Page 16 of Do It For Me
He sighs, but I can’t tell if it’s out of frustration or relief. His eyes flicker to my lips before returning to meet mine.
God, his eyelashes are longer than mine. How can someone be so effortlessly beautiful?
“What’s going on inside that little head of yours?”
Heat rushes to my cheeks.
“I was just distracted, I’m sorry.” I pull away slightly but quickly loop my arm through his. “I can’t think clearly when I’m starving.”
Hunger always drags unpleasant memories to the surface.
He strokes the back of my hand softly, and we keep walking.
I don’t understand this man. He doesn’t get angry, he doesn’t yell at me, he doesn’t even want to hit me.
Why is he like this?
“I’m not sure if a date can work if you already know everything about me.”
The waitress giggles before walking away, and I blush. Dante tilts his head, his lips curling into a smirk.
“You think I know everything about you?”
I shrug. “There’s not much to say. If we’re being honest, I don’t even know myself.” I break off a tiny piece of bread and nibble on it. “I lived locked in my room most of my life. My best friend was my sister—she’s the only person close to my age. I didn’t go to school. I haven’t even had a boyfriend—”
“Is there something you like to do?”
His question takes me off guard.
“I think… not.”
His brow furrows slightly, but he presses on. “And what do you do during the day?”
“I… nothing?”
His jaw drops. “Nothing?”
“There’s not much to do. I mean, I enjoy cooking with my mum, but I don’t really like it.”
“Paint? Read? Nothing?”
“I’m not…” My voice falters, and I lower my gaze. “Allowed.”
His face darkens, and his hand clenches around the butterknife.
My pulse races. Is he going to stab me with that? It’s not sharp, but if he’s strong enough, he could still hurt me.
I can’t run. I can’t ask for help. All I can do is stay here and wait.
His jaw tightens, nostrils flaring, and he can’t seem to look at me. Maybe he’s reconsidering the marriage. Should I feelrelieved? Or terrified? Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t, right?
But what if he’s better than my father? What if I actually have a chance to be happy?
“I-I know I’m boring, but… but I can spend more time with you that way and—”
“Timewith me?”
Dammit.
