Chapter NINETEEN ~ Family Dinner
The work day flew by. Lexi ended up not making it into work, but everything ran well without her. Dante handles the customers and I make orders. I continue to keep the orders moving along in the back. We have a big funeral delivery coming up in a few days that needs to be ready to go.
So, the orders had to keep going and Dante understood that just fine. He dealt with the customers like he ran the business for years and it was very impressive. Glancing at him out in the front room by peeking through the door and ensuring everything ran swimmingly. Watching him talk to the customers with ease and that big gorgeous smile on his face. Making me smile with happiness at the sight.
I could get used to this, but I had to remember it wasn’t forever. This arrangement was only temporary and he would be back on duty in no time. That was his life.
Complicated and dangerous.
Not simple and safe.
“I’m going to close up shop.” Dante announced with a smile and pointed towards the back. “Why don’t you go get yourself ready for dinner?”
“Are you sure?” I asked with uncertainty.
“Yes, I’ve got this Cassie.” Dante admitted with a smile and placed his hands on my shoulders. “Now, go do what you got to do.”
I gave him a slight smile as he pushed me backwards and let me go. Turning around and giggling at the thought of him knowing what to do. “I better not come back to a mess, Mr. Dixon.”
I heard him laugh as I made my way towards the bathroom and closed the door behind me. I needed to freshen up before we left for Dante’s grandparents. Pulling my shirt over my head and freeing my ass from my tight-fitting jeans. Peeling my underwear down and letting my bra fall down to the ground.
I turned on the water as I stood there naked and waited for the water to warm up. Feeling the temperature with my hand to ensure it was just right. Stepping inside and letting the warmth consume me. Water beads caress my skin as they trickle down and pool together at my feet below. Falling down the drain as I lather the soap and clean my body. Shampooing my hair and massaging it into my scalp. Letting the busy day all wash away into the pipes below.
I turned off the water and reached for my usual pink towel. Wrapping it around my body and finding another matching one for my hair. Bunching the wet locks inside of the towel and wrapping it tight.
“Crap...” I grumbled as I looked around for fresh clothing and realized I forgot that step. Dante distracted me and I didn’t grab myself any clothes.
I opened the bathroom door with thoughts of what to wear for dinner and rounded the corner, only to collide with a firm body. “Oh, shit!”
Suddenly, the towel that wrapped around my body fell to my feet and my hands laid on his firm chest. Dante’s eyes stare into mine, but darken as they travel down my naked body that stands in front of him. I’m frozen on the spot with the realization I’m standing naked in front of my one-night stand. A man whose passion lights a fire within me that no one else has. His lust filled eyes devoured my breasts, gazed at my perky nipples and traveled all the way down to my red toes.
“Um...” Dante said as he cleared his throat and bent down to retrieve my fallen towel.
Letting my hands fall to my side, but I still can’t move. I can’t breathe and all I can do is stare. My body is hot and sizzling from his feverish gaze. Watching him turn his head away and handing me the towel. I blinked several times as I snatched it out of his grasp and couldn’t believe I could even do that. I quickly wrapped it back around myself, but my body quivered and my legs became weak.
“Oh...” I cried out slightly as I fell against him and he caught me in his powerful arms.
They surrounded me and made me feel whole. Holding me up from my clumsiness and keeping me safe from my fall. Everything about it felt right in his firm embrace. I felt protected, wanted, and craved.
He caressed my forearms as he held me close with the pads of his thumbs touching me. Creating a tingling sensation that spreads over me and gives me goosebumps. He’s got me trapped, lost in him, and wanting more. His eyes stare into the depths of me and touch my soul.
My cheeks blushed and turned bright red. My mind reeled and my voice came out in only a whisper as it trembled. “I-I should go get dressed.”
He blinked several times, and realization came into his beautiful eyes. He cleared his throat, set me back on steady feet and nodded towards me. “Everything is ready to be locked up. I will meet you at my truck.”
He released me quickly and disappeared out of sight. Leaving me cold and missing his touch. Rubbing my hands over my forearms and remembering his caress.
I leaned into the wall and pressed my forehead against it. Cursing at myself for letting me feel something when I was in his arms. Knowing I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help it.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I had no choice but to brush it off and move forward. Not understanding what’s happening between us, but wanting to find out. I took some deep breaths and pushed off the wall. Gathering myself before I find some clothes and try to put this all behind me. Finding some fresh tan underwear and bra to match. Searching through the clothes, I have to find some half decent ones for dinner. An occasion that I’ve been waiting all day for with secret excitement.
I took the towel out of my hair and tossed it aside. Grabbing my brush and giving it a quick run through. Untangling the knots and leaving it damp to dry with the evening air. Tousling it a bit to give it that extra volume. Giving myself a once over with the bathroom mirror, heading for the front of the shop. Grabbing the keys and my purse to take along for the ride.
