Chapter 75: You and Only You

Dante and I walk into our dark room. When the room suddenly goes bright, I squint my eyes. Once I take off my shoes and put down my purse, I drop onto the bed and lie there like a starfish stranded on the beach.

What a long night. Thank god it's over already. I won't lie, but tonight was fun, especially when the siblings are having a banter with each other. They looked like they had so much fun together as a family. It must be nice to have siblings to talk and play with. I've lost both of my brothers, so everything that has happened with them feels like a distant memory, almost like a dream or an imagination. I know what I see in my mind did happen, but they still feel fake.

"Looks like you had fun at the party," Dante says as he walks towards me. He then stops right in front of me, staring right into my eyes with an indecipherable expression. I don't know where he's going with what he just said, but I'll follow his lead. Let's see what's going on in his mind.

"Well, I have to," I say, pushing myself to sit. I stop abruptly, almost hitting his crotch with my face. With my face burning from embarrassment, I quickly move away from Dante and deeper into the bed. Shit was so close, oh my god.

My eyes widen as Dante pushes his knee between my thighs, standing over me with his dark gaze fixated on me. The way he's staring at me makes my heart beat faster out of both excitement and fear. It feels as if time has stopped, and we're the only people in the world. It seems like Dante has really changed. Before, he didn't even dare to do this because of my father and the looming punishment, but now he's become a daredevil.

"How about the kiss? Do you like it that much?" Dante asks.

My heart races at the sight of Dante leaning down towards me. This interaction between us feels like a dream coming true. Is this even real, or am I just dreaming about this? What turns Dante from a guarded, nonchalant bodyguard to a jealousy-driven secret lover? What changes? What makes him this way? Is it because of Antonio? Is he finally jealous enough to dislike how close Antonio and I have been getting?

"What if I say yes?" I say.

Dante leans closer to me, trapping me between the bed and his body. The lack of distance between us, and his hands on either side of my head, make my heart race and my breath hitch. At this exact moment, all I can think of is what the next few seconds have in store for me. Is it going to be what I expected, or is he just teasing me as usual?

"Then I'll make you feel something so much better," Dante whispers to my ear as he gently caresses my face. I wonder what he has in mind. How would he make me feel something better than Antonio's passionate and gentle kiss from earlier? With another kiss? Or will it be something so much more than that?

"Really? How?" I ask quietly as I put my hand over his hand. Dante moves back a little. The lust in his eyes is unmistakable. My heart skips a beat at the sight. His change of behaviour is surprising, but I'm looking forward to whatever he has in store for me. He should give me what he wants to give right now. No more waiting for the right time. Now is the right time.

"Like this."

Dante grabs my face, and his face inches closer to mine by the seconds. I see the hesitation in his eyes, but all of it vanishes once our lips touch. We're like magnets with opposite poles, pulling each other closer and closer. Our kiss becomes more and more feverish, and I can't seem to pull myself away from him.

Dante finally pulls away first. Both of us are breathless, with desire burning in our eyes. I want more from him, but I know that we should stop here. We can't do something that we'll regret. And considering we're staying right next to my father's room, he could find out if something happened between Dante and me. So, not tonight. Not anytime soon. Even though I want him so badly, I know we can't risk it. Not until we've dealt with the Ricci and the Romanos.

"Are you okay?" Dante asks. Worry fills his eyes once again. Caressing his face, I give him a reassuring smile, yet he still seems uneasy. I sigh at the way he stares at me, but I continue to run circles on his face with my thumb to ease his mind. Dante has been living in fear since he likes me, and I won't allow that fear to persist any longer. I want him to love me fully, without any restraint.

"I'm fine. It's just- we shouldn't do anything just yet," I say.

We've been holding back for so long. We know damn well that we want to have each other in every way we can. However, we also know not to take any rash decisions just yet. Despite all that, I'm glad Dante and I finally had our first kiss. It's also good to know that he's fucking good at it, too.

"I understand. We don't have to do anything. I- I don't know what just took over me. Seeing you and Antonio kissing in public... I've never felt such jealousy before," Dante says as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. I pout at his confession.

Poor Dante. I hate seeing him suffering in silence, but I have no choice but to follow Antonio's move. I must act like I'm in love with him to gain his trust. I have to admit, though, I've been falling for Antonio deeper than I expected, and I hate that. I can only hope that everything will end soon, so I don't have to be anywhere near him anymore.

"I'm sorry you have to see that, but I assure you, I want you and only you. No one else can have me and my heart," I say, giving him a little peck on his lips.

"I believe you," Dante says, kissing my lips once again.

My eyes begin to droop, and a yawn escapes me as my energy drops. The day has truly sucked the living daylight out of me. I need my sleep now. I don't think I can be awake any longer. I'm about to pass out anytime soon, and I can't let that happen yet. I haven't even changed my clothes.

"Time for sleep, princess," Dante says, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. I smile at the sweet gesture. I'm so happy to finally see more of this side from him. He doesn't have to hold himself back anymore. Both of us will be okay, and he definitely knows about that now.

"Yeah. We need to sleep now," I say.

"You know it."

After we change into our pyjamas, Dante and I lie close together in each other's arms. As always, I listen to his calming heartbeat and breathing while he strokes my head gently and softly. My dream has truly come true. Now I get to sleep like this with Dante. I'm glad he has overcome his fear.

My smile vanishes as I realise what awaits me in the future. At this moment, I'm happy to have Dante by my side. Even though we're here together now, everything won't always be like this. I still want to leave, but I know for sure Dante wants to stay. His future here has been set. Only I don't have a future here. Or so I thought. So, will I stay or will I leave?