Chapter Thirteen
Dante didn’t know why, but he felt nervous as he pulled into the driveway of his childhood home in Barnsville, New Jersey. He glanced over at Holly, and though her pretty face looked serene, he could see her wringing her hands in her lap. In the backseat, Hannah, on the other hand, looked outside with an excited expression on her face.
He wasn’t worried about his family liking Holly and Hannah, of course not. They were all going to love them because who wouldn’t? No, he was anxious about Holly’s reaction to his family. He wanted her to love them.
She had already been so reluctant to spend even more time with him, and now he had coerced her into coming to dinner to meet his entire family. He sensed she would try to back out, so as soon as they sat down to breakfast that morning, he told Hannah they were invited to Christmas Eve dinner and that Adrianna and Lucas would be there as well. The little girl looked overjoyed and even let out a squeak of excitement. Dante himself would have had a hard time saying no to her. Holly had seemed so shocked by her niece’s reaction, she just nodded when he asked her if they could be ready by two p.m.
Dante left their apartment after breakfast, telling Holly he had an errand to run and that he’d be back soon, but to call him if she felt scared or if anything suspicious happened, even if it was a small thing.
He wasn’t lying; he did have an errand to run, but he didn’t want to tell her what it was exactly. He had a surprise for Hannah and Holly and asked a favor of Killian, the leader of the former Lone Wolves. Killian and his family were staying put in New York City this year and agreed to help him out. So, Dante ran his errand, stopped by Killian’s place, and then went back to Holly’s apartment so they could drive out to Jersey.
“Okay, we’re here,” he said as he cut the engine. “Hold on.” He slipped out of the driver’s side, then opened the door for Holly.
“Wow, this is a nice house,” Holly said, looking up at the Victorian-style mansion. “You grew up here?”
“Yeah, my grandmother and grandfather bought it a couple of years after they started the restaurant,” Dante explained. “They raised my mom here, and then she raised us here, too. None of us live here full time now though, so Nonna Gianna moved in. We all take turns visiting her every weekend and help her at the restaurant.”
“It’s beautiful,” she said. “Can you help Hannah out?” She had her hands full with two big pastry boxes. When he had gotten back to Holly’s place, she had whipped up a huge batch of French macarons in a rainbow of colors. She said that she had spent an entire summer working on her recipe when she was in school, refusing to give up until she got it perfect.
Dante opened the rear passenger door and then helped Hannah out. She was still clutching the stuffed wolf, refusing to leave it at home. He held her hand and guided her up the steps to the porch. Holly was already waiting for them by the front door.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Would it be rude if I left the box by the door and ran?”
He chuckled. “It’ll be fine.” He turned the knob, knowing the door was unlocked. “Hello?” he called out.
All the lights were on, and the house had been decked out in all the Christmas decorations they owned, some even his grandmother had brought over from Italy. Evergreen garlands decorated with lights and baubles wound down the bannisters on the staircase, as well as the windows. Wreathes hung on all the doors and boughs of evergreen hung over every entryway. He led Hannah and Holly into the living room room, where a huge tree sat in the corner, decorated with all kinds of ornaments, tinsel, and lights. There were a group of adults next to the fireplace, chatting and sipping wine while a couple of children played in one corner.
“Uncle Dante! Uncle Dante!” Adrianna and Lucas chorused as soon as they entered.
“Mama said you had a surprise for us,” Adrianna said. “It’s Hannah and Holly, right?”
“Smart girl,” Dante said.
“Hannah!” they cried when they realized who was hiding behind him. They both surrounded Hannah and enveloped her in a tight hug.
“Yay!” Adrianna cheered. “I’m going to tell Daddy and Auntie Alynna!” She ran out of the living room.
“Dante, Hannah, Holly!” Frankie greeted as she approached them. “I’m glad you could make it. Merry Christmas.” She gave her brother a kiss on the cheek and then embraced Hannah and Holly. “Sorry, I know it’s kind of a weird time for dinner. But, we’re leaving for Paris at nine p.m., and my sister-in-law and her family are leaving for Chicago around the same time.”
“It’s fine,” Holly said. “I made these. I hope they’re okay. And that it’s okay we’re intruding on your family Christmas celebration.”
Frankie clucked her tongue. “Nonsense. We’re glad to have you.”
