Chapter 36
DANTE
Later in the night, I’m standing in my closet trying to figure out what I want to wear. I’m taking Essence to my favorite Italian restaurant, and I want to look good for her.
This afternoon when I got home, I cleared out half of my closet and dresser to make space for Essence’s things.
I would have thought it’d feel strange to live with someone after so long of being alone, but I’m eager to have my baby here with me.
This house has been so lonely and empty since Leo died.
I’m grateful to have Lunchbox here to keep me company, but I crave to be near Essence every second of the day.
Picking out a simple white button-up, dark blue denim jeans, and a pair of black shoes, I step out of the closet and stand in front of Lunchbox’s bed.
“What do you think, Lunchbox?” I ask, turning around so he can see the full fit. “You like it?”
He barks excitedly and leaps off his bed to jump on me. I laugh and crouch down to scratch his belly; it’s like he knows I’m about to see his mommy.
After I walk Lunchbox and make sure his food and water bowls are replenished, I lock up the house and go out to my truck.
ME:
On my way.
ESSENCE:
Ok. I can’t wait to see you.
ME:
Me either, baby.
I arrive at Ebony’s house in ten minutes flat due to how fast I was driving. I have to learn to drive the speed limit now that I’m with Essence; she hates when I speed.
Smoothing my hands over my shirt, I make sure there are no wrinkles before I step onto the porch and ring the doorbell.
I’ve spent six months watching Essence, spent so much time obsessing over her and fantasizing about her, but for some reason I’m nervous right now.
Ebony opens the door a minute later, and I’m shocked by how much she looks like her sister with her curls out and no makeup on.
“Hi,” she says, looking me up and down. I hope she’s not still mad about last night.
I clear my throat. “Hi. I’m here to pick up Essence. We have a date tonight.”
She looks me over again then smiles suggestively. “I know. Come in. She should be out soon.”
I step into the living room of Ebony’s home and look around as if I haven’t already been in every single corner of this house when she and Essence weren’t here.
“You can have a seat in the living room,” Ebony says as she walks down the hall that leads to the bedrooms. “I’ll go let Essence know that you’re here.”
She gives me one last once over before turning around and leaving my view.
I let out a breath and take a seat on the plush couch.
A framed picture of Ebony with her husband and son at Disney World sits on a small end table to my right.
I pick it up gently and look at it, imagining Essence and I taking our own children there one day.
“Are you Leo’s daddy?” a little voice asks from behind me.
Startled, I turn and find Matthew standing behind me. He’s wearing Bluey pajamas and holding the firefighter Dalmatian close to his chest.
I put the picture back in its place and crouch down until I’m at eye level with him.
“Yes, I am,” I say with a smile. “You remember me?”
He nods and smiles back. Damn, he looks so much like his aunt.
“I miss Leo. He was my friend,” he says sadly.
Something in my heart fractures at his words. I clear my throat and nod in acknowledgment.
“I know, buddy, me too. But even though he’s not here anymore, he’s always watching us.”
Right after I say it, I inwardly cringe. Matthew is so young and I’m not sure how much he knows about death or if he knows about it at all, but then he points to the ceiling and asks, “Up there?”
Unshed tears burn my eyes and emotion clogs my throat, and all I’m able to do is nod in answer.
“Matthew, you’re supposed to be asleep,” Ebony chastises. She quickly scoops him up and gives me an apologetic smile.
I stand and wave a dismissive hand with a chuckle, but when Essence steps from behind her sister, I swear the earth stops turning.
I feel like I can’t breathe or speak or move.
Exquisite is the only word I can think of to describe how absolutely breathtaking she looks.
She’s straightened her hair, and it falls down her back and over her shoulders in a dark, glossy curtain. The smokiness of her makeup compliments the black dress she’s wearing, making her look like some kind of dark goddess.
That dress…
Fuck, it fits hers body like a glove but still leaves enough to be desired.
And man, do I desire to rip it off her and fuck her right now.
“Hi,” I say, albeit a bit stupidly. She and Ebony exchange a look. They have some kind of sisterly telepathic conversation before Essence starts giggling.
When she turns back to me, she says, “You look so handsome.” She reaches out and runs a hand down my arm, and I think I might actually pass out. My dick is already hardening in my pants.
Fuck.
“You’re—uhhh…”
She raises her eyebrows expectantly, waiting for a compliment, but I’m so flustered by her that I can’t find the words I want to say.
“He’s speechless,” Ebony says, amused.
I clear my throat. “Are you ready?”
She nods and grabs a black peacoat off the hook by the front door and kisses her sister on the cheek. Then she slides her hand into mine and gives me a warm smile that nearly brings me to my fucking knees.
“Take care of my baby sister, Dante,” Ebony says. Her demeanor is pleasant, but I don’t miss the dangerous undertone to her words.
I’ve killed before, so there’s not much I'm afraid of, but getting on an older sister’s bad side isn’t on my bingo card for this year.
“I will,” I say quietly.
And I mean that. Essence already knows that I would die before I ever intentionally hurt her. She’s everything to me, and I intend to cherish her forever.
Ebony stands at the front door with Matthew on her hip and watches the two of us walk down the driveway to my truck. I help Essence get in before getting into the driver’s side and pulling away.
We drive in silence for a little bit, both of us too nervous to say anything. Instead, Essence places her hand on my thigh while I drive.
I’m so fucking hard right now that any kind of contact with her has me desperately yearning to sink myself deep inside of her.
Twenty minutes later, we pull up to the front of the restaurant. I hand the valet attendant my keys and help Essence down, then we go inside.
It’s Friday night, so the dining room is packed to capacity. We have to wait a little while after our reservation time for a table to open up, but I'm not mad about it; Essence and I talk about Lunchbox and Matthew while we wait.
“Mr. Romano,” the host says as he walks to where Essence and I are standing by the door. “Your table is ready now.”
I give him a small, but appreciative smile. “Thank you.”
Taking Essence’s small hand in mine, I pull her along behind me as we follow the host to a table in the back of the restaurant. It’s in a shadowy corner, but I personally don’t mind. My mind conjures up a bunch of things I can do to her back here where no one will pay any attention to us.
The host sets a couple of menus down on the table and pulls out Essence’s chair for her. I bristle at the action even though I know it’s innocent—I want to be the only man to do anything for her.
Her eyes are on me as she thanks him, which soothes my ego.
“So, what do you usually order when you come here?” she asks, perusing her menu.
“The carbonara is my favorite,” I tell her, looking at my own menu. “This place makes it more authentically than other Italian American restaurants.”
She smiles and looks at me over the top of her menu. “I’ll try it.”