Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 15909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 53(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 53(@300wpm)
"You've been waiting for me."
I hold up the envelope in a barely steady hand. My throat is so tight it's hard to force the words out. "I found this."
Dante takes his tie off, sitting on the dresser as he approaches me. His eyes narrow, and he looks at me, really looks, and there's zero shame in his gaze. "So you know everything, then."
I swallow, trying to make my bone-dry mouth work. "I knew you bought my father's debt, but you've been following me for years! You, you—" my voice breaks as I fling the folder at him. He makes no move to catch it, letting the papers fly everywhere. "You orchestrated all of this! Even before the contract, you changed my address, you cancelled my lease. You stole my life, Dante!"
He finally reaches me, undoing the first four buttons of his crisp white shirt while he speaks. "I didn't steal your life, Isla. I gave you a new one. The right one. A life where you belong to me."
I grab fistfuls of the blanket next to me, "So you admit you trapped me?"
His hand darts out, fast as a snake strikes, seizing my chin and making me look up at him. "Yes. If I hadn't, you could have slipped through my fingers like smoke. I saw you at a charity dinner two years ago. Do you remember it? I heard you laugh, saw you through the crowd, and I knew right at that moment that you were mine. I wasn't going to risk getting just a glimpse of you before you disappeared. I moved the pieces on the chessboard to bring you to me. It's what I do, Isla. It's how I get what I want."
"Y-you're crazy," I want to scream, but my voice is only a whisper.
Dante releases me, but leans down, bracing one hand on the mattress beside me, our faces almost touching. Even now, after finding out what he's done, I'm not afraid of him. "Yeah, I am crazy, but do you know what else?" He leans even closer, so when he speaks again, I can feel his lips moving against my ear. "I'm in love with you."
The words rip through me, and I almost laugh. Oh, how I wanted those words so badly, only to get them at the worst possible time. "Why? Why me?"
His other hand hits the mattress, and we're almost nose-to-nose. "Because you're mine. You think I'd let anyone else touch what belongs to me? Fuck no. I did what I needed to do so I could have you. It was well worth it."
Sobs tear through me. I hate him. I love him. I don't want to leave. "Dante..."
Dante Vale, so rarely gently, brushes my tears away with his thumbs, even as his eyes continue to burn just as intensely. "Say it, Isla. Tell me that you feel the same."
As always, it's a demand. I sob harder, but they're broken up with nearly hysterical laughter. Of course, I love him. I've loved him for months now. What the hell is wrong with me? "I love you, you bastard," I choke out between sobs.
Dante closes his eyes, face filled with relief. "Thank fuck."
Then his mouth is on mine, and I taste my tears on his lips, and then his tongue. His hands are in my hair, and I'm gripping the front of his shirt so tightly I hear seams pop. I don't want to need him, but I do. So bad that it hurts.
"I'm still angry," I pant out when we break apart, even though I'm already pulling at his clothes. "I'll probably be angry for a while."
Dante doesn't reply, instead helping me get his shirt off. My hands go to his belt, undoing it and yanking it free. It hits the floor with a thump, and I fumble to undo his pants. I can feel him watching me, but I don't care. I need to feel his skin against mine, his weight on top of me, his cock filling me up until all I can focus on is the pleasure.
Dante seems to be in the same headspace because he pushes me back on the bed, climbing over me. He's kissing me again, our tongues tangling together as I wrap my legs around his waist, hands running all over his muscled chest and arms and through the sprinkling of dark chest hair.
But then he's pulling away, getting to his feet. "Get your clothes off, Isla.”
I roll over and get to my knees, tearing at my clothes until they're gone, flung across the room. When I turn back to Dante, he's naked and kneeling on the bed in front of me. I'm on my back before I even know what's happening, legs spread wide as he climbs between them, notching himself at my entrance.
"Say you're mine," he snarls, his eyes wild. "Tell me you'll always be mine."