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“That’s part of the overall plan. I’m laying the foundation for a charity that would be able to do even more than I could myself. I mean, I’m going to put every penny I can behind it personally, but I’ll eventually be tapped out.” I flash her a grin. “My father likes to remind me that this is his money, not mine. I earn a salary from the company, and I guess I’ll get an inheritance someday, but I want to do this now, not when I’m fifty.”
***
Samantha
I can’t stop staring at him. Dante has a magnetic personality, even when he’s saying nothing at all. But seeing him like this, so enthusiastic, so animated… I just felt myself fall a little deeper in love with him.
Damn it.
As amazing as he is when we’re out at an event or even in bed together, he’s even more amazing now, relaxed and talking like this. I watch as he finishes layering the ratatouille, then pops it into the oven.
“I’m not much of a baker, which is why I ended up grabbing the madeleines for dessert,” he says, and I smile.
“I’m not, either. My mom was a heck of a baker, though,” I say, and he nods.
“Mine was, too.”
“Was?”
“My mom passed when I was eighteen. Janice is my father’s second wife.”
“I’m sorry.”
He nods, and then he sits on the stool next to mine and picks up his wine glass. “My mom was the do-gooder of my parents,” he says with a smile. “She would have loved this project. My dad doesn’t get it. But he knows I’m going to do what I want, and he knows that it will bring some positive press to the family. He’s always open to adoration from the press.”
“So your brother is more like your dad, then?”
Dante nods. “I’m older, but he’s been the obvious choice to take over the company for a long time now. I mean, I’ve pretty much always known I was going into the family business, but I’ve never been as into it as he is.” He pauses. “Enough about me, though. You’ve had the laptop out a lot lately, and you seem hyper-focused when you’re working on it.”
I laugh. “Nothing as exciting as trying to save the world. I’m looking at casting calls and housing listings in L.A.”
He raises his eyebrows. “L.A.?”
“Yeah. Once my father’s debt is paid, I want to get us out of here. We both need a fresh start, and if I want to get my career moving, I need to be where it happens.”
“Is your father going to go for that?” he asks slowly.
“I’m sure he will. He has cousins in L.A. who he’d love to see more often. And it’s not like we live in a great neighborhood or anything. I think a change of scenery will do us both good.”
He doesn’t say anything to that for a while. “L.A. is probably a smart choice,” he finally says. “Like you said, you need to be where it’s happening, right?”
“Right. And… I don’t know. As insane as this all started out, I recognize it for what it is. This is my second chance. This is a way to pick ourselves up, finally, after losing my mom. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank you enough for that.” I feel my face heat and look away. He’s watching me, and he reaches over and takes my hand.
“I’m glad it worked out that way. When I went in there that night, doing what I did was the last thing on my mind. Until I saw you,” he adds, and he starts rubbing his thumb over the back of my hand. “I’ve never done anything like that. And I doubt I ever will again.”
“Did you bid on me expecting that it would turn into us sleeping together?” I ask quietly.
“I’m not going to lie. I wanted you since the second I saw you, but that’s not why I bid on you.”
“No?”
He shakes his head. “I bid on you because I knew someone else would eventually, and I didn’t want that to happen. You didn’t seem like you belonged there. I had no idea at the time how true that was.” He looks back up at me, and I’m lost the second his eyes meet mine. “You never have to set foot in a strip joint again. You never have to escort any rich bastard again. Whatever made me tell Harry to bring you back to that room that night, I’m glad it happened. I’m glad I got to know you this month.”
I glance away. The softness in his voice has me thinking stupid, impossible things like “forever” and “love,” and I know better.
“I’m glad I got to know you, too,” I say, and I hate the way my voice catches. Enjoy the moment, because it’s all I have. Very soon, I won’t have Dante in my life. I’ll be starting over, and he’ll be moving on.
He’s about to say something, but the oven timer starts beeping, and he gives me one more look then gets up and goes over to the oven to take it out. We set the table together, and he pours more wine, then pulls out my chair for me. Before I sit down, he reaches out and cups my chin in his hand, and then leans in for one long, slow, toe-curling kiss that leaves me breathless and wanting so, so much more.
