“Oh not like that. Just that I have a contract, and I had to keep working through my training period, or I’d lose all my progress and have to start afresh with no qualifications.”
“And what did she do, meanwhile?”
“Took early retirement. She lives in Spain.”
Dante grits his teeth. “Is that so?”
“I don’t mind. She worked hard all her life running her hair salon and bringing me up alone. I was a lot of hassle as a child. Needed things all the time.” I say the words almost by rote, and as I finish, a low rumble of discontent makes me look over at Dante.
In the creamy half-light from the garden lanterns, his face shadowed, Dante looks as demonic as his name implies.
“That’s not how you treat someone you love.”
I jolt at the word love. It’s so unexpected from a man like Dante.
“Not how you behave towards a child.”
“I’m not a child.” I bristle. I don’t want him thinking of me that way.
“You’re not.” He turns to look at me fully, allowing his gaze to fall slowly taking in all my curves in this dress. It’s not revealing,but for a second it’s as though his eyes burn off all the fabric and see me entirely. Naked skin, needy little heart, insecurities and all.
My clit pulses. I press my thighs together as wet heat floods me.
He smiles, his face softening. “Family, then. It’s not an acceptable way to treat family, and I wouldn’t allow it.”
My mind goes to how Dante and his sister supported Francesca getting married, down to ensuring her dog was involved, and her best friends present even though they had food poisoning.
Would my mother do any of that? No.
I look back at the lake, because Dante’s quiet sympathy and anger on my behalf is more than I can cope with.
I want to return to the moment earlier when he was looking over my shoulder and was close enough to kiss.
It’s not like I can change any of this. I can’t swap my family, or join the Angelini family. But I have this one evening, this single opportunity.
I could lose my virginity, finally. Dante would be an amazing first.And only, a sly voice in my head adds.
“Dante.”
He turns immediately, as though I’m important and he wants to hear whatever I say.
“I was thinking…”Would you like to fuck me however you want? I’d be happy with literally anything, I think, because I’m squirming with desire for you. I’m hot and wet and achy.
I’m not sure how to phrase my request.
“What is it?” He dips his head, so his face is level with mine. His green eyes are shadowed and his white shirt open at the neck makes me more than a bit feral.
“I…” Still don’t know how to say it.
So I take the plunge. I kiss him.
8
DANTE
I close my eyes and sink into Ruby’s kiss. She’s so young, and her timidness in parting her lips to allow me entrance makes me suspect she hasn’t got much experience with men. So, I take it slowly, my hand light on the nape of her neck, then curling into her hair. Soft, so soft, like silk. I keep all my ravenous needs at bay.
At least for now. In the privacy of my mind, I imagine taking her to my room, and undressing her. Worshipping those perfect little tits until she moans and writhes. Covering every inch of her skin with kisses as I discover all the secret places that she’s ticklish, sensitive, and make her writhe with longing.
