4. Chapter Four Dante
Chapter Four: Dante
I paced the length of my penthouse, a predator in a tailored suit, every tick of the clock grating like nails on a chalkboard. Jade was in the other room, and I knew what I had to do—protect her, keep our secret safe. Protect us both from my old man’s wrath.
The knock on the door was sharp, precise. I swung it open to find Dr. Byrd, an obgyn with ties to the family, standing there with his bag of medical paraphernalia. “Dante,” he greeted, a nod of acknowledgment but no smile. He knew better than to waste time on pleasantries. He had been paid an exorbitant amount of money by many of us to make sure he never spoke a word about it to my father.
I needed to be the one to tell Enzo about Jade. I just…hadn’t found the courage to do so yet. But I would.
“Doc,” I said curtly, stepping aside to let him through. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
“Of course,” he said. “Congratulations, Dante.”
Jade was sitting up in bed, looking like she’d rather be anywhere else but here. Her eyes darted nervously between me and the doctor as he set his equipment down. I hovered by the doorway, watching as he slipped on gloves with practiced ease.
“Let’s get your vitals first,” Dr. Byrd said, reaching for her wrist. His touch was clinical, impersonal. Jade barely flinched as he checked her pulse, his face unreadable.
“Everything seems normal there,” he commented before rummaging through his bag again. “Now, if you plan on delivering vaginally, we should check how things are progressing.”
“Delivering?” Jade echoed faintly, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked lost, like a kid who’d wandered too far from home.
“Have you given any thought to how you want to have the baby?” Dr. Byrd asked, not unkindly.
She shook her head, her dark hair swaying gently around her shoulders. “I haven’t really thought about it,” she admitted. “But isn’t it a bit early for a vaginal check? I mean, I’m not super far along…”
“Just a precaution,” he said. “We like to ensure everything is on track early on.”
“Like what?” Jade asked.
“I need to look for lesions that indicate infections, abnormalities, or anything that could pose a risk during delivery,” Dr. Byrd explained, his voice clinical as he continued his examination.
I watched as Jade gripped the sheets, her knuckles turning white. I wanted to go to her, hold her hand, tell her it was going to be okay. But I knew I was the least likely source of comfort at that moment.
“It’s important for the baby,” he said. “But we could do it another time.”
“No, it’s okay. If it’s important, let’s do it now.”
“Alright.” He nodded, then turned toward me. “She should probably go to the hospital for regular check-ups.”
I stepped forward, a scowl forming on my lips. “She’s been feeling unwell lately,” I interjected smoothly. “I don’t want her stressing out more than necessary.”
Dr. Byrd looked at me for a moment, his gaze sharp. Then he nodded once, all business. “I’ll make sure she gets everything she needs here,” he promised.
Satisfied, I leaned against the wall, arms crossed over my chest. This was my world, where I pulled the strings. And right now, I was pulling them to keep Jade safe—safe from my family, safe from Caruso, safe from the world.
And I was keeping our baby safe too.
“Okay, Jade,” Dr. Byrd said, his voice pulling me back to the present. “I need you to undress from the waist down for me.”
My eyes flickered to her as she hesitated for a split second before unbuttoning her jeans. She slid them off with as much grace as one could muster in such a vulnerable position. My gaze lingered on the curves of her hips, the smooth expanse of her skin now bare in the soft light filtering through the blinds.
“Here,” Dr. Byrd said gently, handing her the edge of the duvet. “Cover yourself with this.”
Jade took it, draping it over herself, and lay back on the bed. I watched every motion, my throat tightening slightly at the sight of her vulnerability. This was a side of her I protected fiercely—from others, and from myself.
“Can you spread your legs for me?” he asked, his tone professional as he donned his gloves.
She complied, and I knew this wasn’t the time or place, but damn if I didn’t feel a surge of possessiveness seeing another man touch her, even if it was for medical reasons. When he applied lube to his gloved fingers and carefully inserted them inside her, her body tensed, and she let out a small groan, her eyes locking onto mine.
“Good, just relax,” Dr. Byrd instructed calmly.
But relaxing was the last thing I could do. Seeing her like this, in my bed, under someone else’s touch, stirred something primal within me. I wanted to claim her, remind her who she belonged to, even as I stood silent, a specter in the room.
“Everything seems normal here,” the doctor murmured more to himself than anyone else, his focus never wavering from his task.
I forced myself to stay still, to not react. But inside, my blood was boiling, thoughts racing with dark, hungry desires that both repulsed and enticed me. Jade’s eyes were still fixed on me, and I wondered if she could see the storm brewing inside me, if she knew the effect she had—even now, when we should be thinking only of our child’s health.
“I’m going to use a speculum now,” Dr. Byrd said as he removed his fingers from her.
