Page 16 of The Mafia's Seamstress

I sat up on the kitchen counter, my eyes focused on Dante. I had been purposely calling Dante Mr. Costa to keep some form of professionalism with him. I wanted to keep a wall with him.

I watched him roll up his sleeves, exposing his tan forearms. I could faintly make out a tattoo on his right arm. An emblem of some sorts. He dipped his hands in the hot water and continued scrubbing. His hands were hard at work and I found myself fantasizing about what they could do to me.

"I didn't know what coffee you liked so I asked the barista and she suggested pumpkin spice." Dante spoke in a soft voice. “It’s in season,” he said. I smiled.

"I actually don't like pumpkin spice," I said. Dante nearly dropped the sponge.

"You've been drinking it this whole time," he pointed out, looking at me in shock.

"I actually only took one sip," I said. He sighed.

"My coffee is black. I haven't touched it yet. Heat it up and add some milk," he offered. I shook my head.

"And you?" I asked. He threw me a killer smile that stopped my heart and made me squeeze my thighs. Fuck his pretty face. This man was making the wall I constructed crumble.

"I secretly like pumpkin spice," he said. I threw back my head in a full laugh. A man who could kill secretly liked pumpkin spice coffee of all things. Every time I thought I had him peg he said something that threw me off. Dante’s eyes softened as he watched me. My cheeks grew warm as he stared at me. There was more to this bad wolf than I thought.

I stirred my new cup of coffee and smiled while Dante was busy drying dishes. His character was interesting. I could tell from our first interaction he was a man who was made of steel. He liked things done his way and he didn’t put up with anyone’s crap. He did his best to not put up with my attitude.

However, even though the man before me was dark and dangerous, there was a sweet side to him. He helped clean my fucking apartment and liked pumpkin spice coffee. While I gave him shit and bossed him around he begrudgingly did what I asked.

I took a deep breath. So much had fucking happened in such a short time. Why wasn’t I freaking out more? Dante glanced at me and winked. I flushed.

I’ve always held a fire within me and typically it was something that I tried to keep tame. I was always getting in trouble for being blunt and impulsive. But the fire Dante had rivaled my own. He ignited me in more ways than one. With him I wasn’t afraid to burn.

"Let's watch a movie," I suggested. The bread was still baking and we had time to waste until then. Dante glanced at the couch in the living room. He nodded slowly, grabbing his coffee. We both sat on opposite sides, placing space between us. This was professional right?

I grimaced. Nothing about this was professional. It’s not like I was going to work on his suit. It was my day off. Therefore there was no reason for him to be here. He was a client sitting on my couch.

I threw on a random movie knowing full well I wouldn't be able to concentrate with him there. I had too many questions in my head. It’s why my sleep schedule was even more fucked up than normal. I looked over at Dante.

He casually took up the corner of the couch, his long legs splayed out. One arm hung back. His angle was basically an invitation to cuddle. Did mafia men cuddle?

I cursed at my thoughts. He was a part of the mafia. Part of the world my avô was tangled in and kept hidden from me. I felt conflicted with what he was versus with what he continued to show me. I glanced over at him for the hundredth time.

"Something you wanna say?" His storm colored eyes were playful.

You mean do.

“Do?” he questioned. I stiffened. I hadn't realized I said it out loud. This time he adjusted himself closer to me.

“What do you wanna do?” His tone was low and playful. My heart fluttered. How many sides of him was he going to show me today? First it was his usual grumpy self, then a softer side and now a playful one. What did I want to do? I wanted to kiss him, ask him questions, and finish his suit. I blushed. Dante shifted closer.

“Come on Lucia. Tell me. What is it you want to do?” he asked again. He needed to stop saying my name goddammit. But it had been so long since I’ve been with someone.

I had an itch that needed to be scratched and it was all his stupid fault with his muscles, gray eyes and tattoos. I wanted to feel his lips glide against mine, feel his hands rough against my skin.

But that would mean giving into him, into temptation. Dante was enticing that’s for sure. I was afraid that kissing him would be the first step into his inferno and once there, there was no going back.

"From the look in your eyes I think you know," I said. He offered a crooked smile that twisted my panties.

"I want to hear you say it," he demanded. He was leaning closer this time. The movie at this point was nothing but background noise. His other hand landed on my knee, tracing circles. Even through the fabric my body was beginning to burn.

"If I say it out loud it might happen," I said. My tone is on the verge of needy and I hated that. I hated how he made me want him. He was so close I could smell his smokey pine cologne. It was making my head spin.

"Do you want it to happen?" he asked softly. His hand slowly went up my thigh. I fought the urge to roll my eyes back. It really has been so fucking long since I’ve been touched by someone that wasn’t me.

My eyes could only focus on his lips. Should I? Maybe I should give myself a break and enjoy some fun. Just forget the world and just revel in the sensation for a bit.

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