Page 37 of Sin and Seduction

“Christ, he’s heavy. I thought I was the fat one,” Oscar hisses, and I step to his side, pulling Dante’s arm off him and pulling his weight to me.

“Let’s get him to bed,” I say and help Paolo pull my drunk husband up the large staircase and into our room.

Once we get there, Paolo drops him to the bed, and Dante falls with a groan.

“Puto bastardo,” he grumbles, and Paolo rolls his eyes.

“That’s enough out of you, boy. I’m not the one who smells like a distillery,” he says, fixing his cuff links and straightening himself.

“Thank you, sir. I can take care of him from here,” I say as I walk Paolo to the door.

“Please do, dear. I need a man to take care of my business, not a fucking child,” he hisses in Dante’s direction, and Dante flips him off.

“I’ll have him ready in the morning,” I whisper and open the door for him.

He’s just about to leave when he turns and takes my hand.

“You’re a smart girl, Esmeralda. Camila has told me everything about you, but I felt it when I met you the other night. Take care of him. He needs you more than you know,” he says before kissing my hand and walking down the stairs.

I close the door and rest my forehead against it, sighing deeply.

“Mi ciela,” Dante says from the bed.

I sigh once more and press my forehead deeper into the door, not wanting to face him or deal with him yet, especially since he’s drunk.

“Emmie, please. Just look at me,” he mumbles, his words slurred.

“I’m not in the mood to,” I say as I walk to him and start taking off his shoes.

I keep my eyes averted the entire time as I undress him. He lets me pull him up and walk him to the bathroom, his large form stumbling the entire way. I sit him on the toilet as I start to run a bath. Once the water feels warm enough and fills all the way, I help him up and into the tub. Once he’s settled, I walk to the door but stop when he calls my name.

“You’re not going to join me?” he mumbles, and I shoot daggers at him.

“You think for one second that after the way you humiliated me in front of everyone today, that I would bathe with you? Guess again, buddy,” I hiss and he laughs, infuriating me more.

“Buddy.” He chuckles, playing with the word and pissing me off.

I turn again.

“No, no, wait! Please, mi ciela. Just bathe with me,” he slurs, and I roll my eyes.

“Not a chance. Let me know when you’re finished,” I say.

“I hate it when you’re angry with me,” he says sadly, making me stop and turn to him.

“I’m not angry with you, Dante. I’m hurt,” I say, and he looks up at me, his amber eyes wide and glossy.

“So tell me of your hurt, baby. Scream at me, hit me, fuck me. Do whatever you want to me. I acted like a fool today, and I’m sorry—”

“Don’t you even think about fucking apologizing to me!” I shout, getting in his face and poking his chest hard as he winces.

“You can’t just act like an asshole and expect to get away with everything you do with an apology. You embarrassed me today. You called your sister a whore! Neither of us deserved what you did. I’ve done nothing but protect you and your family, and you act like I’m the enemy every time. You’re making an enemy out of me now, Dante,” I hiss, and he frowns.

“You’re not my enemy; you’re my wife. Please, just give me time. I’m trying here, Emmie, I really am. You have to give me time to show you,” he pleads, his eyes wide and earnest.

I stand there with my arms folded, frowning at him. I already forgave him, but I like the sight of his groveling too much to tell him that just yet.

“You look so sexy when you’re pissed,” he says, his eyes looking me up and down.

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