Page 47 of Beneath the Dawn

Especially today.

Since returning from California, he had tried making everything they did together special. Although he figured she assumed he was doing so because she would be leaving soon, that wasn’t the case. No, he was trying to show her, with actions, how he felt about her.

Still, maybe Rossi was right, and he needed to speak his feelings aloud, just to make sure she understood.

A part of him figured he needed his head examined to take advice from a man who was a devout bachelor, yet that was exactly what he was doing. Rossi was convinced that Marti loved him as much as he loved her. It hadn’t been anything she said, but he said it was there, in the way she acted. Dante might not have noticed, but it was clear to anyone who knew them.

Dante hoped that was true, because tonight, during their final beach date night, he was going to get everything out in the open. He was ready to declare his love for Marti, and hoped like hell she loved him back.

CHAPTER 20

Marti opened the door for Dante with a huge smile. Although she had spent the night at his house, she had left after breakfast--which always included them taking a shower together, making love, and sharing a cup of Avera coffee. He had arranged for some to be sent to her home in Billings, and of course, she had shown her appreciation for his thoughtfulness in the most passionate way she could.

Whenever he planned a beach date night for them, she knew he liked surprising her. Whether it was the meal he prepared, the scent of the fire starter, or the music, she could count on experiencing a night to remember.

She had seen him outside earlier, getting things ready, and although she was excited for their evening together, she was already missing him.

“Hello, Martina. You look nice.”

She was starting to like hearing her name on his lips…especially when they made love.

His gaze was scanning her body, and his smile told her that he appreciated her flowy, tea-length dress with slide splits that showed a lot of leg and thigh.

“Hi, Dante. You look good, too.” He was one of those men who looked absolutely fantastic in linen. His two-piece outfits always conveyed comfort, refinement, and sexiness. The one he was wearing now, in sky blue, made him look good enough to eat.

“Please come in.”

She took a step back, closing the door behind him after he entered. Then he reached out and pulled her into his arms. As always, their kisses went straight from 0 to 60, without much buildup. She loved being in his embrace, inhaling his scent, and appreciating the skill with which his mouth took hers.

He slowly released her and stood there gazing down at her. “I’m going to miss you, Martina,” he said after a quick swipe of his tongue across her lips.

If only he knew just how much she would miss him, too. This had been one wild month. Over the past few days, whenever she thought about leaving, she’d cover her feelings of sadness by initiating lovemaking with him. She wondered if he could feel her need? “I will miss you as well. Now, I think we need to leave before we get into trouble.”

“I agree,” he said, taking her hand, opening the door, and leading her out.

Something else they had agreed on was that there would be no more exchanging of gifts for beach date nights, deciding they were each other’s gifts. It had been his suggestion, and she doubted he knew how special that decision had made her feel.

They held hands until they reached the section of the beach where the firepits and torches were lit, emitting a jasmine scent. He’d set up a beautiful candlelit table for two, with one bottle of wine in the ice bucket and another beside it--both of their preferences. Not far away was a portable oven. It seemed that at every beach date night, he’d add another item for their convenience.

Marti moved closer, and from the smell of garlic, tomatoes, and basil, she knew whatever was in that oven was the type of Italian meal that Dante could cook so well. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “So, Mr. Avera, what are you feeding me?”

He strolled over to join her. “My Mom’s lasagna. After she passed away, Dad found the recipe, and on special occasions, he would always prepare it. So I thought it was fitting for tonight.”

She nodded. “Is tonight a special occasion?”

“I hope so.”

She took a step closer and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I hope you’re not happy to see me leave, Dante.”

“I’m not. I wish there was a way to get you to stay.”

She heard sincerity in his voice. “All good things must come to an end, right?”

He shrugged. “Not necessarily.” He then leaned in and brushed a kiss across her lips. “Let’s eat, and then we can dance the night away.”

She threw her head back and laughed. “Is that your way of saying you’ve got more pop tonight than jazz and R&B?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”