Page 54 of Stolen Kisses
I tried to slip off his lap again, but he caught me. “What the fuck was that look baby?”
I shook my head. I’d been listening this whole time to him talk and say all these amazing things to me. But that was all I could do, just listen. Listen and dream.
The truth was I had ruined it. This was what I could have had and it was nice to have it now, but it couldn’t be.
“Nothing.”
In all this I knew that I should have told him about Franco by now, but truthfully I was so embarrassed. I was so embarrassed and ashamed of myself. I had treated Dante terribly and it would be me telling him that I thought everyone was better for me to be with than him.
“That’s not a nothing face. There’s questions in your eyes.”
“Questions I shouldn’t ask.”
“It’s me, you can ask me anything, but just to let you know I’m serious about every word I say.”
“You’re sweet.”
He frowned. “Woman don’t let anybody hear you say that. I am no such thing, but if you think that it’s fine. I can maybe live with that, just as long as you don’t think Dante D’Angelo’s gone soft.”
I laughed.
“My lips are sealed.”
“Maria, let’s go get Flynn and drive back to my place and you don’t have to worry about Vira or Sophia or anyone.”
I reached up to touch his face. “Dante … I, you can’t just do that. I’ve just blown back into Chicago and you probably have a host of admirers who won’t like it very much that some woman and her kid is shacked up in your place.”
“My woman and my kid, and I may have admirers, but they went to the back of beyond the minute you walked back into my life.”
My God … either I was stupid or … something worse than stupid.
He wanted the both of us. Me and Flynn. I didn’t know any men who would just do that, or not look at me as damaged goods or something.
I guess I just needed some time. Some time to be able to talk to him about stuff and wrap my head around life in general.
“Dante, this could be crazy. There’s so much I …”
“There’s so much you need to tell me?” He filled in and quirked a brow. “Like why you came back to Chicago, and why you look like you’re in trouble. I’d really love to know too why you think you shouldn’t tell me if you’re in trouble. I can tell.”
My heart stilled and I tried to steady my breathing.
“Can you give me a few days? I just need some time.”
He sighed, took my hand and brought it to his lips to kiss.
“A few days, and if you still won’t talk I’m kidnapping you.”
I laughed. “If I go willingly is it kidnapping? That’s more like me just going with you.”
“Call it what the fuck ever you like, point is I’m taking you. Come on, I’ll drive you to Vira’s.”
“No, it’s just down the road. I’ll walk.”
“At this hour?”
“Dante please, I’m fine. I walk that road many times and I’ve been fine.”
He allowed me to slip off his lap now and watched me as I got ready.
