Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 127249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Cupping his cheek, I give him a smile that warms me inside. “I love you.”
He turns his face and kisses my palm. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Don’t say that,” I whisper.
He meets my eyes squarely, openly. Honestly. “It’s true.”
“Dante.”
Taking me into his arms, he kisses the top of my head. “We better go, or we’ll be late.”
After fetching Noah, we drive with the habitual convoy of guards to Dante’s office.
Penelope greets us at the door.
“Tatiana.” She holds out her arms. “Boy, am I glad to see you.” She hugs and air-kisses me. “Dante is driving me insane about tonight.”
“I didn’t have a chance to say thank you for taking care of the arrangements.” I give her a grateful smile. “I just found out about the party yesterday. Knowing you, it will be amazing.”
She lifts her eyes to the ceiling. “Your husband is a perfectionist. He’s going to be the end of me.”
Dante scoffs. “And he’s also your boss who pays you more than adequately to expect attention to detail, not to mention that he’s standing right here and can hear you complain.”
Penny shrugs. “My appraisal is done. I don’t have to worry for another year.” She crouches down to Noah’s level. “And here’s my favorite person.”
Noah, who’s standing between Dante and me, slips his hand into Dante’s and sticks his thumb into his mouth.
“How about a tour of our health bar?” Penny wags her eyebrows. “We have the most delicious blueberry bran muffins. And they’re healthy.”
Noah glances at me.
Still smiling, I nod.
Penny holds out a hand. “What do you say, young man?”
Noah slowly releases Dante’s hand and takes Penny’s.
She straightens. “How about a freshly squeezed orange juice to go with that?”
Winking over her shoulder at me, she leads him away.
I stare after them, my heart pulling with a strange magnetism toward Noah. Even when I know he’s safe, I’m always reluctant to let him out of my sight.
Dante’s gentle statement pulls my attention to him. “He’ll be fine.”
“She’s good with him. It’s just…”
Out of nowhere, another flash hits me, a flash of me locking Noah in a bathroom and whispering to be quiet, keeping my voice calm for his sake even as terror slices through me.
“Hey.” Dante grips my chin and tilts my face to his. “Is everything all right?”
Blinking, I give myself a mental shake. The memory is disturbing, but this is hardly the moment to burden Dante with the recollection. I don’t even know what it means.
“Yes.” I swallow. “It’s just nerves about tonight.”
He pulls me against his strong chest. “Those people don’t deserve an ounce of your time or attention. You’re too good for them. Remember that when you get nervous, darling.”
Burrowing my hands under his jacket on his warm, broad back, I nod. I always appreciate his understanding.
“You know why it has to be done,” he says with regret.
I pull away to smile up at him. “I grew up with social gatherings, remember?”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Trust me, there’s nothing about you I can ever forget.” He kisses my forehead. “Ready?”
I’m apprehensive as he leads me to the boardroom. After yesterday’s surprise, I’m not sure what to expect today.
He opens the door and lets me enter. When I step over the threshold, I stop dead in my tracks. The woman who sits at the boardroom table is the one I saw with Dante, the one he took to the Italian restaurant.
“Tatiana.” Dante places a hand on my back and guides me deeper into the room. “I’d like you to meet Lexi.”
The blonde stands and offers me a wide smile and a hand. “Mrs. Morici, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Snapping out of the shock that immobilizes me, I force myself to shake her hand.
I look at Dante for an explanation as we sit down.
“Lexi has done some headhunting for me before.” He cups my hand where it rests on the table. “I took the liberty of asking her to put together a list of candidates for your new business.”
My lips part. “My new business?”
He locks his fingers around my wrist and rubs a thumb over my pulse point. “The home organizing venture.”
For some reason, I find the way in which he touches me hotter than if he’d held my hand. The caress is so him, both dominant and soothing. It makes it hard for me to focus on anything else.
“What?” I ask through dry lips.
His smile is patient. “You said you wanted a job. This is what you’re good at.”
“Do you mean…?”
He tightens his hold on my arm, making my heartbeat quicken. “My lawyer will help with the setup and registration. Lexi can help with employing the right people. I have no doubt you’ll make a success of it.” He adds with a gentle note, “If that’s what you want.”
Lexi pushes a file toward me. “From the briefing Dante gave me, I’ve selected good candidates for the finance and HR departments as well as the executive staff. We can refine and expand the organogram to fit your business vision and professional needs. I’m here to listen and advise you. It’s my job to make sure you get the best possible team to help you succeed.”