Page 24 of Desire

If looks could kill, Emma would have shot lasers out of her eyes and incinerated her brother on the spot.

“Emma is doing just fine on her own,” Dante said.

“I’m sitting right here,” Emma said, sullenly.

Dante leaned back into his chair, forcing his attention onto Joey, who was now regaling his mother with tales of his military training.

“Emma, how’s work been?” Mrs. Hartley asked when Joey went for his third helping of meatloaf.

“Busy as always,” Emma replied with a smile. “But I’m learning a lot and I love it.”

“Sounds exciting,” her mother said.

“Thrilling,” Dante murmured under his breath, almost imperceptibly. He regretted the word the moment it left his lips, as though it were a betrayal of the restraint he was struggling to uphold.

“Emma, tell us about the Halloween party you organized,” Mrs. Hartley said, beaming with pride. “Did you meet anyone famous?”

As the conversation flowed around him, Dante’s thoughts drifted back to the dungeon. His chest tightened at the memory of her on her knees, willingly giving herself over to his control. He knew that if their secret were to come to light, it could jeopardize his friendship with Joey, a bond forged through years of shared laughter and pain.

“Earth to Dante?” Joey’s voice cut through Dante’s thoughts, bringing him back to the present.

“Uh, I’m sorry, I missed that,” Dante admitted sheepishly.

“Mom asked if you’d like some more wine,” Joey repeated, holding up the bottle.

“Sure, thank you,” Dante replied, smiling as Joey refilled his glass. He knew he should focus on enjoying the company of the people he considered family, but his mind stubbornly remained with the image of Emma, her body flushed and marked by his touch.

For now, he would have to live with the uncertainty, and the secret that lay between them. But as the evening wore on, Dante couldn’t help but wonder if the truth would eventually come out, shattering the only family he had ever known. Each time Emma’s laughter reached his ears, it was both a siren song and a warning bell. He sipped his wine. It did little to quench the heat that simmered within him, a heat stoked by memories of leather and whispers in the dark.

“Have you been working on any other interesting projects at Couture?” Mrs. Hartley asked Emma.

“Actually, yes,” she said. “We’ve been partnering with some up-and-coming designers to create a new line of clothing inspired by different global cultures. It’s fascinating to see how each artist brings their unique perspective to the table.”

As the conversation continued, Dante clung to the fleeting moments of normalcy, all the while knowing that underneath it all, his heart still yearned for Emma’s touch. But as long as their secret remained hidden, he would do everything in his power to protect both of them from the potential heartbreak that could ensue if the truth were ever revealed.

“Thank you all for the wonderful dinner,” Dante said, forcing a smile as he stood to help clear the plates. The clatter of silverware and the scrape of chairs against the floor punctuated his words, grounding him in the present moment.

“Why don’t you stick around for a beer?” Joey suggested, gesturing toward the living room where they could continue their conversation away from the bustle of the kitchen.

Dante hesitated, the offer tempting but fraught with risk.

“I can’t. I’ve got an early meeting tomorrow.” He glanced at Emma, her eyes downcast as she wiped the edge of a plate clean. “How about we catch up before you leave again? Maybe grab a drink somewhere?”

“Sounds good,” Joey agreed, seemingly oblivious to the tension that hung in the air between Dante and his sister. “We’ll find a time that works. You okay?”

Dante forced himself to focus. “Yeah, why do you ask?”

“You’ve been a bit distracted all night,” Joey said, his brow furrowed. “You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”

“Yeah, I know.” He met Joey’s eyes. “You seem off tonight too.”

Joey backtracked both physically and mentally. “I’ve just been thinking about some stuff, that’s all.”

“The road goes both ways, you know. I’m here if you need me. Any time.”

Joey gave a knowing nod and changed the subject, moving the conversation away from the heavy emotions hanging over them both.

Dante turned to say his goodbyes to Emma’s family. Despite the hollow ache in his chest, he mustered genuine gratitude for their hospitality—a stark contrast to the cold indifference he had known in his own childhood home. “Mrs. Hartley, Mr. Hartley, thank you for having me over. It was a pleasure spending time with you all.”

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