I let loose a deep moan, and Dante whispers, “Yes,” knowing what’s about to happen.
When I come, I bring him with me, in a slow but powerful release that leaves us both trembling. Shattered and spent, I sprawl on top of him, scattering lazy kisses along his neck.
“See? Good things happen when you trust me,” I murmur. “They might be different and new, but they’re still good things.”
He chuckles, his hands crossing over my back. “I’m starting to see that.”
Dante’s face appears younger when I look down at him this way. Free of stress lines, the corners of his mouth and eyes soft. I trace his lips with my finger. “I mean it. I rely on you for so much. Too much, really. But it’s okay to let some of that go. I can be a partner. Arealpartner.”
He sits up, bringing me with him so I’m straddling his hips and we meet face-to-face. My hair falls over my shoulders, the ends teasing along his chin. He brushes it back before taking my chin and meeting me for a kiss.
“I’ve never had a partner before, but I’m going to try, Frankie. I’m going to really, honestly try.”
19
Frankie
“So. What should we do today?”I ask, digging into my black truffle and crab frittata.
Dante raises a brow at me from across the small table at the Grill.
I have to laugh. “Asidefrom sex.”
“Hmm…” He looks off in thought as he chews a bite of smoked salmon benedict.
“We should probably spend at least a little time vertical,” I add. “I picked the hotel, so you get to pick the activities.”
He pauses before answering, a pensive look crossing his face. This is the most serious I’ve seen him since we got here. “I’m actually not sure. I’ve never really taken a vacation.”
I set my fork down. “Neverhad a vacation?”
“Not really. My father said vacations were for people with nothing important to do.”
“Oh, you poor little rich boy,” I tease. One corner of his mouth turns up when he catches my expression. “Mind if I take the reins on the activities, then?”
He leans back in his chair, his lips pulling into a line. “Okay…”
I can’t help smiling. “Why do you sound so uncertain?”
“Because I can just imagine what’s going on in that head of yours.”
“Maybe you should be scared, then.” I’ve been tossing an idea around, and his good-natured sarcasm just cemented it. I lean toward him with a look of concern. “One question. Do you even own a pair of hiking boots?”
“No,” he says firmly.
“I figured as much,” I say, shaking my head. “I’m gonna need to make a couple calls.”
An hour later we’re in Dante’s car, our brand-new boots still wrapped up in their boxes in the back seat, along with a tote full of supplies I requested—it turns out having a personal butler included with your suite actually comes in handy. I only had to make one call.
Dante is driving, but he has no idea where we’re going. I’ve been feeding him directions little by little along the way. We go up the 101 about twenty miles and then turn off at San Rafael, eventually making our way to a street lined with shops, restaurants, and cute cafés, the marquee of the Rafael theater visible just down the block.
He looks at me quizzically as I instruct him to pull over and park. “This is our activity?”
I laugh. “Not quite. Just sit tight. I’ll be right back.”
With that, I give him a quick kiss and run into my favorite Puerto Rican restaurant to pick up the massive order I placed on my takeout app before we left the St. Regis. I give the huge to-go bag a little jiggle as I return to the car and arrange it securely in the back seat.
“What is in that extremely delicious smelling bag?” Dante asks as I buckle my seat belt.
