Page 152 of Oblivion

He had opened my eyes to a world that didn’t revolve around me. My experiences over the last six months taught me that unconditional love didn’t always appear in the most obvious form, and at times, it wasn’t easy.

Or pretty.

Or sensical.

I’d never had to fight for what I wanted. Not truly. Not until Dante came into my life. Life as an adult had been infinitely harder than I anticipated. But with Dante challenging me every step of the way, the battle had been worth it, and had only made me stronger. Madeusstronger.

I was dozing by the time Dante and Jackson finished their poker game. A gentle touch to my knee opened my eyelids to those amber eyes smiling with affection.

“Sorry for waking you, Lemon Drop, but we’re prepping for landing.”

“Oh.” I sat up in a daze, and tightened the belt across my lap. “How’d the game go?”

Dante snorted. “I lost a little money.”

“A hundred,” Jackson coughed behind his fist, on his way to the bathroom.

“A hundred,” Dante confirmed, smirking as he sat in the seat facing me.

Once there, he seemed a little on edge. He set his elbows on his knees and rubbed his hands together nervously. The action made me grip the armrests.

“Why do I get the feeling you’re about to say something that I may not like?”

His eyes held mine. “I want to know where you want to be dropped off? Your place… or mine?”

I mashed my lips together to stop a giggle escaping. Him being all vulnerable was too damn cute.

“And if I said yours?”

Instant optimism lit his expression, then his smirk turned devilish.

“Then I’d make sure you’re aware that you won’t be stayin’ in the spare room; you’d be in mine.”

“I think I like the sound of that.”

“You think? Or youdo?”he pressed.

Smitten vibrations hummed through me. “Idefinitelydo.”

Dante smiled and reached for my hand. “I know we still have a lot to talk about, and I’ve still got to prove myself to you, but I’d really like to start re-building your trust…”

“Dante.” I sighed. “You don’t need to prove yourself to me. I’ve seen all sides of you, and yet I’m still here. The trust part? Before what happened with your ex, I wholeheartedly trusted you. And, while I believe I’ll get back to that place, it’s gonna take a little time. There’s still a lot of my own family drama I’m trying to work through.”

He nodded solemnly. “I understand. But, can we start by you moving back in?”

I smiled and squeezed his fingers. “I think that’s the perfect place to start.”

Jackson made a timely return and sat across the aisle from us. “So, what’s the plan from here?” He cut his attention between me and Dante.

“Plan is, Muff, that Penny is coming home with me.”

Jackson looked pleased. “Good plan, Manbait. With what happened this last week, and with Pen standing by your side, this one’s a keeper.” He thumbed in my direction.

“No need to tell me that, brother. I knew she was special right from the start.”

Dante gave me a smoldering look. One that spoke of illicit fantasies.

One that screamedVegas.

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