“So, what’s this I hear about Dante bringing a girl?” Grant Anderson said as he entered the room, Adrianna tugging at his arm. Alynna, his sister, followed from behind.
“Actually,” Dante said, pulling Hannah up into his arms and putting an arm around Holly. “I brought two girls. This is Hannah and Holly.”
“Woohoo, Chef McHottie,” Alynna Westbrooke, Grant’s sister, joked as she elbowed her way forward. “You’ve done well for yourself. Too good, I think, and I already know she doesn’t deserve you.” She gave Holly a warm smile. “Hello, I’m Alynna Westbrooke,” she introduced herself.
“Holly Taylor,” she said, taking the other woman’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“This is a good look for you, Dante,” Alynna said with a wink.
Grant rolled his eyes. “Excuse my sister; she has no filter whatsoever. Grant Anderson.”
If Holly was intimidated by the Alpha of New York, she didn’t show it. She shook Grant’s hand warmly and looked him in the eye as she introduced herself. Dante felt pride swell in his chest.
“Now,” Frankie began. “Nonna’s in the kitchen. She’s banned us from entering and helping, so you’ll see her in a bit. But let me introduce you to the rest of the family.”
Dante followed them as Frankie introduced them to the adults she hadn’t yet met. Enzo and Matt she knew, but not Rafe and his wife Jenny, who was about six months pregnant with their first child; there was also Alex, Alynna’s husband. Then there were the kids, who all seemed delighted to have found a new playmate in Hannah. There were seven kids now (soon to be eight), and they welcomed Hannah with open arms. The shy little girl seemed reluctant at first, but was easily taken into the fold.
“Now, are we ready to eat?” Enzo asked.
“Almost, I think,” Frankie said. “We’re just waiting for—” A loud, revving sound from a motorcycle engine cut her off and a cheer rang out from the kids. “Noah,” Frankie said with a smirk.
“Your father knows how to make an entrance,” Alynna chuckled.
“Your father?” Holly echoed, looking up at Dante.
“Yeah, didn’t I mention he’d be here?” he said with feigned innocence.
Holly narrowed her eyes at him.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want her to meet Noah. He wasn’t mad at his father, despite him having been gone most of his life. He just didn’t know how to explain it to Holly and not scare her away at the same time.
The door opened, and heavy footsteps plodded through the front hall, making their way to the living room.
“Grandpa Noah! Grandpa Noah!” The Anderson and Westbrooke children ran toward the man entering the doorway.
Noah walked into the living room in his usual red leather riding gear, carrying a large sack Dante knew would be filled with presents. He had texted his father earlier in the day, asking him to bring an extra present for Hannah. Noah had agreed and didn’t even ask him any questions.
Now, however, his father glanced over at Holly, then to Hannah, who was clinging to Dante’s legs, and raised a quizzical brow at him. Noah finished greeting all the kids, promising them they would all have presents, then walked over to Dante and Holly.
“Dante,” he greeted. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Noah,” Dante greeted back. “I’d like you to meet Holly and Hannah Taylor.”
“Nice to meet you, Holly,” Noah said.
“Nice to meet you too, Noah,” Holly said, extending her hand, which he shook.
Noah bent down to Hannah’s eye level. With his red jacket, long white beard, and massive frame, Noah would have looked intimidating to anyone, especially a little girl. Hannah shrank back further behind Dante.
“Hannah, honey, it’s okay,” Dante urged. “This is my dad. He rides a motorcycles and loves bringing gifts for everyone. Kinda like Santa. Maybe he’ll show you his motorcycle.”
Hannah looked up at him with her big blue eyes, then back at Noah. Slowly, she moved closer, her eyes narrowing as she inspected Noah.
“Hello Hannah,” he said. “You can call me Grandpa Noah. All the kids do.”
“She doesn’t talk,” Holly said, her tone embarrassed.
“Oh. You don’t like to talk?” Noah asked. “Sometimes when I’m on my motorcycle and I’ve been riding around for days, I don’t say a word neither. It’s okay, pumpkin, you talk when you’re ready, okay?”
Hannah’s face broke out into a smile and Noah gave her a gentle pat on the head before standing up.
“Hello, Noah,” Frankie said as she hugged her father. “How was your ride over?”
“Cold but beautiful. There’s snow everywhere up north, and we’ll probably be seeing a couple inches tonight,” he answered, then turned to Grant. “Alpha.”
