Page 91 of Ivory Crown

“I don’t know, but I need to do something, Dante.”

I held my breath, waiting for his verdict. Dante's presence filled the room, a silent assertion of his power. But in that instance, as he evaluated my plea with those calculating eyes, I saw the slightest softening—a crack in the armor he wore so well.

"Okay," he finally said, the word slicing through the tension. "But it's on my terms, Jade. You don't step out of my sight."

"Fine." The agreement came out more sharply than I intended, but the promise of seeing Ellie, of reclaiming a sliver of my old life, spurred a rush of adrenaline through my veins.

"Good." Dante's lips curled into a half-smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. It was the smile of a man who knew he had the upper hand, even when making concessions. "We'll set it up. Today you'll see Ellie, and we can pretend everything's normal for a little while."

"Thank you," I whispered, the words tasting like both victory and defeat. With Dante, every give came with an invisible take—a reminder that my world now operated on his terms.

"Get dressed. Something nice," he instructed. "I'll have someone pick up Ellie."

"Wait, Dante." My voice stopped him in his tracks, and he turned, one eyebrow raised in question. "Just—thanks."

“But you do like it here, right?”

“It’s not like I dislike it, I’m just…this is a lot, okay?”

"Let me remind you what's so good here," Dante growled, his voice a low rumble that vibrated against my skin.

He crawled over me, the predatory glint in his eyes igniting a familiar thrill of anticipation in my belly. His lips found mine in a fervent kiss that tasted of smoke and dominance, a reminder not only of the man he was but of the hold he had over me. The sheer force of his desire was intoxicating, and I found myself melting into him despite my earlier resolve.

His hand traced a path down from my collarbone to the hem of my sheer shirt, his touch leaving a trail of heat in its wake. My breath hitched as he dipped his fingers under the lace trimming of my panties, his thumb drawing lazy circles on my lower abdomen.

"Dante," I breathed out, squirming under his touch.

"Hush, Jade." His voice was like velvet, soft and commanding. "How wet are you for me?”

A blush crept up my cheeks at his words and I bit my lip, holding back a teasing retort. He knew exactly what he did to me and just how much I craved him.

His fingers moved lower, slipping beneath the damp fabric of my panties. His eyes held mine captive as he explored the wetness between my thighs, a smug satisfaction spreading across his face.

"How wet are you for me, Jade?" He repeated his question, an arrogant

"Dante," I whimpered, my words melting into the air between us as I clutched at his shoulders, anchoring myself against the onslaught of sensations.

His thumb found my throbbing clit, rubbing it in rhythmic circles that had me writhing beneath him. The slow build of pleasure was exquisite, a testament to Dante's experience and his knowledge of my body.

“You need to answer me,” Dante said.

"I'm...I'm wet. I’m so wet for you," I answered, my voice barely above a whisper. The confirmation only seemed to incite him further, his fingers pressing deeper into the slick warmth of my core.

"Say it again," he commanded roughly, his thumb increasing the pressure on my clit. A strangled gasp escaped my lips as I obediently complied, repeating the words that seemed to intoxicate him with a sense of power and control.

His free hand discarded my panties, leaving me bare under his prying eyes. As much as I hated to admit it, being under Dante's control was thrilling. It was unexpected and scary and so damn intense; it made me feel alive at a time when everything else made me feel trapped.

In one swift movement, Dante rid himself of his boxers, allowing me to see the full extent of his arousal. His firm length sprung free, hard and throbbing with desire. My breath hitched at the sight, the raw carnality of it sending a fresh rush of wetness pooling between my thighs.

He didn't waste any time in positioning himself between my spread legs, the head of his cock teasing at my entrance.

"Dante...please," I begged him, needing to feel him inside me.

“You love this, don’t you?”

I nodded, words too difficult to form in my current state. "Yes...please," I whispered, unable to tear my gaze from his. He stared down at me as if devouring me with his eyes, and the intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down my spine.

"Dante..." I started, but my voice broke when he entered me. His hardness filled me, stretching me deliciously while igniting a wave of pleasure that washed over my body.

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