“I called Uncle Gio and asked him what we should play for you.” She runs over to the music stations and taps at the tablet that’s docked in this room.
“Teachme” by Musiq Soulchild starts to play. Dante slips a strong arm around my waist and pulls me into his chest. I look up into his eyes, shocked and unsure. Bella comes back over and takes my purse.
“There’s a gift in there for you,” I say as I try to calm my racing heart.
Bella gasps before she digs into the bag to search for the little box I have inside for her. I smile down at her as she drops my purse and opens the box.
“Oh, I love it, Lizzy. Thank you,” she gushes at the tiny little teddy bear pendant with the blue sapphire eyes resting on the white gold chain.
“I wanted to give you something special.”
Dante wraps his hand around the back of my neck and places his forehead to the side of my face before he starts to sway us to the music. My entire body starts to hum. I stop breathing, afraid to ruin the moment. Bella comes and wraps her little body around our legs.
My emotions start to clog my throat. I’m taken aback. The words of the song start to sink in. Gio may have picked it for Bella, but in this moment, it feels as if Dante is the one trying to convey a message.
“How can you know how to make her so happy, and you barely know us?” he breathes against my face.
“Sometimes it’s the people who watch from the outside who know us best, even when we don’t know they are watching. I’ve been working for you for years. I’ve shopped for a few of her birthdays and Christmases.”
He pulls back and searches my eyes as I look up at him. His brows dip while he slowly runs his fingertips down my arm, drawing goose bumps. Bella stumbles away and goes to sit in the rug and pillow area. Dante wraps both arms around my waist and pulls me in closer.
I’m caught in a trance as he breathes me in, close enough to kiss me but still seeming out of reach. I allow myself to soak in his presence as well. Although, I do want to kick myself for thinking he’s going to kiss me. Instead, he brushes his nose up the bridge of mine. It’s actually a more intimate feeling than a kiss.
My breathing hitches. I close my eyes and commit this moment to memory. My body heats and softens from his nearness.
He pushes my braids that have come from behind my ear back in place. It’s like a match has been lit against my skin. Just when I believe his arousal starts to poke into me, he speaks, breaking the spell.
“How was your date?”
I blink a few times to remember myself. This is my boss. I have secrets I can never tell him. It’s best if I keep my cool and remember my place.
“It was okay. I guess.” I lift my shoulder.
He nods and begins to run his hands down my back to my ass. I suck in a breath and stiffen. He groans and shakes his head.
“I’m sorry. I got lost. Um, she’s asleep. I should get her into her bed.” He nods over to a passed-out Bella.
“I’ll help.”
“No, I’ve got it. It’s late. You have content to create, don’t you?”
I smile. “Yeah, I do. Thanks for the dance.”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls a square jewelry box out. “Bella thought I needed to make up for my huge mistake. Happy Valentine’s Day, Liz. I hope you like them.”
I take the box and pop the lid. A gorgeous pair of diamond studs rest inside. I release a sharp intake of air.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“They’re not as beautiful as you are, but maybe they can show you a fraction of my gratitude.”
I look up at him, searching his eyes. He looks away quickly and runs a hand through his hair. I cup the side of his face and lift on my toes to kiss his cheek. “It’s my pleasure,” I say softly.
“Good night, Liz,” he says before moving to pick up a snoring Bella.
Dante
I want to strangle Gio. He couldn’t have picked a better song to sum up the crazy feelings I have swirling on the inside for Lizzy. It’s like I looked up one day and there she was. The perfect fit in almost every way.
Lizzy would be perfect for clean-cut Dante. That Dante wants nothing more than to bury himself in all those thick curves. I would have fucked the shit out of her right there in that playroom if Bella wasn’t there.
I stare into space as I sit on my bed, trying to piece together my fucked-up life in my head. Nothing is black and white anymore. I feel like the other shoe is hanging over my head, waiting to drop.