I locked the front door and bolted it tight. Everything secure and closed, ready for me to leave. I turned towards the street and there was Dante’s green truck waiting just for me.
I could hear the engine running as I went forward and smiled shyly towards the driver’s side window. Not seeing him clearly, but feeling his eyes linger over me. I pulled open the passenger side door and hopped up to take my seat. Glancing his way slightly and he looks straight ahead with his expression unreadable. Reminding me of the man I first met and want to know more. Leaving me curious about him and his mysterious ways.
I put on my seatbelt and off we went. Driving through the small town’s compact streets and hitting all the red lights. It made the journey more awkward than it needed to be after what just happened between us.
The ride remained silent, and I wished it wouldn’t be, but the tension lingered. It’s strong between us and like a cloud that follows us everywhere we go. There’s no escaping it, but we couldn’t give into temptation.
The awkward sexual tension looms.
I should create distance between us and not meet his family, but deep down I want to. I wanted to see and get to know the other side of inherited billionaire Mr. Dixon. The soft, caring and sweeter side of him.
One that I’m getting to know better when all this time I thought he didn’t exist. The edgy and tough front he placed up for many to see. All the death and destruction wasn’t all of him. It was him on the outside, but not the man he truly was inside.
My eyes landed on a tiny home as we pulled up in front of it and into the driveway. The house had little evergreens, freshly cut green grass and water coming out of a built-in sprinkler. Not a weed was in sight and the front lawn very well taken care of. The brick-built home was solid with a single-car garage attached to it and a small front step. The outside neatly kept and I could imagine the inside would look the same.
“We’re here.” Dante announced in a husky tone, and I pondered what was on his mind.
But did I really want to know?
We both hopped down from the truck and made our way towards the front door. Dante pressed his key fob and made the truck chirp with a response. And that’s when I saw a sweet face greet us by opening the door and smiling with a warm welcome. She had short white hair, wrinkles and brown eyes, just like Dante’s. Everything about her was warm and made me smile. Next to her, a taller man with greying hair stood and waved his hand. He limped slightly forward and brown eyes looked towards me with curiosity.
His grandmother greeted Dante with a kiss on the cheek, and he returned the gesture. “You made it and I see you brought the company I couldn’t wait to meet.”
Dante smiled and pointed towards me. “This is Cassie. Cassie, this is my grandmother, Mary.”
A curious grin lingered upon her face, and she shook my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Cassie.”
“We’ve heard so much about you.” Dante’s grandfather teased as he winked playfully at his grandson and shook my hand. Dante looked down at his feet, and I swear I saw his face blush red.
“And this is my silly husband, John.” Mary said as she jabbed her husband in the side and looked displeased.
I simply nodded at them both. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
John turned towards Dante with a clever look in his eyes and teased. “She better make a mean dessert.”
“Oh, would you stop it? We don’t want to make her run away, now do we?” Mary huffed as she jabbed her husband in his other side and stepped aside. “Come inside and make yourself comfortable, dear.”
I smiled brightly at her greeting and went inside. The home is very old-fashioned, but extremely tidy. Old furnishings with elegant curtains hung, and they hooked a tube television up in the living room. Many picture frames were hanging from the walls with tacky wallpaper on them. The windows streamed in the evening sunset and the colors radiated off the wooden floors that creak when I walked over it. It’s a cute and clean home.
Lovely and sweet.
One that’s welcoming and full of memories. They lead me into a dining room with the table already set for dinner. Everything’s there except for the food and my stomach grumbled at the thought. I don’t even remember the last time I enjoyed a home cooked meal at a table surrounded by company. The thought made me sad, but it soon went away when John pulled out a seat just for me. His welcoming smile makes me feel at home and experiencing a feeling I’ve never felt before. The warmth of what having a family was like and mine was far from it.
“My wife makes the meanest spaghetti in town, but don’t let her know I told you that.” John winked playfully as he took a seat and licked his lips.
“I heard that!” Mary shouted from the kitchen as she prepared everything, and Dante helped her.
Within minutes, Dante reappeared with two steaming bowls. One held the spaghetti noodles and the other meatballs with sauce. His grandmother followed close behind with fresh bread and parmesan cheese.
“Everyone dig in and help yourselves.” Mary announced as she took her seat and patted Dante on the shoulder. “Thank you, grandson.”
Dante found his seat beside mine and smiled over at me. He reached for the spaghetti noodles and served some on my plate. I reached for the meatballs with sauce at the same time he did and our fingers brushed. “Sorry, you go first.”
“No, you should go, help yourself.” Dante chuckled as he reached for the fresh bread and butter.
I poured a slight amount of sauce over top of the hot noodles and took in the aroma. It smelled absolutely delicious and made my mouth drool. Grabbing some parmesan cheese and sprinkling it on top. Twisting my fork in circles and blowing the steam off the noodles. Taking my first bite and groaning slightly at the taste. “Mm, this is so good.”