Page 41 of Desire

“Look at me,” Dante commanded, his voice rough. Emma opened her eyes, meeting his gaze as he stared up at her. She could see the desire in his eyes, and she knew that this was right. This was where she belonged.

“Let go,” he said, his voice low and commanding. And Emma did, her body shuddering with pleasure as she came apart around him. Dante followed quickly after, his body tensing as he filled her with his release.

Emma collapsed on top of him, spent and sated. Dante wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as they both caught their breath.

“I can’t believe this is real,” Emma panted.

“Believe it. This is just the beginning. I’m looking forward to many more depraved and delightful nights with you.”

As they lay there, Emma knew that this was where she belonged, with Dante, her Dom, her sanctuary, her home. And she would never let him go.

Chapter Twelve

EMMA

As Emma lay beside Dante, her heart still racing from their passionate encounter, she traced delicate patterns on his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing beneath her fingertips. There was something else she needed to talk to him about, but the words caught in her throat. This was the moment she had been simultaneously longing for and dreading. Part of her wanted to burrow deeper into his embrace, to avoid the conversation entirely. But she was trying to be brave and there was still a little of Queen Mab left in her that allowed her to blurt it out.

“We need to tell Joey about us before he leaves,” she said.

Dante’s fingers stilled on her back. “I know.”

What if Joey disapproved? What if their relationship caused a rift between Dante and him? What if Joey blamed her for breaking up their friendship? A thousand terrible scenarios played out in her mind, each ending in heartache and loss.

“I don’t need his permission to date you, but I would like his blessing,” Dante said.

“What if he doesn’t understand?”

“I’m not going to give him details,” he scoffed. “What we share...it’s sacred. And complex. More than he could comprehend. And it’s none of his damned business.”

Cradling the back of Dante’s neck, Emma guided his forehead to rest against hers in the barest hint of a nuzzle. In that infinite pause, she found her resolve strengthening like tempered steel. This was her life now, their unorthodox brand of passion that somehow struck a perfect chord between them. She couldn’t hide from it.

“I just want him to know that we’re together and be okay with it,” Emma said.

“I agree, and if he does get upset, then that’s his issue to deal with.”

“He’s been different about a lot of things after his tours. This last one really did a number on him.”

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