Jade’s eyes widened slightly at the instrument he held up – a duck-billed contraption that looked more like a medieval torture device than anything meant for medical purposes. But she nodded, biting her lower lip in trepidation.
“Okay,” she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper.
I ran a hand over my face, my fingers pressing into the tension knotting my forehead. I watched as Dr. Byrd carefully inserted the speculum, his movements slow and deliberate. Jade’s breath hitched, and again, she turned her gaze to me.
The raw vulnerability in her eyes was like a punch to my gut. It was always there, underlying everything she did, but seeing it laid bare now was almost too much to bear. I stepped closer to the bed unable to resist any longer.
“I’m here,” I told her quietly, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. Her fingers curled around mine tightly. Whether it was out of fear or comfort, I didn’t know.
The moment stretched on, an eternity packed into minutes, until finally, Dr. Byrd finished his examination. He peeled off his gloves with a snap, breaking the tension.
“Everything looks good, Jade. We’ll keep monitoring closely,” he said, his words somehow managing to pierce the thick atmosphere that had settled around us. “I’m going to take a swab and send it to the lab for culture tests. This is just a standard procedure to ensure there are no infections that could harm you or the baby.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Jade replied, her voice steady despite the ordeal.
“Of course,” he nodded, then turned to me as he finished up. “Dante, can I have a word?”
“Sure,” I answered curtly, my gaze lingering on Jade for a heartbeat longer before following him out.
“Take your prenatal vitamins, and I’ll be back next week to check on you again,” Dr. Byrd instructed Jade, his professional tone masking any concern he might have harbored. “But I recommend going to the hospital for an ultrasound sooner rather than later. Just to be safe.”
“Understood,” I said, my voice a low growl that didn’t quite mask the protective edge. The last thing I wanted was for Jade to feel any more discomfort than necessary.
Dr. Byrd nodded, giving Jade one final reassuring smile before he started to pack his things.
“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice softer now as I approached the bed where she still lay, exposed.
“Y-yes, I’m fine,” she stammered, clearly trying to regain some semblance of control over her situation. Her attempt at composure was admirable, but I knew better.
“Good,” I murmured, reaching for her hand, feeling the delicate bones beneath her skin. “I’ll take care of everything. You just focus on our baby.”
“Alright…” she replied, eyeing the doctor as she did.
I nodded, the corners of my mouth lifting in a half-smile meant to reassure her. “We’ll see him next week,” I said, catching the relief that flickered across Jade’s face like a candle flame steadying in a still room. Dr. Byrd finished collecting his things, and I watched him move with that clinical efficiency of his that always seemed to leave a cold trail in the air.
“Stay put,” I told Jade, my voice low but firm. “I need to have a word with the doc. I’ll be right back.”
She gave a small nod, her dark hair fanning out on the pillow, and I turned, following Dr. Byrd out of the bedroom. His footsteps were silent against the plush carpet of the living room, a stark contrast to the chaos that typically surrounded my life.
At the door, I extended my hand, the gesture more formal than friendly. “Thanks for taking care of her,” I said, my voice steady, betraying none of the protective storm that raged within me.
Dr. Byrd shook my hand, his grip quick and impersonal. “Of course, Dante. Just doing my job,” he replied, before stepping out into the hallway of my penthouse.
“Next week then,” I said. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
Dr. Byrd turned back to me, his eyes serious. “I strongly advise against postponing the ultrasound. You want to make sure everything is progressing normally. It’s a typical procedure, especially given your... unique situation.”
I clenched my jaw at his words, the implications of what he wasn’t saying ringing loud and clear in my mind. I gave a stiff nod, letting him know I got the message.
“I’ll see to it,” I said tersely. “But you’ll come next week?”
“Yes. Next week,” he confirmed, and with that, I closed the door, the soft click echoing my finality.
With the doctor gone, the silence of my penthouse wrapped around me like a familiar cloak. I locked the door and turned back toward the bedroom.
She lay there, still and expectant, and I could barely contain the predator rising within me. Without hesitation, I crawled onto the bed beside her, my movements deliberate.
“I should have asked Dr. Byrd to let me lick his fingers after he was done being inside of you,” I murmured, my voice low and dark with desire.
Jade’s breath hitched, and I could see her recoil, just a fraction, the revulsion at my words warring with something else—a spark that told me she was inexplicably turned on by the raw hunger in my tone. It was a dangerous game, teetering on the edge of too much, but it was one I knew all too well how to play.
Sensing her conflict, I shifted closer, my hand trailing up her thigh as I watched her face for any sign of retreat. But there was none. So I slipped my fingers between her legs, feeling the warmth and wetness that greeted me.
