The door to the shop opened, and no sooner had Dante stepped inside than his eyes locked on mine and his mouth went slack. He had a ballcap low on his head and had just been pulling a black face mask over his mouth when he seemingly froze. We’d discussed prior to this that he should come with the hat and mask so that he wouldn’t get ganged up on like he had during our trip to the zoo, but even with the hat nearly hiding his eyes and mask resting beneath his beared chin, I saw the shock painted across his face. There was no containing my grin.
“Surprise,” I chirped into the phone still pressed to my ear.
We both hung up as Dante slowly crossed the entrance to my table. I stood and wrung my hands in front of me while my heart nearly beat itself out of my chest.
Dante’s gaze bounced between the numerous copies of my books, which were spread out on the table, before swinging it back to me. “You’re SC Draven?”
“In the flesh.” I shifted on my feet as I asked softly, “Are you mad that I kept it a secret?”
He leaned across the table so that his face hovered inches from mine. “I suppose you’ll find out later,SC Draven.”
A warm shiver rushed down my spine to settle between my thighs. The dangerously sensual purr in his deep voice promised something wicked.
I bit the side of my lip as heat swarmed my cheeks. “Can’t wait.”
He hummed, low and rough, and readjusted his stiff stance to stand back to his full height. Crossing his arms, he cocked his head. “I was going to give the author a piece of my mind about that brutal cliffhanger, but I guess you’ve already heard it, huh?”
“Just a bit,” I laughed.
He nodded and waved a hand at the set of books displayed in front of me. “I’d like to buy the entire trilogy.”
Happiness unfurled in my chest as I sat back in my seat and grabbed one of each book to sign. Even though Dante had read the first two books from the library, he wanted his own copies for his collection. That fact had me floating on a blissful cloud, so much so that I worried I might drift to the ceiling on an updraft.
I grabbed my blue sharpie to sign his books, but before I could, Dante chimed in, “Can you make it out to me?”
“Of course. Just ‘Dante?’”
He rubbed his chin where his mask still waited. “Hmm. That doesn’t sound good enough. Krail calls EmberhisEmber, right?”
I wasn’t sure what my villainous main male character’s endearment for the main female character had to do with me signing Dante’s books. Still, I nodded.
Dante grinned and placed his hands on the table to lean closer. “That’s who I want you to sign it to.Yours.”
That easygoing happiness in my chest smoothed out into something lighter while the buzz of joy settled into somethingsofter. The request had been unexpected, but as I thought about it while staring into those dark brown eyes, my grin widened. Nothing sounded better.
Without a word, I grabbed the three books for Dante and signed them.
My Dante -- your Serenity
I finished with my signature and stacked his new books neatly for him before handing them over. “Thank you for your purchase, sir.”
He took the three paperbacks and finally put his face mask in place. “Thankyoufor the story … SC Draven.”
A couple of girls approached the table, so Dante stepped aside so they could see me and the books. He went to the check-out counter while I gave my book pitch to the two women. They left my table with a signed copy of the first book, and that was enough to have my cheeks hurting from how much I was smiling, an expression I was accustomed to wearing but not used to trulyfeeling.
I sat back in my chair, too lost in my own exuberance to notice the presence at my back. It wasn’t until Dante’s strong hand landed on my shoulder and his warm masculine scent wrapped around me that I realized he had come up behind my chair.
He leaned down so that his unmasked jaw brushed over the shell of my ear and whispered, “Congratulations on your book release, Star.” No sooner had he whispered the words than he kissed my cheek and kept walking.
My gaze tracked him while unfamiliar flutters coursed through every vein in my body. How long had I craved to hear words like that from those I was closest to? How long had I ached to have my dreams and accomplishments validated?
Dante found a table in the corner of the bookstore where a mini coffee bar and reading section was set up with tables, plush chairs, and even a sectional. He chose a small table that faced where I sat, and he met my smile with one of his own from behind his mask before focusing on the books he’d purchased. He admired the two he’d already read, flipping through the pages with a softness like that which came when greeting an old friend. Not long after he was done, he grabbed the new release, sat back in his chair, and began to read.
I wasn’t sure why he chose to read here. Maybe it was because he was so eager to dive into the book that he didn’t want to wait for the drive home. Or perhaps it was because I was here, and even though I was busy greeting potential readers and manning my table, just being in view of each other made us feel like we were together.
Affection for the man who’d helped change my world bloomed in my chest. He’d given me so many new experiences and feelings in the time we’d spent together. For the first time in my life, I felt seen, accepted, beautiful. I had tasted real pleasure at his hands, and instead of shame or embarrassment during those intimate moments, I became emboldened and powerful.
Which made me wonder if the other shoe was about to drop.