“Merry Christmas, Noah,” Grant said. “Glad to have you with us. Sorry about the change of plans. You’re welcome to join us in Paris; we have plenty of room on the jet.”
Noah chuckled. “Nah, I’m not into fancy shmancy stuff like that. I’ll see you all again for New Year’s Eve. I’m just glad I caught you, so the kids can get their gifts.”
“Grant,” Frankie began. “Did you know Holly lived in Paris for a couple of years?”
“Really?”
Holly nodded. “Yes. I went to culinary school there on a scholarship.”
“Didn’t you say you wanted to take your mom and stepdad to dinner somewhere special before we leave?” Frankie wiggled her eyebrows at Grant.
“Oh. Right.” Grant cleared his throat. “I think the kids are helping set the table. Let’s go drop Hannah off, and then maybe you can recommend some good restaurants.”
“Of course,” Holly said. “C’mon Hannah, let’s go.”
As soon as Grant, Holly, and Hannah were out of earshot, Frankie turned to Dante. “So? What happened last night?”
“Frankie, did you just make your husband distract Holly so you can interrogate me about her?”
She let out an exasperated sigh. “You slept over at her house, and now you’re bringing her here for Christmas Eve to meet everyone. Tell me, are things serious?”
“Nothing happened, if that’s what you’re asking,” Dante said wryly. “I didn’t have sex with her.”
“So, it is serious,” Noah interjected, which prompted a giggle from Frankie. “Who is she?”
Dante gave Noah the short version about how he met Holly and Hannah. “And so, she didn’t really make plans for Christmas Eve, and I didn’t want to leave her alone, so I brought her here.”
“You’re feeling protective toward her?” Frankie asked with a raised brow.
“She nearly died last night. They both did, of course I am.”
“Hmmm …” Frankie tapped her chin with her finger. “And tell me … do you feel anything else? Like when you first touched her? And does she smell really good to you?”
“Frankie, what are you talking about?”
“She does, doesn’t she? And your wolf reacts around her, right?” Frankie didn’t even bother to wait for an answer before she blurted out, “Holly is your True Mate.”
“Excuse me? Who’s a True Mate?” Alynna said, as she popped up from behind Dante.
“Holly and Dante,” Frankie said.
Alynna squealed with excitement. “Oh my God! I knew it! You’ve never brought a girl over to meet us!”
“What?” Dante exclaimed. “No, you got it all wrong. She’s a human.”
“Duh,” Alynna said. “That doesn’t make a difference. Cady’s a human. And so are Quinn, Connor, and Killian’s mates.”
Dante glanced toward the doorway where Grant and Holly had disappeared, his jaw dropping. It hit him like a ton of bricks. Holly was his True Mate. Possibly, anyway.
“You don’t believe us? There is one way you’ll be able to know for sure,” Alynna said with a sly wink.
It took a moment for what she said to sink into him. “I’m not going to knock her up,” Dante said quickly.
Aside from knowing them by scent and touch, there was one other surefire way to tell if two people were True Mates. Lycans and their destined partners always conceived the first time they had sex without any physical barriers. According to Frankie, she had been religiously taking her birth control when she got pregnant with the twins.
“Aww, but you’d have the most gorgeous babies!” Alynna said.
“You mean, not now, right?” Frankie said. “But you will, eventually?”
“It’s meant to be,” Alynna added. “You can’t stop fate.”
The vision of Holly pregnant with his child quickly made its way into his mind’s eye. His wolf growled with pleasure. Would it be that bad? They could be a family. Him, Holly, Hannah, and all the kids that came after. The thought made his heart swell, and in that moment, he wanted nothing more than to make it come true.
But, then, there was a part of his brain that told him he had to think this through. Holly was already dealing with so much, and the responsibility of motherhood had been thrust on her and derailed her career. She loved being a chef as much as he did, and he couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have that yanked away from him.
“Dante?” Noah asked. “You look like you’re a million miles away.”
He shook his head. “Holly’s been through a lot,” he said. “You guys don’t even know the half of it. I’m not dumping this on her.”
“Dumping this on her?” Frankie asked incredulously. “She’s your mate. You are not ‘dumping’ anything on her.”
