Page 28 of Throne of Sin

“One,” he starts, and I don’t want to find out what happens when he gets to three. I quickly slip under the blankets and pull them to my chin. “Good girl.”

He pulls me in against his chest and all I can think about is the fact that I’m not wearing panties. Well, that and what has happened to Dante to make him change so much over the last decade. He’s hot and cold and I never know what side of him I’m going to get. The littlest things seem to trigger this scary, demanding side of his. It’s well into the night when my breathing finally becomes regular, and even longer until sleep pulls me under.

Thank goodness tomorrow is my day off.

Chapter 14

Dante

“Timetogetup!”I lift the covers from Demi’s gorgeous body. She groans, trying to steal the blankets back.

“It’s my day off and I was awake all night.”

“Not my problem.”

“Dante,” her voice has a bite to it and it has my lips curving upward. “Fuck off.”

“Fine. When the girls get here, I’ll just tell them you’re still sleeping in my bed because you were up all night.”

She sits up, glaring. “What girls?” She shoves her mangled locks out of her face.

“Savio is fighting tonight. I make the girls breakfast on the mornings of his big fights and they typically stick around to help with the party set up.”

She huffs, getting out of bed. “I hate you right now.” She rips off my old sweater, leaving her back to me, but she’s fully naked. It’s a sight to behold. My cock instantly perks up, wanting to follow her into the bathroom. I give in to its demand and do just that.

“What the hell are you doing?” she asks, seeing me on her tail. I take off my shirt and undo my belt.

“Taking a shower. What are you doing?” I ask innocently.

She waves a finger at me. “Oh, no you’re not. I am.” She tries to push me out of the way her small frame does nothing against my bulk. I shove down my pants and boxers in one go, leaving me naked in front of her.

“Oh, my God.” She covers her eyes.

I lean into the crook of her neck. “I’m not shy, I don’t mind if you look.” She smells like chlorine and coconut. “Don’t worry, I’ll tell the girls you got really dirty and needed a shower when they get here.”

Her soft growl sounds way too charming on her. She pulls out her scrunchy that’s only holding half of her hair and her wild, dark locks fall clumsily past her shoulders. Time and age have made her more beautiful. Her hips have filled out and my fingers want to grip on to them. She leans over, turning on the water, her one leg rising with the motion.

I should never have followed her. Tormenting myself like this is stupid. I’m clearly not thinking with the right head. I need to keep her in a separate compartment and away from me. She looks over her shoulder and down at my erection. Her forehead lines grow deeper with her glare, her eyes trailing up my toned body, taking her time before she narrows them on mine.

I have to stop this cycle or I’ll always be just the guy she turns to for help. She turns to face me, and the first thing I notice is the deep scar that runs across her lower stomach. The urge to pull her into me and ask about it is strong.

Don’t do it.

I can’t stop staring at it as she steps under the spray and closes her eyes, so I leave the room, slamming the door behind me.

I don’t think she’d appreciate the cold shower that my body so desperately needs anyway.

Chapter 15

Demi

Dantestandsoverlookingtheparty in his backyard like a king. His forearms rest on the glass railing that fence in his balcony. Lights are strung above to cast a yellow glow. He surrounds himself with his brothers, Romeo, Max, and Savio. Sienna is there, too, but all the girls from the club are down on his stamped concrete patio, a clear sign we are below them. Once upon a time, I would have been up there with him.

I’m suddenly hit with an onslaught of sadness for what could have been. I should be up there with my best friend and our family. Instead, I’m surrounded by strangers. When I look back up, Dante is no longer looking down at us. He’s probably sitting and enjoying his throne of sin. I think I understand why he named his club that.

I walk toward the girls, who are all talking in a circle. Tanya takes a step to the side to grab a drink and my eyes instantly spot Dante just behind. He’s talking to a beautiful blonde while every other girl from the club eyes him, waiting to get his attention. He ignores them all, his attention solely on this woman. My stomach clenches and I’m overwhelmed with a feeling of jealousy. It’s irrational. I have no claim on him.

I step closer, wanting to see who this lady is and why she’s so special that he left his inner circle to mingle with us common folk. My feet keep going until I’m in the circle of club girls. I feel like a groupie and the thought has me stopping.

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