Page 13 of Mr. Right Now
“You know, I’ve done most of the sharing tonight. You’re not a big talker, are you? I’m going on and on, while you’re throwing out these one-sentence answers. I notice you tend to sit and listen a lot more.”
This woman had no problems reading him, and he didn’t know how it made him feel, particularly because she’d described him to a tee. Dante preferred listening because, most times, he found that people will reveal who they are when you let them talk. Although, his ex had hid it well until that ring hit her finger. Being more of an introvert didn’t help, either. His family, Ryan and a few other close friends were the only ones who he allowed to see his playful side. However, since they were supposed to be getting to know each other, he told her about his love of the beach, how he enjoyed running and playing basketball with the kids at the center. He also shared that he played the piano. His parents had insisted that he and his sister learn to play an instrument because of the connection between music and the brain. It helped with memory, cognitive function, and mood, among other things.
Her eyes lit up. “Oh, my goodness. You have to play for me one day.”
“Sure.” The excitement in her voice had him ready to say he’d play for her every day for the rest of his life.Whoa, whoa, whoa! Rest of my life?Dante needed to slow down. Deciding that he’d shared enough for one evening, he asked, “Would you like dessert?”
“No, thanks. I’m so full, I can’t eat another bite. But if you want to order some, please do.”
The dessert he craved wasn’t on the menu, but he shoved the notion aside and signaled for the bill. After paying, he retrieved his car from valet and drove her back to her condo. Once there, he got out and went around to help her.
Jayana leaned up and kissed his cheek. “You’re such a gentleman. I’m sure your father is really proud of you.”
Dante went still at the mention of his father. She must have noticed because she stared up at him with concern.
She placed a hand on his chest. “What is it, Dante?”
“My father passed away four years ago.”
“I am so sorry. Please accept my condolences. I didn’t mean to bring up sad memories.”
“I’m good.” Yet, he knew he lied. He hadn’t been good since the day he’d found his father lying in the middle of the floor of his parent’s bedroom. Between her caring look and comforting hand still moving up and down his chest, it took all his effort not to bolt. She was slowly tearing down his walls and he couldn’t find a way to make it stop.
Jayana nodded. “Would you like to come in for a minute?”
“Yes. You promised to show me your Marvel Lego collection.”
“Oh, yeah.”
He waited while she unlocked the door, then followed her inside and down a short entryway into a spacious living room.
Dante scanned the room. She’d decorated the room in shades of blue and gray, and whatever scent that filled the room made the space feel warm and inviting. “I like your place. How many bedrooms?”
“Two, which is perfect for me.” She walked over to a bookcase on the far side of the room and gestured with a flourish. “What do you think?” she asked of the Lego designs she’d placed on one of the shelves.
He followed and carefully lifted each piece and studied it with an engineer’s eye. The intricate design had him contemplating finding the nearest Lego store and purchasing one of his own. “This really isn’t for kids. It’s cool, though. How many pieces are in the Black Panther?”
“Almost three thousand. It took me a while to finish it.”
“I might have to buy one.” He placed them back on the shelf. “If I do, will you help me put it together?”
“Anytime you want,” she said, throwing his words back at him.
“What I want right now,” Dante said, easing her closer, “is to kiss you again.”
“I want the same thing.”
That’s all he needed to hear. Before he could move, she pulled his head down and fused her mouth against his. Her tongue tangled with his, curling around it, gently sucking and driving him out of his mind. He groaned deep in his throat. His hands charted a path down her back and hips, then beneath her shirt to caress her silky skin. He reacquainted himself with every curve and felt himself growing harder by the second. Nothing about the kiss fell in the category oftaking things slow. Everything in Dante’s mind shouted for him to stop this dangerous road he was traveling, but he couldn’t. Finally, he lifted his head. Their eyes held and a strange sensation stirred in his chest. He pushed it aside, reminding himself that he might be getting in too deep. What started as a one-time-only proposition was quickly morphing into something else. Jayana had turned out to be more than he expected. He’d never met a woman like her and he suspected he never would.
CHAPTER5
Dante had a mountain of paperwork that needed his attention, yet he hadn’t been able to concentrate all day. It had been over two weeks since their dinner date and Jayana dominated the space in his mind day and night. They’d shared a few kisses after hours, but hadn’t spent time together due their schedules. From her smile and dark, sparkling eyes to her giving spirit, she made it difficult not to fall for her. On Monday, he’d arrived to find a small gift-wrapped box on his desk with a note that read,Engineers need their favorite pen.She’d purchased three of them, all stemming from a passing conversation they’d had about him needing to buy more because the ink was almost gone in his current one. This morning, she’d left another note:A little birdie told me this was your favorite candy bar.A gift bag with half dozen Snickers bars accompanied it.
Ryan and Erika had nothing but good things to say about her, and both had come outright and told him to get his shit together and make Jayana his. Even some of the teens had picked up on the attraction and thought it would be cool for Ms. Cole to be Dante’s girlfriend. The only person who hadn’t weighed in was his mother, and he knew without a doubt she’d be Team Jayana, especially since he knew his sister had been providing a play-by-play. Not only did Jayana fit right in with the two outspoken women in his family, but she’d done something no other woman had done in four years—make him want to try this thing called love again. A knock on his door drew him out of his musings.
Dante stood, rounded the desk and greeted his friend. “What’s up, Big B?” Bryson eclipsed Dante’s six-two height by a good two or three inches.
“I can’t believe you’re bailing out of going camping this year,” Bryson said, pulling Dante in to a one-arm hug. “Out here being Mr. Black and dissing us little people.”
