Page 20 of Roses are Royal

“Oh, um, okay? So does that mean you don’t have a bed? I don’t want to put you out if you’ve been waiting for it this whole time. I don’t mind sleeping on the floor.” I can hear the lie in her voice, but I know she’s too proud to admit she has gotten used to the luxury that money can buy. Plus, she deserves all the luxuries in life. I’d sleep outside if it meant she was more comfortable.

“It’s fine, Rose. Take the bed.”

“Seriously, Dante. You are my client. You should really —”

“Rose, take the damn bed before I throw you over my shoulder and deliver you to the room myself.”

“Oh,” Rose says with widening eyes.

“Oh?” I can’t hold back my smirk as I take a step closer, invading her personal space. Well, that wasn’t the response I expected from her after my outburst. I think I even see a hint of pink on her cheeks. Maybe Step 2 won’t be as difficult as I thought if this is how she reacts to my dominant nature.

“That would be highly unprofessional.” Her response comes out breathy and low.

“That doesn’t sound like a no to me. We could always share the bed if you are so concerned for my well-being.” Let’s see how far I can push her.

“This isn’t some kind of ‘only one bed left at the inn’ situation, Dante.”

“It can be if that makes you feel better.” I am close enough to her now that she has to tip her head back and look up to make eye contact. I can feel her breath escape with my response.

“Dante, I don’t think that would be a good idea.” I love hearing my name on her lips.

Leaning down so I can whisper in her ear, I brush a lock of her hair behind her ear, and I can feel her shiver with my touch. “I’ve never been accused of making good decisions, Rose.”

She doesn’t pull away from my closeness as she responds, “I don’t want to keep you from your work.”

“I still haven’t heard a no, Rose. Unless you prefer a safe word instead?”

“Dante!” That seems to break her out of her trance.

“A little on the nose for a safe word, don’t you think? But I’m okay with it if you are.” I punctuate my response with a wink.

“No!”

“Again with the mixed signals, tesoro mio.”

“Ugh, Dante!”

“Metterò fine alle mie sofferenze,” I mutter under my breath. “Go to bed, Rose. I will see you in the morning.”

“What did you just say?”

“Good night, Rose.” I need to end this before I do something I can’t take back.

“Dante, wait.”

I’d wait for you forever if I had to. But instead, I just pause my descent and cock my head back toward her in response.

“Thank you…for letting me stay tonight. I really didn’t want to go back to that motel.”

I hear the vulnerability in her voice, and all I can do is nod in acknowledgment and keep walking away.

Once I get back into the security of the basement and I ensure Rose has gone into the guest room, I double-check that I have the property fully locked down. Luckily, Rose had the awareness to lock the door to her room, so I didn’t have to, but she doesn’t need to know I can control everything remotely, if it gives her peace of mind to lock it herself.

26

LUCA

“You’re here early.” I’m surprised to see Rose at the house this early. Normally, I beat her to the property because she isn’t a morning person, but there she sits in the kitchen, having a coffee at the island.