“Look, she might not even be my True Mate,” Dante said. The words sent his wolf on edge, as if daring him to say it again.
Alynna eyes widened. “Your wolf knows she is.”
He let out a sigh. “Even if she is,” he began, “I’m not going to fuck this up by getting her pregnant against her will.”
“You wouldn’t be,” Frankie said. “She’d make a great mother. She already is a great mom.”
Dante was losing his patience. Frankie and Alynna had stars in their eyes, probably already planning the wedding. “Look, just … let me figure this out, okay? No meddling.”
“Are you falling in love with her?” Frankie asked.
Noah cleared his throat. “I think we should head to the dining room. It’s almost three-thirty, and you know Gianna will lose her mind if we’re not all seated by the time she brings the antipasta out.”
Dante gave his father a grateful look for the quick subject change. The topic would be tabled for now, but Frankie’s question hung in the air. Was he falling in love with Holly? Shit. He was halfway there already.
***
Dinner was a lively affair as the Anderson-Muccino-Moretti-Westbrooke clan were a vibrant bunch. Despite her initial apprehensions, Holly found herself warmly welcomed and enjoying herself throughout the whole thing.
She looked over to the children’s table. Hannah was smiling and eating, something so rare since she came to live with her. Holly could hardly be resentful, though. All that mattered was that Hannah actually looked happy, surrounded by children who accepted her for who she was. Her eyes actually went misty a couple of times, such as when Adrianna and Lucas had embraced her fiercely when they saw her and when Noah told her it was okay to not talk.
As she took a sip of her wine, she glanced up slyly at Dante, who sat beside her. He was talking to Matt, who was seated on his right. Hannah was smiling because of Dante. Hell, she hadn’t felt this happy herself in a long while.
Holly felt eyes on her, and she looked across the table. Noah was watching her with a curious look on his face, and she blushed. He’d obviously caught her looking at his son. She turned away, hoping to escape his scrutiny. She still wasn’t quite sure what to think of Noah. Dante had never talked about him or his mother. She gathered that his mother had probably passed away, but he’d never mentioned his dad.
“Holly, would you like another slice of pie?” Frankie asked.
“Oh no, I’m stuffed, thank you. Everything was delicious,” she told Gianna.
“Thank you, dear,” the older woman replied. “And your macrons were amazing. Thank you for bringing them.” The kids were also impressed by the “rainbow cookies” (as Mika Anderson had dubbed them) she brought.
“Of course.”
Frankie glanced at her watch. “It’s almost time to go. Probably time to round up the kids.”
“You know it’s gonna be tough,” Alynna said. “They’re going to cry and moan at being separated. I mean, they all live in the same building! You’d think they’re never going to see each other again.”
The rest of the adults stood and began to clean up the table, with the exception of Nonna Gianna, who was, by virtue of being the cook, exempted from cleanup duty. Holly brought some dishes into the kitchen, but she was promptly shut out from further cleanup duty by none other than the men of Dante’s family.
“You’re a guest,” Matt said, pushing her gently out the door. “And guests don’t clean.”
“If you want to make it up to me, you can put in a good word for me to your hot boss,” Enzo added. “Now go. Have a glass of wine and put your feet up.”
“Fine,” she said with a short laugh. She turned around and walked away from the kitchen. Peeking into the living room, she saw the kids were cleaning up discarded toys, probably getting ready to leave. With so many people in the house, the air had gotten quite warm. So, Holly quietly padded to the front door and stepped out onto the porch to enjoy the fresh, cold air.
“Feeling a little hot in there, huh?”
Holly nearly jumped out of her skin. She didn’t realize Noah had joined her on the porch. God, he moved quietly. Now she knew where Dante got it from.
“Sorry to startle you,” he said with a sheepish grin.
“No worries,” she replied. “Uhm, Dante’s in the kitchen, I think.”
“I know.” He stepped forward, his heavy boots making the wooden floorboard shake. “I just needed a little air. Like you did, I guess.”
She shrugged. “It was just getting a little stuffy inside.”
“Mind if I just stand out here with you?”
“Go ahead.”
They stood there for a few moments, enjoying the silence of the cold winter night. Finally, it was Noah who spoke first.
“Dante told me about what happened to your niece. I’m sorry about your brother and his wife. I think it’s admirable, what you’re doing for her.”
