Page 29 of Stolen Union

“Had things on my mind.” I pause. “Did you really want me to spend the night with you?”

“Yes. Dante, I just gave you my virginity. Of course, I wanted to spend the night with you. I wanted to snuggle.”

I scoff. “I don’t snuggle.”

“With me, you can,” she says, plopping onto the couch and throwing her arms around me. Her displays of affection surprise me. I convinced myself Gabriella didn’t want to be with me, but her actions prove otherwise.

I pull away from her. “How do you feel this morning?”

“A little sore,” she admits, flushing. “But otherwise, I’m good.”

“I worked your body hard last night.”

“Only because I let you.”

A smile forms on my lips. “Sure.”

She huffs. “I let you do that to me, Dante. That’s the only reason we had sex.”

“Oh, I know. And I’m glad you let me. It was fun.”

“So, then, why did you leave?”

She’s got me there. I can’t tell Gabriella about how fucked up my mind is, so instead, I stand up. “I’m going to buy you some clothes.”

“Great.” She gets up, too.

“You’re not coming.”

“Why not? You need me there to pick out clothes.”

“No, I don’t. I know your size.”

She crosses her arms. “How can you know my size?”

I let my eyes rake over her body, making her blush again. “Because I’ve seen you naked. I’ve touched every inch of your body. I know your size, Gabriella. I’ll be back in a bit.” I hurry out the door, locking it behind me before Gabriella can get more in my head.

I head to the nearest town and find her some shirts, pants, and dresses. I try to choose things I think she’ll like, but then I stop myself. Why am I buying things for Gabriella that she’ll like?

To make her happy, I realize. I want to make her happy, but the only way to truly do that is to let her go, which won’t make me happy.

I buy the clothes and hurry back.

I stop the van in the driveway when I see a man standing outside the cabin. I don’t recognize him. He’s older with wrinkled clothes. Possibly just some man passing through.

But my cabin isn’t anywhere someone could just accidentally stumble upon.

I get out of the van, and he turns to face me. “Can I help you?” I have my hand ready to grab my gun.

“Just checking the place out,” he responds. “Do you own it?”

“How did you find it out here?”

“I’m looking to buy a cabin for myself. I like yours. Can I make you an offer?”

“Why?” I ask. “So you can save the girl inside?”

The man’s kind demeanor instantly shifts. “Yes.” He reached behind his back, but I’m faster. I pull out my gun and fire it. The bullet hits his arm, making him stumble back and drop the gun he was trying to turn on me. I run over to him and kick his gun away.

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