Page 37 of Unspoken Obsession

I put the empty bowl in the sink, filling it with a little water and leaving it to soak overnight. I tiptoe through to my bedroom, and pull my dress off, leaving it on the floor as I step out of it. I am so tired my bones are aching. I've been thinking too much, and it's giving me a headache.

I need sleep.

I need to make better choices.

I need to stay away from Dan, even though my heart hurts just thinking about it.

In the morning I wake up to a little voice calling me. "Mommy." I drag my eyes open. "Mommy." Damion whispers as he pokes my shoulder. I grin as I blink at him. "Morning, my beautiful little boy. Did you sleep well?" I lift the corner of my blanket and he smiles, climbing beneath the covers and cuddling into my arms.

It's Saturday, and I promised Damion, I would take him shopping for a new dinosaur toy. He has been talking about it all week and he knows today is the day.

"What do you want for breakfast you little rascal?" I asked, nuzzling my face against his hair.

"Sea-really."

"Cereal? The colorful one?"

"Yup." He nods, wiggling away from me. I release him and he climbs out of the bed, waddling towards the kitchen. If I don't get up to help him, the kitchen is going to turn into a three-year-old's war zone within about five minutes.

I hear something banging. It's already started.

Hurrying towards the kitchen, not quite awake yet, I find him dragging one of the kitchen chairs towards the cupboard.

"Oh no, leave that where it was. I'll get it down for you."

Damion and I carry our cereal to the living room where we sit on the fluffy rug together, eating and chatting about what shops to go to for his new dinosaur toy. Which dinosaur is his favorite? And what's he going to name it?

I am smiling the entire time. This little boy is my entire world.

He is the only thing I should be focused on.

I don't need to be thinking about men - even very specific, tall, dark, and handsome men who make my heart thunder.

My phone beeps and I glance at it, seeing a text from Dan.

Dan: Tomorrow afternoon can I pick you up for a dinner date?

I sighand bite at my lower lip. I should say no, but just reading his message has me smiling and butterflies are flapping in my stomach. I sigh.

Me: That sounds lovely, but I can meet you somewhere - maybe the Russo River Casino?

Dan: Meet me downstairs at the entrance at five.

I confirmthe date and put my phone back on the coffee table. Damnit Frankie, just when you were telling yourself to stay away from him. What is it that makes him so difficult to resist? Even being at the casino is becoming more dangerous. The more timeI spend there the riskier it is. But I'm not only there for the cards now. I am there for him as well.

DANTE

"The airport?" She asks, shocked, as we pull onto the tarmac of the runway.

I drive along the long stretch towards the hangar where I keep my private jet.

She shifts nervously in her seat. "Dan, I can't."

"Don't worry. You'll be back by midnight."

She glances over at me with narrowed eyes. She is biting her lower lip - it looks so cute when she's thinking this hard, trying to make important decisions, fighting with herself.

I chuckle, pulling to a stop right outside the hangar.

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