She let out an impatient sigh. “People seem to think I’m some kind of saint,” she began. “But she’s my only family left. What was I supposed to do? Anyone would have done the same.” It really was frustrating, all those pitying looks she got when they found out about Hannah. And all those fawning sighs, telling her how “brave” she was for taking her niece in. Frankly, she was getting sick of it. “I should go inside.” She turned to walk away.
“No, they wouldn’t. I wouldn’t have.” He paused. “I mean, I didn’t.”
Holly’s hand on the doorknob froze. “Excuse me?”
“You’re probably wondering why Dante’s never mentioned me before,” he began. “That’s because I abandoned them before he was born. I left after I got their mother pregnant again and Frankie was about two years old.”
Slowly, she turned around. Noah had abandoned his pregnant wife and child? Her mind whirled with questions. But mostly, she felt outrage on Dante and Frankie’s behalf. How could he do that? How could Frankie and Dante welcome him back? Her fingers curled into fists.
“You probably hate me, and that’s understandable,” he said. “And maybe someday you’ll find out my reasons and you’ll forgive me. Or at least understand.”
Curiosity pricked at her. “Why are you telling me this?”
He shrugged. “Because, like I said, not everyone would have done what you did. Some people run away from responsibility, to follow what they think are their dreams and end up regretting it their whole lives.” He paused and looked out toward the road. “Frankie … she has her mother’s temper. Didn’t want anything to do with me when I came to them last year. Dante, on the other hand, was the first one to welcome me back. Has his mother’s heart.” He looked at her knowingly.
A lump formed in her throat, and she swallowed it down. “I—”
“There you are,” Dante said, his head sticking out from behind the door. “It’s almost time to go. We should say goodbye to everyone.”
“Of course,” she said. “What about you, Noah?”
“You go ahead. I’ll be inside in a minute.”
“Thanks for the company,” she said, before following Dante into the room.
“Everything okay?” Dante asked, concern marring his face.
“Yes,” she said. “Just needed some fresh air.”
They walked to the living room, where all the adults and kids were gathered. The kids, who she had heard moaning and crying earlier, now seemed resigned to their separation.
“Promise we’ll see you again?” Adrianna said to Hannah, who looked at Holly. “I want her to meet Bailey. That’s our dog; she’s the best. My Aunt Cady and Nick have her, since we can’t take her to Paris to see Nana.”
“I’ll get your mother’s number,” Holly said. “And we’ll arrange playdates.”
Adrianna hugged Hannah. “Oh, Julianna says you can keep the wolf,” she said, pointing to the stuffed animal in Hannah’s arms. “It’s really good at keeping nightmares away.” The little girl trudged toward her mother, who was chatting with her brothers.
With such a big group, the goodbyes took longer, but, finally, everyone was in their respective vehicles, on their way to their destinations. Holly, Dante, and Hannah were in the car, driving back to Manhattan in relatively comfortable silence.
Holly couldn’t get Noah’s cryptic words out of her mind. What did he mean? Why did he leave them? And had Dante really forgiven him?
“Penny for your thoughts?”
“Huh? Oh.” She shrugged and looked behind her. Holly was fast asleep. “I just … I hope you don’t mind if I ask. About your dad. He told me about leaving you guys.”
“Ah.”
“I mean, it’s fine. You don’t have to—”
“It’s okay.” He paused as he merged onto the highway, checking the mirror to make sure it was clear. “I didn’t meet him until last year,” he said. “It’s hard to explain, but he’s what we call a Lone Wolf. He has no clan and just wanders around.”
“Why doesn’t he have a clan?”
“Well, Noah … he’s not like other Lycans. We live with our wolves, sharing our bodies peacefully most of the time. We learn to control it, so it doesn’t control us. But Noah’s not like that. He doesn’t talk about it, but I think he went through a hard time when he was young. Anyway, his wolf is broken and can’t stay put. Ma was Alpha, and he must have felt his control slipping, which is why he chose to stay away. If he had hurt anyone or risked our secret, Ma would have had no choice but to put him down.”
The words sent a chill through her. Is that what they did to people who tried to reveal their secret? She supposed it was necessary to protect their kind.
“Hey, everything okay? I hope tonight wasn’t too much,” he said.
“No, it was wonderful. Hannah had a great time.”
“Yeah, but did you have a good time?”
She smiled. “Yeah, I did.”
