25. Dante
DANTE
Walking up the stairs with Rose trailing me has my brain quickly shuffling all the reasons a bed would have magically appeared since she left earlier today, but with her proximity and knowing she will be here all night…
alone…with me…my mind is conjuring all the possibilities and sleep is not one of them.
Fuck, I need a drink if I’m going to get through this.
“Do you need help with your luggage?” I have to break the tension that has been building since the diner. I could tell Rose was uncomfortable accepting my offer to stay, and I need to find a way to put her at ease. Maybe we both need that drink.
“Uh, I’m only going to bring in the essentials since I’m only staying tonight.”
I hold back a growl at her stubbornness. I will just bring her stuff in later tonight when she is asleep anyway, so it’s not worth arguing with her.
“I’ll show you to the guest room, then.”
“I know where the guest room is, Dante.”
This woman continues to try my patience.
“Fine. Do you need anything else from me? I have some work I need to finish.” I don’t have any work to finish other than her, but she doesn’t need to know that.
“Um, not to sound ungrateful for your, uh, hospitality,” she says tentatively, “but, uh, do you have a blanket or something I can use? Since you don’t have beds or furniture yet?”
“There is a bed in the guest room. It has fresh sheets and blankets.”
“What do you mean there is a bed in the guest room? I was just in there earlier today, and it was empty. The deliveries won’t arrive for several days.”
“I thought I mentioned it before, but I had something ordered prior to your arrival for myself, but it was delayed and just delivered, so I put it in the guest room.” That sounds like a reasonable excuse. Let’s just hope she buys it.
“Oh, um, okay? So does that mean you don’t have a bed?
I don’t want to put you out if you’ve been waiting for it this whole time.
I don’t mind sleeping on the floor.” I can hear the lie in her voice, but I know she’s too proud to admit she has gotten used to the luxury that money can buy.
Plus, she deserves all the luxuries in life.
I’d sleep outside if it meant she was more comfortable.
“It’s fine, Rose. Take the bed.”
“Seriously, Dante. You are my client. You should really —”
“Rose, take the damn bed before I throw you over my shoulder and deliver you to the room myself.”
“Oh,” Rose says with widening eyes.
“Oh?” I can’t hold back my smirk as I take a step closer, invading her personal space.
Well, that wasn’t the response I expected from her after my outburst. I think I even see a hint of pink on her cheeks.
Maybe Step 2 won’t be as difficult as I thought if this is how she reacts to my dominant nature.
“That would be highly unprofessional.” Her response comes out breathy and low.
“That doesn’t sound like a no to me. We could always share the bed if you are so concerned for my well-being.” Let’s see how far I can push her.
“This isn’t some kind of ‘only one bed left at the inn’ situation, Dante.”
“It can be if that makes you feel better.” I am close enough to her now that she has to tip her head back and look up to make eye contact. I can feel her breath escape with my response.
“Dante, I don’t think that would be a good idea.” I love hearing my name on her lips.
Leaning down so I can whisper in her ear, I brush a lock of her hair behind her ear, and I can feel her shiver with my touch. “I’ve never been accused of making good decisions, Rose.”
She doesn’t pull away from my closeness as she responds, “I don’t want to keep you from your work.”
“I still haven’t heard a no, Rose. Unless you prefer a safe word instead?”
“Dante!” That seems to break her out of her trance.
“A little on the nose for a safe word, don’t you think? But I’m okay with it if you are.” I punctuate my response with a wink.
“No!”
“Again with the mixed signals, tesoro mio.”
“Ugh, Dante!”
“Metterò fine alle mie sofferenze,” I mutter under my breath. “Go to bed, Rose. I will see you in the morning.”
“What did you just say?”
“Good night, Rose.” I need to end this before I do something I can’t take back.
“Dante, wait.”
I’d wait for you forever if I had to. But instead, I just pause my descent and cock my head back toward her in response.
“Thank you…for letting me stay tonight. I really didn’t want to go back to that motel.”
I hear the vulnerability in her voice, and all I can do is nod in acknowledgment and keep walking away.
Once I get back into the security of the basement and I ensure Rose has gone into the guest room, I double-check that I have the property fully locked down.
Luckily, Rose had the awareness to lock the door to her room, so I didn’t have to, but she doesn’t need to know I can control everything remotely, if it gives her peace of mind to lock it herself.