“God, you’re so wet,” I groaned, loving the way her body responded to even the slightest touch. I didn’t push further though; I knew she was still sensitive from the doctor’s visit. So I knew I should take my time. I focused on her pleasure, moving my fingers in a rhythm on her clit designed to draw out every shiver and moan.
Leaning down, I whispered against her skin, “I would’ve sucked that speculum clean if it meant getting a taste of you.”
Her reaction was immediate; a sharp intake of breath and then a soft whimper, telling me that my words were exactly what she craved.
As the words rumbled out, I slid a finger inside her, mimicking the earlier intrusion by Dr. Byrd, but setting a languid pace that left her gasping. “You like that, don’t you?” I teased, watching as her chest rose and fell in rapid succession.
“Yes,” Jade breathed out, an admission of what my touch was doing to her. The grip she had on the sheets tightened, and she threw back her head with a throaty moan.
The sight of her lost in pleasure fueled my own desire, stirring something primal within me. I could watch her like this all day—writhe and squirm under my touch.
Pulling my finger out of her slowly, I brought it to my lips and tasted her. “Mmm,” I hummed appreciatively, “you always taste so fucking good. I should have fucked you while he was still here…”
Her eyes widened at my words, a blush creeping up her cheeks as she bit down on her lower lip in anticipation. I could feel the heat emanating off of her, driving me further into a frenzy. Leaning in close enough that our noses nearly touched, I whispered, “Would you have liked that, Jade? Having him see how well you take my cock?”
She gasped, her eyes fluttering close as a shiver ran through her. The blush deepened on her cheeks and she turned her head slightly, embarrassment and desire playing out on her delicate features. “Dante...” she started, but her voice trailed off.
I move the duvet down so I could see all of her body. Her shirt was still on, but she wasn’t wearing anything from the waist down, and she was fucking delicious to look at.
I let out a low growl at the sight. “I can’t wait till next week when he comes back,” I confessed. Leaning forward, I captured the lobe of her ear between my teeth before letting it go with a nip. “Watching him touch you like that...I wanted to rip his hands off.”
“But at the same time,” I continued, my voice dipping lower as I caressed the skin of her inner thigh, “I liked it. The thought of another man seeing you...seeing how beautiful you are...how wet you get.”
Her breath hitched again and her fingers flexed against my hand, the admission sending a potent thrill through me.
Inch by inch, I moved my hand higher until I was right where I wanted to be. Her body reacted immediately, a soft gasp escaping her lips, her hips arching towards my touch.
I smirked at her reaction, trailing kisses along the side of her neck as I continued to stroke her. “You like that, don’t you?” I whispered into her ear. “The thought of someone else seeing you like this...all exposed and dripping for me.”
I slipped a finger inside her again, feeling the slick heat that welcomed me. The way she moaned and arches up towards me was intoxicating.
“I’m not going to fuck you now ’cause I know you’re probably still sore,” I told her. “But I am going to make you come.”
She squirmed beneath me, her body already trembling as she nodded eagerly. I kissed her then, long and deep, stealing her breath away as my fingers kept their relentless pace. Her soft cries were muffled against my mouth, her hands clutching at my shirt as the tension coiled tightly within her.
She was close. So damn close.
The thought that this brilliant woman, usually so in control, was quivering under my touch, was enough to send a primal thrill through me. I pulled back from our kiss, watching her face crumple with the loss of contact. But I wanted to see her...I wanted to watch as I pushed her over the edge.
“Look at me,” I commanded, my voice gravelly with desire.
Her eyes fluttered open and locked onto mine. The raw need I saw in them pushed away any lingering doubts I had about this game we were playing.
“That’s it,” I encouraged her softly, a stark contrast to the roughness from before. “I want you to come while watching me.”
Her breath hitched in anticipation and her grip on my shirt tightened significantly. My fingers kept their steady rhythm, pushing deeper within her.
Jade’s moans hitched higher with every movement, coming out in short little gasps that drove me wild. Her gaze remained locked with mine, the expression of pure ecstasy etching itself across her face as she drew closer to her climax. I could see the exact moment she tipped over the edge; her pupils dilated and a rush of wetness coated my fingers.
“Come for me,” I ordered, my voice a low rumble in her ear.
A strangled moan tore from her lips as she did just that, her body going rigid as the waves of pleasure crashed over her.
“Good girl,” I praised, stroking gently through her orgasm until her shudders subsided and she collapsed back onto the bed, panting heavily.
I pulled my hand away from between her legs and brought my fingers to my mouth, tasting her once more. The musky sweetness was addictive; I couldn’t get enough.
“You’re fucking hot,” I said as her breath slowed. “See? It’s not so bad here, is it?”
She opened her mouth, but before she could speak, I swallowed her answer with a kiss.