Dante flashed her a grin that made her stomach flip-flop. Outside, the snow had begun to fall, and he drove slower and more carefully. It took them much longer to get back to New York, but they made it eventually. Hannah was fast asleep, so Dante picked her up and carried her all the way up to their apartment.
“Wait.” Dante said as she was about to open the door. “Do you trust me?”
“Huh?” What was he talking about.
“Do you trust me?” he repeated.
“I … I guess? Yes.”
“Good. I’m going in to put Hannah in bed, and I need you to stay here for a bit, until I come back out, okay?”
What was he up to? “All right.”
He opened the door and closed it behind him. A few minutes later he came out. “Okay, so I cashed in a favor from a couple of friends of mine. Now, don’t freak out, but … I kind of asked them to break into your apartment.”
“You what?” she asked, her voice raising.
“Ssshh … get mad at me later. Right now, there’s something you need to see.” He held out his hand, and she took it reluctantly. She let him lead her inside the dark apartment.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said impatiently. “What are you—” She let out a gasp as the lights came on. Only they weren’t coming from her ceiling lights.
Christmas lights illuminated the living room, strung up all over the place, over the windows and across the ceiling like a canopy. Fresh evergreen and holly bouquets dotted the various surfaces of the room, making the room smell like a forest. A wreath hung on an empty wall, as well as three stockings. And in the corner was an enormous Christmas tree, heavy with decorations and lights. The area under the tree was overflowing with wrapped gifts.
Holly was stunned, and she blinked a few times. “You … did this?”
“Like I said, I asked for a favor from a friend of mine. He owes me. Though looking at what he’s done here, I probably owe him a couple of free meals,” he said. “He, uh, got into your apartment. His wife Luna has a great artistic eye. I bet she probably set this up. I only asked him to get the tree and presents.”
“Why?”
“Well, you said you didn’t have time to prepare, and I wanted to make sure Hannah has a good Christmas morning. I kept the lights off when I brought her in, so she’ll be really surprised tomorrow.” He stared down at her, his eyebrows drawing together. “Shit, I’m sorry. I probably overstepped—”
Holly cut him off by snaking her arms around his neck and pulling him down for a kiss. She wasn’t sure what had gotten into her. Maybe it was the season. Or maybe she was just tired of fighting and building up her walls. She didn’t quite know why; all she knew was that she wanted Dante.
Dante seemed like he was caught off guard for a moment, but he quickly returned her kiss. He sipped at her lips, tasting her. His hands moved down her waist, pulling her to him. She gasped against his mouth when his erection became evident, pressing into her hip.
“Dante,” she whispered when she pulled away. “Let’s go to my room.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice low and husky.
She nodded. “Yes. But we’ll have to be … quiet.”
“Oh, I can be quiet,” he said. “But can you?”
Before she could answer, Dante swept her up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.
“I can walk,” she giggled, but laid her head on his chest anyway, breathing in his scent. It seemed to wrap around her, filling her and making her feel at ease.
“I know, but it seemed more romantic this way,” he said as he laid her down on the bed, then stood back. He stared down at her with those unusual eyes. In the low light of her bedroom, they glowed, and she gasped. But she wasn’t afraid. Not anymore.
Holly reached down to undo her boots as Dante began to unbutton his shirt, then shrugged it off. He was even sexier than she’d imagined, with those broad shoulders and olive skin. His muscles rippled and stretched under the taut skin. His body would have been the envy of any Michelangelo statue. God, was he even real? Those six-pack abs and the V of his hips looked like they’d been Photoshopped on.
“Like what you see?” he asked with a grin as he reached for the fly on his jeans. She had a witty comeback in mind, but it went out the window when he whipped his pants and underwear down in one motion. Her mouth went dry at the sight of his naked cock, hard and jutting out from between his legs. For moment, Holly wondered if this was physically possible. She wasn’t a virgin or anything, but her experience was limited and she didn’t even want to think of the last time she’d been with a man. But Dante’s … tool seemed like more than she could take.
“I guess you do like what you see,” he chuckled as he got on the bed, the mattress dipping under his weight.
“I don’t have … I mean, I’m not on the pill or anything,” she said shyly.
“Don’t worry,” he said and held up his hand, a foil packet between his fingers. “I only have one, though. But I can get more from the store later.”
