Page 78 of The Devil's Dilemma

I tiptoed to the door. He needed his rest.

“Dante?” He peered at me through sleep-filled eyes.

“What do you need?”

“I need you to hold me. Can you do that for me?”

Chapter eighteen

Austin

I’d felt him beforeI’d heard him enter the bedroom, acutely attuned to his energy. It sounded ridiculous, but after the events of the day, I needed comfort.

After Conrad had led me away, the screams of the men ringing in my ears, I’d looked back despite his warnings.

I’d expected to be horrified by what Dante was doing to them, but I kept watching him, awestruck.

He moved with such grace and wielded the sword easily. He was not new to using one. One by one, the men fell, but the moment the giant confronted him, my heart leapt into my throat. Would this be the end of him?

I needn’t have worried. The man was no match for Dante, who took him down as Samson had done with Goliath.

But when he killed Nick, my stomach lurched, and I threw up the meagre contents of my stomach.

That had hit me more than anything else I’d seen that day. Maybe it was because I knew Nick.

We went home and said goodbye to Grandpa, but I was a mess, especially because I didn’t know when it would be safe for me to see him again.

The ride to the casino passed in silence, and we said nothing when we walked into the apartment. I wanted nothing more than to shut myself away and cry into the pillow.

I’d fallen asleep eventually, but the second Dante entered the room, I was awake. What would he do? Would he come to me? But he tiptoed to the door. Disappointment rolled over me.

“Dante?”

“What do you need?” You. I need you, but I couldn’t say that. Instead, I asked for comfort.

“I need you to hold me. Can you do that for me?”

He hesitated. I knew he was torn about joining me in the bed, but he kicked off his shoes and lay next to me.

“Hold me, please.” I snuggled into his side and rested my head on his chest, the solid thud of his heart in my ear.

Why was I surprised? Why did I think the devil wouldn’t have a heart?

“How are you feeling now? Conrad said you watched it all.” His voice rumbled in his chest.

“I’m okay, I guess. Sad because I don’t know how long this will go on for. I can’t put my life on hold indefinitely.”

I cuddled closer and threw my arm around his waist. His heart picked up pace, and his breathing became shallow.

How long had it been since I’d been in bed with another man?

Far too long and feeling his taut body next to mine, I reacted in a way any horny guy would. My cock swelled, and he shifted his leg, causing more friction.

I held my breath. What would he do? Would he shrug me off?

“Don’t start something you can’t finish.” His voice was thick.

Oh, if I started it, I’d be finishing it, and my cock absolutely wanted to start it.

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