I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I can’t believe what he’s saying to me.
“Oh my God, Dante, thank you.” I bring my hands up to my cheeks. “I’m free?”
“You’re free. You decide where you go from here…”
Free.
I have my life back.
I can’t help it. I throw my arms around him and he holds me. He holds me close against the wild beat of his heart and I get lost in him.
When we pull apart I find I can’t tear my eyes away from his. I look at his lips, at his full soft lips and I can’t resist touching him. When I trace my finger over the outline of his mouth he smiles at me and lifts me to sit on his lap.
“See something you like?” he asks playfully.
“You.”
“Me?” he mimics my voice from earlier and points to himself.
“Yes. I don’t know how I could ever repay you.”
“A chance. You don’t have to, but I want a chance with you. I’m not my cousin. I’m Dante Marchesi, and I want a chance with you, Megan Carson.”
My cheeks flush and shock suffuses my being. “You’re serious?”
“I want to take you to dinner tomorrow night. What would you say if I asked you?”
“Yes,” I answer without thought.
“Then it’s a date.”
“We’re going on a date?” I smile and continue touching his face. His handsome, handsome face.
“Looks that way doll.”
“I want to kiss you,” I answer, beaming down at him.
“Then what’s stopping you?”
I answer with the kiss I want to give him. He makes love to my mouth and moments later he sets me on top of the piano and makes love to me.
He makes love to me and I think ahead to what will happen next.
I don’t see darkness in the future anymore.
Epilogue
Megan
One year later …
“Dante Marchesi, what plan do you have up your sleeves?” I ask with a smile as I look at the beautiful man sitting across from me as he rests his hands on the table.
He gives me a sexy smirk and rolls up his sleeves in that habitual way I love.
“Can’t a man just treat his doll after a great performance? The show was amazing.” He answers and I chuckle.
“Thank you.”