him. “Be honest with me, Amara. When you think of me, what is it you feel? I need to know. I have to.”
“I . . . I don’t know how I’m supposed to answer that.” I mutter, trying to think of the word for how he really makes me feel.
Dante moves his fingers from under my chin and cups my cheek. “It’s simple. Right here. Right now. What do you feel with me?”
I blink a couple of times while my lip begins to tremble. I’m terrified to admit this to him, but I’m going to because I know if I don’t, I’ll risk losing this man forever. And quite frankly, I like him far too much for that.
“Safe. You make me feel safe, Dante Lopez. It’s as if all my worries vanish, and it happens every time I look into these eyes of yours.” I bring my hand up and graze my fingertips against his cheekbone. I stare into his eyes and realize this isn’t enough. It’s like everything comes crashing in, every feeling and emotion.
I rise to my tip toes and press my lips against his. I’m quick to wrap my arms around his neck and pull myself closer. His lips are soft and velvety. I’d thought they’d be rough and chapped, but no.
Dante snakes his arm around my waist and holds me in place. I close my eyes and revel in the feeling of us being this close together. His lips brush against mine in a sensual, soft manner but after a short amount of time we both begin to grow rougher with the other. It’s the only thing we need to know we’ve both had this feeling inside us.
He crushes his lips against mine, as if he can’t breathe without me. Our kiss grows with hunger. I push my tongue past his clenched teeth when he rips himself away.
His nostrils flare as he paces back and forth. “You . . . you’re something else, mi reyna. Fuck. Fucking fuck! We can’t do this. Not now. Not when I’ll fucking rip you apart given the slightest opportunity. Is that what you want, to see me for who I really am?”
I’m taken aback by what he’s said. “I already know you for who you are. A good man. You showed me compassion in my moments of turmoil. Dante, you are the good one in this scenario. You’re the beauty. Don’t you see that? I’m the beast. It’s me. I’m the one who ruins everything I touch.” I don’t realize what I’ve replied with until it’s out.
Dante immediately stops pacing, rushes through the distance between us and holds my face in the palm of his hand. “I don’t want you to ever say something like this again. Que no ves Amara? Me tienes captivado por tu belléza y por todo lo que tu erés. Te quiero solamente a tí.” My Spanish is rough, but I know enough of what he just said to put the puzzle pieces together.
“Do you mean that?” I question as tears threaten to slip past the corners of my eyes.
“Why would I lie? Amara . . . I know this seems insane, but even after a month apart I still crave you like I did the first time I saw you. Even coming out of that shack, covered in filth, I knew. The only question is do you want me?”
“Dante . . . I do. I want to try this, to see where it leads. But, please know what you’re getting into bed with.” I murmur.
“A gorgeous woman?” He snickers, flashing those pearly whites.
I shake my head. “No, with a woman who is hated by many and feared by the rest. I’ve told you this many times, but I’ll say it again. I’m not a good woman.”
“And I’m not a good man. If you ask me, we’re the perfect pairing.”
Chapter Fifteen
If you really care for her, then show her. There’s no need to play games with her heart and ruin something that you’ll end up regretting. Remember one of the greatest blessings is having a good woman in your life.
~ Unknown
Dante
Here she is trying to dissuade me, and I shot the smartest reply back at her. Amara may feel like she isn’t enough, that she’s too horrid of a woman for me, but I’ll tell her every time she says it how she isn’t as horrible as she believes.
“How can you say that and mean it? You showed me kindness from the moment we met, Dante.”