He cupped my face gently, his eyes locked onto mine with a fierce intensity. “I want you too. More than anything. And I’m not going anywhere. I’m here to be whatever you need, to give you everything I can.”
The raw honesty in his words made my heart ache with longing. I leaned in, pressing my forehead to his, and let myself get lost in the depth of his gaze. In that moment, all the fear and uncertainty seemed to fade away, leaving only the undeniable connection between us.
I hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. “Dante,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper, “could I... could I come to your room after I put Mia to sleep tonight?”
His eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and warmth in his expression. “Of course,” he said, his voice low and reassuring. “I’d like that very much.”
I gave him a small, shy smile before turning to Mia, who was now finishing up her playtime with her toys.
After dinner, the atmosphere in the house was relaxed. The three of us shared a pleasant meal, the food and conversation easing the tension between Dante and I. He was charming and attentive, and I found myself laughing more than I had in a long time.
As we finished eating, I decided it was time to get Mia ready for bed. “I should probably get Mia to sleep,” I said, glancing at the clock. “She’s probably getting tired.”
Dante smiled warmly. “I’ll help you if you need it.”
“That’s sweet, but I’ve got it,” I replied with a playful grin. “You might need to rest up for later.”
His eyes sparkled with interest. “Oh? Something I should know?”
“Just a little something to look forward to,” I teased, giving him a wink.
Heat flared in his eyes, but he didn't say anything more. He followed me upstairs with his hand on my hip as we moved, a constant reminder of how much I needed him.
I took Mia to her room and went through the bedtime routine. I read her a short story, tucked her in, and kissed her goodnight. As I left her room, I felt a mix of relief and anticipation.
After making sure Mia was settled, I went to the bathroom to freshen up. I took a quick shower, letting the warm water soothe away the day’s stress. I changed into something soft and comfortable, taking a moment to look in the mirror and gather my thoughts. I was willingly walking into his lair. No contract was forcing me to seek comfort in his arms. The ache inside that yearned for that reconnection is what had me longing for more of what he offered.
When I was ready, I made my way to Dante’s room. The house was quiet, the soft hum of the night providing a soothing backdrop. I knocked gently on Dante’s door before pushing it open.
He was sitting on the edge of the bed, his gaze immediately drawn to me. “Hey,” he said, his voice warm and welcoming. “Come in.”
I walked in, trying to keep my nervous excitement in check. Dante stood up, his eyes following me with a mix of admiration and desire.
“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice sincere. “I’ve been looking forward to this.”
I smiled, feeling a flutter of excitement. “I’m glad. I’ve been thinking about it all day.”
Dante moved closer, his gaze intense. “How about we make this night special? I want to make sure you’re comfortable and happy.”
I took a step toward him, feeling the warmth of his presence. “I’m sure you’ll do just that.” He'd made our first time that way, too. I didn't doubt his ability to make this good. Actually, there was very little I doubted about him. It's what made it much too easy to fall into being his wife.
Dante’s hands found my waist, and he pulled me into a gentle embrace. “What do you need?”
“You.” I exhaled the word more than said it.
We shared a tender kiss, our connection growing stronger with each touch. Dante’s hands were soft but confident, making me feel cherished and desired. As we continued to explore each other, the world outside seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us wrapped in intimacy and trust.
I leaned into him, savoring the closeness. “Thank you,” I murmured, feeling a rush of affection. “For everything.”
Dante’s lips touched mine in a gentle, lingering kiss. He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching mine for any sign of hesitation. When he saw none, he leaned in again, his kiss deepening, filled with a mix of passion and reassurance.
We took our time, letting the intimacy build slowly. Dante was patient and attentive, making sure every touch and kiss was meant to soothe and connect. Even while he was inside me, he was gentle. As we finally settled against the pillows, wrapped in each other’s arms, I felt a profound sense of peace and connection. Though something seemed off.
“I can feel you holding back with me when we're together.” I admitted to him. “Why?”
Dante took a deep breath. “I want you to be comfortable in what we're doing. Your pace is ours. You've been through a lot.”
“You think I'm damaged.” I froze.