pulling into a parking space two spots down, and when the handsome figure emerged, I nearly dropped my phone for the third time.
Dante’s perfect lips were curved in a grin as I watched him speak into the phone. “Or if you prefer, we can grab something else.” He started toward the coffee shop I sat in front of, his brown gaze fixed on it as I tracked him with wide eyes. “We could grab breakfast or catch a movie or—”
He glanced at my car briefly before facing forward again. He suddenly stopped in his tracks. I held my breath, staring through my windshield like a deer in the headlights as he slowly turned to face me fully, our phones still held to each of our ears.
His lips widened into a mischievous smirk. “Oh. Hello, there.”
He hung up and stepped off the sidewalk. I feebly shook my head as he came to my door. My jaw had become permanently fixed to the ground, especially when he opened my car door and flashed his perfect smile. “Good morning, gorgeous.”
“I’m at a twelve now,” I croaked, my tongue practically disintegrating into dust at this point.
Laughing, he leaned down and reached into my car to turn off the ignition. I’d apparently lost the ability to function at all, because I was like a doll as he unbuckled me and grabbed my hand to gently pull me out of the car. Sparks fluttered along my palm and up my arm. His hand was so strong and warm, a fact I immediately banished from my thoughts.
“There’s no need to feel embarrassed,” Dante reassured as I trudged alongside him. “Would you feel better if I said I liked it?”
“No!” I gasped, covering my hot cheeks with my hands.
“Would you rather Inotlike it?”
“I’d rather have sent it to the right person,” I grumbled.
I wished I could rewind time to ensure I clicked on the right name. Or even better, I could’ve gone back to this morning and told my vagina to not be such a horny bitch. Then I wouldn’t have been in this mess where Dante had seen my …everything.
“Oh, yes,” Dante mused as he held the coffee shop door open for me. “That infamous boyfriend. He’s a lucky guy, that’s for sure.”
The compliment should’ve had giddiness lighting me up inside, but instead, it had my heart twisting in my chest. Dante thought Bradley was lucky to have me. If only Bradley or my family thought that.
I quickly shook the negative thought away and looked up at Dante as our last meeting came back to me. “Speaking of Bradley, I want to apologize for his behavior. He—He was really rude last night. I’m sorry.”
Dante and I got in line at the coffee shop. It was decently packed, thanks to the morning rush, and as people glanced our way, soft gasps rang out amid the overhead lofi music. I wasn’t sure if the numerous reactions were because people recognized Dante from Sinners Do It Better, or if it was merely because Dante was on another level of attractiveness.
Well over six feet, the tall man towered above everyone here. The hardened and defined muscles of his broad shoulders, arms, and chest threatened the material of his hoodie, even as he stood casually with his arms by his sides. Big, brown eyes were set in a sculpted dark face with neatly trimmed black hair and a short beard. A silver bar pierced the top of his ear, and a ring pierced his nose. He was a walking, talking sex magnet, and everyone here knew it.
“He was definitely something,” Dante murmured under his breath, drawing me out of my thoughts before I could begin drooling. His gaze went distant for a moment, but when he blinked and looked down at me, his casual charm was back. “So, I’m fairly new around here. Any good spots to hang out that I should know about, Star?”
I raised a perplexed brow. “Star?”
“Yeah. Fitting nickname, don’t you think?” he said, gently stroking a strand of my silver hair near my cheek. The back of his knuckle brushed against my skin, and though the contact was minimal, it shot fire all through my nervendings.
I cleared my throat and quickly turned away, letting his question bring my heart rate back down. “My favorite places might not be what others would consider good hang out spots. This café is my favorite place to get coffee, and their house cinnamon roll is the best you’ll ever have.”
“The best?” Dante repeated. He rubbed his black-stubbled chin skeptically. “That’s pretty big talk. I’ll be the judge of that.”
I waved my hand in a silent green light. “Judge away.”
We made it to the front of the line, and I placed my coffee order. Without hesitating, Dante added another hot coffee and two cinnamon rolls. He produced his card to pay before I could even open my mouth to object.
“Thank you,” I said as we stepped aside to wait for our order. “You didn’t have to do that. I feel bad. You’ve bought my stuff twice now.”
“I like doing it.”
I tried not to let his response go to my head, but, regardless, my heart raced slightly.
Our orders were called out, and we grabbed them before moving to a table by the window.
“Moment of truth,” Dante announced seriously as he opened the box that contained his delicious treat.
