Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Dante smiles and spins me, then dips me low. He kisses my collarbone. “Only you would have a smile and gentle words for a killer,” he murmurs against my skin, then lifts me upright.
I’m tempted to tell him I know a mirror when I see one, but I keep the thought to myself. Loss makes you a different person, some snap under pressure, others thrive on it.
****
It’s been a beautiful night. I didn’t think I’d enjoy myself so much. My feet ache and I can’t wait to get home and get into bed. Dante has to stick around a little longer. He’s been shaking hands with donors as they leave the event.
I adore how he’s focused and determined. The charity fell short a few thousand from the goal. Dante has charmed a few more donations from those who have stopped to ask for favors.
So, I suck it up and allow him to do his thing no matter how tired I am. This charity means a lot to him. Some lucky young men are going to get to travel and learn to cook, all expenses paid. Dante turns to me and pulls me into his side to kiss my temple.
“We’ll only be a little longer,” he murmurs.
I yawn and place my head on his shoulder as he wraps his arm around my waist. I absorb some of his strength and try to hold my eyes open. It’s at that moment something catches my eye.
Suddenly, it’s like the atmosphere shifts. Tires squeal somewhere nearby just before gunfire rings out. From the moment I notice something is off, my instincts kick in and I go to reach into my clutch, but Dante throws his body against mine, covering me like a human shield.
I scream and clench his tux jacket as his back bows. His face is tight with pain. I fall backward, tumbling to the stairs we’ve been standing on. Dante’s big body lands on top of mine.
Zek and Mitch appear out of nowhere and start to fire back at the speeding car. Our car races up and Mitch helps Dante up as he rushes us both into the car. We’re sped away as panic seizes me.
My heart is racing. I feel like it’s going to pound out of my chest. Dante groans and reaches for me.
“Babe, are you okay?” I say frantically.
He slumps down in his seat and tugs me against his chest as he starts to unbutton his dress shirt. I cup his face with a shaky hand. Tears run down my cheeks as I look him over for signs of an exit wound.
“I’m fine, were you hit? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Why would you throw yourself in front of a bullet for me?”
He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. I drop my eyes to his chest and see the bulletproof vest. It’s one of Denise’s designs. I know it well. It’s superthin, but effective as fuck.
“Please promise me you won’t ever do that again,” I whisper against his lips.
He crushes his lips to mine in a searing kiss. All tongue and passion. I’m breathless when he pulls away.
“That’s a promise I will never make. Because I will break it every time.”
More tears fill my eyes and this time, it’s because it hits me how much I love this man. I never would have forgiven myself if something happened to him.
He pulls me to straddle his lap and I go willingly, needing to be closer to him. He’s back devouring my mouth. I grasp his face and return the kiss. He slips his hands into the slits of my dress and palms my ass.
Groaning into my mouth, he squeezes my ass and brings my hips into his growing erection. I reach to push his tux jacket and shirt from his shoulders. He winces a bit as he helps to get them off.
“Sorry,” I murmur.
“You’re fine. I’ll be sore tomorrow, but it’s fine.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t.”
He growls and slips his fingers inside me from behind. “I need to be inside you. Someone tried to take you from me. I have to have you now,” he breathes into my mouth.
I comb my fingers through his hair and lock them in the top as I grind into his lap. The sound of my panties tearing fills the SUV. We break the kiss and I reach to release the Velcro strips of his vest. He eases it over his head and tosses it aside. I lean in to kiss his chest.
As if with impatience, he reaches to grab a handful of my hair and tugs my head back. We lock eyes and I see he’s not in the mood for slow and easy.
Reaching for his belt, I work on releasing him as I take in the darkness in his eyes. This isn’t my Dante. This is the look he has when he comes in late from business that doesn’t hit his schedule or my emails.