28
Nicole
“You’re still here,” I whisper. Dante is curled up beside me.
I didn’t expect that he’d last the entire night in my bed. Something has come over him. I’m just not sure what it is.
It’s no surprise he’s keeping secrets, but there’s something that he isn’t telling me that has me worried.
“I am.” He presses his lips tight together. “How are you feeling?”
A faint smile curls at the top of my lips. “The nausea seems to be gone.”
I don’t know how long it will last, and I don’t care. Right now, I’m just grateful not to be hanging my head over the toilet this morning.
“That’s good.”
He doesn’t look thrilled with my news.
“What is it?” I don’t have to know him that well to see that he’s got a lot on his mind, what I can’t determine if it’s his job, the family, or me complicating matters.
“We should get dressed, breakfast, and then I’d like you to come into my office for a few minutes this morning. I’d like to show you something.”
I don’t have the slight notion of what he intends to show me, but the thought of escaping the confines of my room and exploring the castle a little more sounds pleasant enough.
“Sure,” I say. I pull the sheets around myself and climb off the mattress.
It’s the first real smile I’ve seen Dante quirk, and he’s got the most adorable dimple on his right cheek.
Finding a t-shirt and black yoga pants, I grab that with a pair of panties and head for the bathroom.
There’s not a door. Not even a semblance of privacy, thanks to Dante and his crew. “Do you mind?” I ask, gesturing for him to turn around or at least pretend not to stare into the bathroom.
“Yeah, it’s my house.” He folds his arms across his chest and doesn’t even attempt to glance away.
“Well, this is my bedroom. In case you’ve forgotten, you’ve locked me up in here.” I point at the door. “It’s time for you to leave. And don’t you dare take my sheets with you.”
Dante stands.
Is he listening to me? That would be a first.
“I should get dressed.” He bends down, grabs his boxers off the floor, and slips them on before leaving the bedroom.
I grumble under my breath and drop the bedsheet.
Sometimes he can be such an ass.
I dress and comb my hair before heading out of my bedroom. I turn the handle and poke my head out.
Dante is waiting for me.
“Where are the guards?” I ask.
There’s no way that he left my door unlocked and didn’t have a security detail, making sure that I didn’t attempt to escape.
Though let’s face it, how far could I get? There are guards outside the property and plenty more inside. And with his security system to boot, I wasn’t going anywhere without help.
“Busy.” Dante is cryptic as always.