Page 33 of Desire

“Colleen took care of the bill,” the waiter informed them, his smile genuine and warm. “Please, order whatever you like.”

“Well, all right.” Joey beamed and immediately ordered a pitcher of margaritas, raising his glass once they arrived. “To us.”

She clinked her glass against his and Dante’s before taking a sip of the tangy cocktail. The sour taste mingled with the tinge of sweetness on her tongue, and she relished the sensation.

“Hey, Dante,” Joey said between bites of spicy enchiladas. “Which model are you seeing these days?”

Emma stiffened, her stomach twisting into knots. A subtle flame of jealousy licked at her chest, and she stared down at her plate, suddenly finding the arrangement of her tacos fascinating.

“Actually,” Dante replied, pausing to take a drink from his margarita, “since I work as a therapist here at Couture, it would be a conflict of interest to get involved with any of the models.”

Joey chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s poetic justice, man. You had quite the reputation back in college.”

“Mmm.” Emma managed a brittle smile. She tried to appear indifferent as she toyed with her napkin, but inside she was screaming. The thought of Dante with another woman made her want to claw someone’s eyes out.

She took another sip of her margarita, letting the alcohol soothe her nerves momentarily. But visions of Dante domming someone else haunted her, even though she knew she had no claim over him.

As they continued eating, she focused on the flavors of her meal, the zesty spices and tender meat providing a temporary reprieve from her tortured thoughts.

“Are you okay, Emma?” Joey asked, concern etched on his face as he studied her.

She forced a smile, nodding. “I’m fine. Just lost in thought.”

“Enjoying the food?” Dante’s gaze met hers, those piercing eyes seeming to peer into her very soul.

“Very much,” she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s delicious.”

“Good.” His lips curved into a brief smile before returning to his own plate.

Emma suddenly became aware of the weight of her decision, the choice to reveal herself to Dante without the security of her mask. Being so close to him kick-started a riot of longing and trepidation within her. But would she always be little Emma Hartley to him? The bratty tagalong. Joey’s baby sister. A nuisance, not a woman to take seriously, let alone claim and master.

Pain lanced through her at the bleak thought. Maybe she should just keep her mask on tomorrow or cancel the dungeon appointment. Reject him before he could reject her. But deep down, Emma knew she wouldn’t. Couldn’t. She craved Dante’s dominance too much. Even if he shattered her fantasy and her heart in the process, she had to play this out. Had to know if she could be the submissive he needed.

But for now, she would focus on her brother’s happiness and the laughter that filled the room. Platters of steaming enchiladas, tacos, and fresh guacamole crowded the table. Emma reached for a crispy tortilla chip, but her fingers trembled and she tipped her margarita glass.

Dante’s hand shot out and righted it before more than a splash could spill. “Careful there.”

His fingers brushed hers and an electric tingle raced up her arm. She snatched her hand back. “S-sorry...”

Oblivious, Joey waved the waiter over. “We’ll have another round, amigo. Keep ’em coming.” His words slurred slightly, a goofy grin plastered on his face.

“Might want to slow down.” Dante’s low rumble sent shivers down Emma’s spine. “This stuff will sneak up on you.”

Joey snorted and took a hefty gulp. “Got to enjoy it while I can.”

After dinner, Joey stumbled getting up from the table, the margaritas clearly having gone to his head. He blinked owlishly and grabbed the back of his chair for support.

“Whoa there, buddy.” Dante shot out a hand to steady Joey. “I think maybe I should drive you home.”

Emma rose too. “I can drive his car. That way you don’t have to pay for a cab to get back here later.”

She tried to keep the eagerness out of her voice, but the thought of even a few minutes alone with Dante made her pulse race.

But Dante just shook his head. “Nah, I don’t mind. Besides, this way you can head straight up and get some rest.” His gaze flicked over her, dark and unreadable. “Big day tomorrow.”

Emma’s heart plummeted, but she forced a smile. “Right. Of course.” Did he know? Did he already suspect she was Queen Mab? No. That was ridiculous. She was letting her emotions run riot over her common sense. Still, disappointment sat like a stone in her gut as she watched Dante loop an arm around Joey and maneuver him toward the door.

Then they were gone, and Emma was left standing alone in the empty restaurant, an unaccountable heaviness weighing on her chest. She knew she should probably be grateful for the time to gather her thoughts, to steel herself for what tomorrow would bring.

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