More? How many times was he planning to have sex tonight?
Dante stretched out beside her, then cupped her chin as he kissed her again. God, his kisses made her boneless, and it was a good thing she was already lying down or she surely would have melted into a puddle on the floor. Dante rolled over on top of her, bracing his weight on his elbows so as not to crush her. His kissed turned urgent and his hands moved lower, slipping under her leggings to skim over her underwear. Fingers stroked her through the fabric, which was already soaked at this point. Pushing it aside, he slid his forefinger against her slit, rubbing it until she moaned into his mouth.
“Dante,” she cried, her hips pushing up off the bed as he slid one digit into her.
“You’re so wet and tight,” he whispered, thrusting his hand against her. His thumb found her clit, brushing it until she was panting. “I can’t wait. I need to taste you. I’m sorry.”
What?
The sound of fabric ripping startled her, and by the time she looked down, her leggings and underwear were scraps of fabric around her hips and legs. She’d forgotten how strong he was, and her clothes were probably like tissue paper in his hands. Not wanting to ruin her favorite sweater, she whipped it over her head, then unclasped her bra as Dante grabbed her ankles and pulled her down.
Dante spread her knees and looked up at her. “Hold on tight. And try not to scream,” he said with a grin as he dove between her legs.
Holly let out a squeak the moment Dante’s tongue touched her core. She grabbed the headboard with one hand, while she placed the other over her mouth and bit it to keep from crying out. He licked at her, teasing her until she was writhing underneath his talented mouth. He sucked on her clit, flicking the sensitive button over and over again until she was bucking into his face, riding out her orgasm. Hands slipped under her buttocks to steady her and pull her closer as he thrust his tongue right into her core.
“Dante,” she moaned against the back of her hand as her body spasmed and waves of ecstasy bobbed through her. Finally, she sank back down, panting and her chest heaving.
“I want to be inside you,” he said as he looked up at her, his eyes glowing again.
“Yes, please,” she moaned. “Dante. I need you.”
He quickly ripped open the foil packet and slipped the condom over his penis then positioned himself between her legs. Without another word, he bent his head to give her another bone-melting kiss. She felt him shift his hips and nudge her entrance with the tip of his cock.
Holly held her breath as he began to fill her. It was slow and deliberate, and she had to relax to accommodate his girth and length. Dante’s back was tense, and he seemed hesitant to move. So, she moved her hands along the taut muscles of his back, gently caressing him and urging him to continue.
He seemed to relax and began to move. She clung to him, her arms tightening around him as his slow, lazy thrusts became faster. The feel of his cock dragging along inside her passage sent tingles all the way to her toes. It had never been like this for her, not before Dante. She could feel every inch of him, but not just physically. It was like his focus was all on her.
His hands slipped under her, pulling her up as he moved deeper. Unable to keep from crying out, she buried her face into his neck, trying to muffle the sounds of her pleasured moans.
Dante grunted and continued to pummel into her. She couldn’t help herself as her body began to tremble with her orgasm, and she raked her hands down his back. He didn’t even wince. He just kept going as her body burst with pleasure. She pushed up against him, as if she couldn’t get enough contact and wanted her body to melt into his.
She felt something shift … she wasn’t sure what, but Dante grabbed her wrists and pinned them over her head with one hand. She looked up and saw his mismatched eyes had turned dark, sending a shiver through her. He let out a growl and pushed hard into her.
“You’re mine, Holly,” he roared. “All mine.”
“Yes,” she cried out as he hit the right spot. This felt so different … so wild and free. And yes, she wanted to belong to him if it meant he would worship her body like this.
He let out a throaty, whispered moan as he thrust hard into her a couple more times. It was enough to bring her to another orgasm, albeit a smaller one. His cock twitched inside her, and he gripped her tight against him, pulling her down for a rough, passionate kiss, their tongues and teeth clashing. Finally, his body relaxed and he rolled her over to her side, still clinging to each other.
Holly wasn’t sure how long they lay there, bodies pressed together. As she began to nod off, Dante kissed her forehead and moved his hips, slipping out of her. He rolled to his side, probably discreetly disposing of the condom, then moved closer to her again.
She cuddled closer to him, sighing with contentment as she moved into his arms. He pulled her close, rubbing her back in a soothing manner that had her drifting off to sleep in no time.