Page 45 of Forbidden Obsession

He ate food, sipped his wine, and ate some more. “Luna, Gabriella, Alessandra, Franca.”

“Those are beautiful names.”

He nodded.

“Is Luna the oldest?”

“Of my sorella, yes.”

“Are you close?”

“Yes.”

I smiled, imagining Dominic with a close sister.

“Did you all get in trouble when you were younger, or was she one of those siblings who followed you around?”

“She’s what I imagine a younger brother would be. Bold, a leader, unforgiving, protective.”

“Unforgiving? She sounds as intense as you.”

“Almost.”

I smirked. “I’d love to meet her one day.”

“Why?”

“Maybe we’d have something in common; who knows?”

A deep laugh belted from his gut, and I frowned. “What’s so funny?”

“I can assure you, Penelope, there’s no commonality between you and Luna.”

“How can you say that when?—”

“Trust me. I know.”

“Hmmmmm.” I folded my arms. “You know, I can be a badass, too.”

More laughter floated from him, and I knew then he still saw me as this perfect little princess.

I pursed my lips and stared at him, my gaze stern.

Noticing my annoyance, Dominic dabbed his mouth again, rose from his seat, and walked around the table to my side. He pulled out a chair beside me and sat, bringing the aromatic scent of his allure right under my nose.

“You don’t need to be a badass, Penelope. You need to be you. That is why you’re here with me and why I can’t manage to stay away, even though I should.”

Tingles sporadically surged over my skin. “Are you saying you like me?”

He held my attention. “I do.”

A silly-ass smile spread across my lips. I couldn’t hold it back if I tried. Simultaneously, my stomach flipped, and a rush of emotions hit me at once.

“I like you too, Dominic. A lot.”

“Hmmmmm,” he growled. “You’ve made better choices in your life, I’m sure.”

My eyes widened. “Don’t say that. Why do you think so poorly of yourself?”

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