“In high school, it became unbearable. When Nyla found out, she lost it. She came up to the school and made me stop them. I beat one girl so bad I was arrested. Dad was so upset.
“He wasn’t mad at me for standing up for myself. It was the excessive force I used that made him angry…I wasn’t supposed to—” I cut off, knowing I’m saying too much. “—My sister, on the other hand, was proud of me. She took time to put me back together and helped me find my confidence and backbone.”
“It sounds like your sister loves you.”
“Yeah, she does.” I smile. “But that’s just the thing. I felt like I failed her. I’ve wanted to be like Nyla all my life. She’s the popular one, the pretty one, the skinnier one, the badass boss. She seems so happy with her life. She travels the world and leaves her mark.
“Reading those comments Jacob wrote brought home how much I feel like that loser from high school. I’m twenty-nine and single, I haven’t moved out of my dad’s, I’m still not as confident in myself as I’d like to be.”
Dante throws back another drink and looks at me thoughtfully. I hold my glass out for another drink and he fills the glass. I toss it back this time and peer at him.
“I’ve seen your sister. Is she gorgeous? Yes, but so are you. Liz, you are one of the most stunning women I’ve laid eyes on. Who cares about being skinny when you have curves like yours? There are women paying to get what you have and killing themselves to get it.”
I look down into my now empty glass. Dante moves closer and lifts my face with his fingertips. He searches my face and continues with his words.
“You have to know how beautiful you are. My little girl looks up to you and tries to imitate that beauty all the time.” His gaze drops to my lips.
Something shifts in the atmosphere and his eyes take on a heated look. Desire and lust fill his hazel eyes and the heat I see is undeniable. His voice becomes husky as he starts again.
“If you were mine, I’d kiss, lick, and fuck every single inch of your body until you thought I was the creator of life itself. I’d put a hurting on that body so good you’d have love for it just because of the pleasure I bring it. However, it’s not your body that makes me want to strip you bare and fuck you senseless. It’s your heart and your mind. You’re brilliant. You’ve been impressing me in the office every day. And the business you have built, I’m in awe of you.”
I lower my lashes. “Thanks. That means so much coming from you,” I breathe, trying to ignore his heated words.
He gives a dark chuckle. “You can relax. I’m not in the mood to seduce you tonight. I have too much shit going on in my head.”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls his phone out. A few taps and Rema’s “Calm Down” fills the air as Dante stands.
He winks at me. “Come dance with me.”
I look up at him curiously. Dante is so tall and built I can’t see him dancing. Especially not to something like this. He smiles and chuckles.
“You’d be surprised by the music I enjoy.”
I hiccup and stand, pulling my shorts out of my butt. I’m glad I have my hoodie on, there’s a slight chill up here. I stumble a little, but Dante wraps my waist and pulls me into his chest. I wiggle my toes in my socks. I don’t have on shoes.
That thought is forgotten as Dante places a hand on the small of my back and starts to move our hips to the song. My mouth falls open as he begins to move me around the rooftop. His moves are sexy.
I laugh when he spins me out and pulls me back into him, placing his hands on my hips. “Come on, Lizzy. Show me what you got.”
I throw my head back as the liquor begins to course through my veins and gives me new courage. I rock my hips in his hold. He gives me a huge smile and pulls me back to his chest and slips a leg between mine as he rocks and sways our bodies.
I lift my palms up and he places his against mine. Then he pushes his forehead to mine. His breath is warm and smells of alcohol. This is so different from the Dante I know in the office.
I love the happiness in his eyes. It makes me forget my problems and smile. The song ends and I’m left breathing heavily.
I lift a questioning brow at him. “Have you ever wondered why we don’t just have a bunch of Italian restaurants?” he breathes as he looks down into my eyes.