AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You didn’t have to go to all this trouble,” he said, his smile warm and easy, making my blood warm and a glow spread through my body.
I waved my hand as if I entertained people every evening.
“It wasn’t any trouble. Besides, it’s been a long day and I’m pretty hungry,” I lied.
I passed him a napkin, and he picked up a chicken nugget.
“I see you’re putting that fancy degree to good use,” he said, shooting me a wry smile. Oh, that smile was really going to be the end of me.
I laughed. The tone sounded off in my ears, equal parts nervous and full of wonderful anticipation.
“You’re wasting all this money when you already know how to heat up a mean chicken nugget?” he teased as he took a bite.
I laughed again.
“I’m on a scholarship! Look around, does it look like I, or my grandmother, can afford that fancy school?”
“You’re going places, sunflower,” he said. He picked up his wineglass and settled back on the couch, taking a sip. I loved it when he called me that. Dante always told me that my bright face reminded him of a sunflower.
He said that it was difficult to be sad around sunflowers and I liked to believe that my presence brought him joy. I know his presence brought me lots and lots of joy.
I connected my phone to the bluetooth speaker–the one modern thing in my grandma’s living room–and played one of my favorite playlists.
We sat on the couch, talking. Well, Dante did most of the talking. He stayed clear of anything too personal, but he told me stories about his adventures and the places he wanted to travel. I knew he couldn’t afford the things he talked about, but I also knew I could listen to him talk all day. He had so much charisma and an amazing sense of humor. It was impossible to not hang on his every word.
Dante was irresistible.
The song changed and a few familiar notes from an old 90s rock ballad started to fill the room. Dante stood up, setting his wineglass on the table, and reached his hand out to me. I took it shyly, and he pulled me up and close to him. We began to sway around the living room and he led with so much skill and precision.
Nothing else existed. We were the only two people in the world.
Dante’s eyes were dark with desire. The easy smile was gone from his face, and I couldn’t help but feel like prey. I was helpless against him.
Impossibly, he pulled me closer, my breasts pushed against the hard planes of his chest. My nipples ached for attention, and I felt the heat from his body seep through the layers of cotton that separated us. His rough hands were on my hips, holding me firmly in place. His warm breath floated across the skin just below my ears and I felt goosebumps break out. Shivers skittered down my spine and my skin began to heat.
He looked at my lips briefly before his eyes moved to mine. Was he asking me for permission? Was he kidding? How could I not let him kiss me?
I nodded, barely noticing the movement.
And then, suddenly, his lips were on mine. He kissed me gently and softly, my lips parting to taste him. He tasted faintly like the red wine we had been drinking. His tongue softly swept in my mouth, skilled and patient.
My eyes were closed, as all I felt was the sensation of his mouth against mine.
Then his hands started to move. Dante slipped his hands up the hem of my T-shirt and rested them on my skin. His touch was searing and did nothing to cool the heat that was flooding through my body. My core was throbbing, anticipating what might happen. What I hoped would happen.
His hands brushed further up my back, setting off a glittering trail of pleasure at the touch.
“Where’s your room?” His voice was even huskier than usual, laced with need and desire.
Without a word, I took his hand and led him up the staircase. I was only just noticing how ridiculously pink the walls were in my bedroom. The last time it had been painted was when I was about six years old and really going through a Barbie phase.
“Cute room,” he said, and I flushed with embarrassment.
“I–It’s been like this for a long time now. I’ve just never bothered to change it.”
“I like it,” he said and pulled me back into his arms. He moved away slightly to tug my T-shirt over my head. I quickly helped him out of his shirt. I had to remember how to breathe when I saw all that gorgeous skin. He was all long lines and lean muscle built from actual work. His skin was tanned and brushed with dark hair. In an instant, Dante was urging my jeans down my hips and legs. His own pants were quickly removed.
I barely noticed as he reached around to unclasp my bra. But I was certainly aware when he replaced the cups with his hand, teasing each nipple with his rough thumb.
