Page 54 of Unspoken Obsession

Living out in peaceful Canada in that little wooden cottage at the edge of the forest - it seems so distant now - like it was a life that didn't even belong to me - yet I crave that kind of peace. I want to be safe like that again.

I strip out of my dress, hanging it up behind my door. In the bathroom I splash a little make-up remover onto a cotton pad and clean my skin, staring at my reflection and wondering what Dante sees and thinks when he looks at me.

He makes me feel pretty. The way he looks at me makes me feel really beautiful.

He told me he likes me.

I smile at myself in the mirror.

He likes me. I laugh.

I brush my teeth and put on some moisturizer - then I throw on my oversized shirt and climb into bed.

Luckily, I am so tired that almost as soon as I rest my head on the pillow I fall asleep.

My dreams are busy though - flashing between being chased by my father's men - and being safe in Dante's arms - then being banned from Las Vegas and not being able to see my son again.

I wake up drenched in sweat. My shirt sticks to my skin.

I kick the blankets off me and take a deep breath, trying to calm my body down.

It was just a dream.

That will not happen.

Dante already promised he wouldn't ban you from Las Vegas.

Glancing over at the bedside clock I see it is five in the morning. I could sleep for another hour. Damion won't be up until six or six thirty - but with the way my heart is racing, I doubt I'll fall asleep again.

I get up and walk towards the kitchen to make coffee.

I guess I can research interesting places to go for dinner. A man like Dante can get anything he wants; he has probably been everywhere in Las Vegas. I want to do something different for him, something he will remember and be impressed by.

He has already impressed me with the amazing places he has taken me.

I want to return that favor.

With my steaming hot coffee, I carry my laptop to the sofa and curl my legs beneath me as I get comfortable.

After a few very generic search attempts I sigh in frustration. Typing in what is the best restaurant in Las Vegas is not how I am going to impress this man.

I need to think outside of the box.

Perhaps something that will take us away from the casinos and the city for a little while.

I smile as an idea forms.

I type in a search and find what I am looking for. It seems like something Dante might have never done. Also - I know I've cause trouble for him at the casinos, so it will be nice to avoid anything that reminds him of that. Even my father's goons will have a hard time following us. I grin.

I book two tickets for this afternoon and message Dante to let him know.

Me: Hello Mr. Russo. This is to confirm our dinner date. I will meet you at the Russo River Casino at four o'clock and we can go together from there.

Dante: That sounds perfect. I will be ready and waiting.

I am so excited all day that my mood lifts drastically. I have not felt this excited for something in such a long time and I really hope he likes it as much as I do.

At four o'clock I am ready and waiting outside the Russo River Casino. I'm wearing my white sneakers and a soft lace summer dress that sits just about my knees. My hair is braided over one shoulder and I am wearing the widest smile. When Dante walks out to greet me, he smiles at me. He puts his hand on my lower back as he leads me to his car.

---