My skin was on fire as he turned me, his knee coming between my legs as he looked down at me, Dante’s dark eyes stuck on mine. We had known of each other for only about twelve hours but both of us could feel the connection.

It was more than just the marriage contract. It was this heat between us, this pull to each other.

It was looking your downfall in the eyes and giving in to defeat.

Except I never went down without a fight.

“Look on the printer, Dante.” His eyes drifted for a half a second before they were back on mine, “Trust me.”

I doubted that he gave his trust easily but I wanted to see if he would do what I asked.

And as if he was trying to prove a point he pulled away from me, heading over to the printer, as I tried to remember how to breathe again not that he had given me some room.

How could the presence of this man, who was more stranger than friend, knock me so off kilter?

I was already sliding out of the room, setting my things up in the living room. Dante followed me as he texted on his phone, most likely about what I had printed for him. I was thankful he wasn’t looking at me because the way he looked in those briefs with his eyes on me would be too much.

Why did he have to be good looking?

“It’s 2AM. C’mon to bed.”

He didn’t say thank you for getting his permits. Didn’t ask how I had done everything or why.

As soon as I had seen Dante, I knew he was connected, a made man. Since I didn’t have time to call my father and make sure he was okay to work with, I had taken the risk off my back and had made sure my boss had signed everything in her name. I didn’t need corruption charges coming back to bite me in the ass so I was always careful when I signed my name. My signature could make and break a lot of things and I tried not to throw it around.

Apparently a marriage contract was fine to sign though.

My boss signing things made it a lot easier for tomorrow night when I would be expected to be on Dante’s arm, most likely announcing our engagement with his club opening.

If I had signed the permits and someone was doing their due diligence it wouldn’t look great. But if I passed the baton to someone else it wasn’t my issue.

“I’m sleeping on the couch. Just wake me up in-”

Dante stopped, looking at me as if I was insane for saying something like that. He held out a hand for me, not even speaking as he beckoned me closer to him but I didn’t move from where I was.

I had never spent the night with a man. And he only had one bed. What did he expect of me?

“I won’t touch you unless you touch me. Your virtue is safe with me, princess.” Dante said, half exasperated as I stood there, taking too long to make my decision.

He motioned for me again and this time I stepped forward, taking his hand as he moved us into the bedroom.

Despite having been in there already when I showered, it felt different now. Maybe it was the way Dante moved over, pulling the covers down as he motioned me in the bed.

“There’s water on the nightstand. Do you need anything, princess?” He asked, watching as I pulled my hoodie around my body, rolling on my side and ignoring him.

My feet kicked off the covers he had tucked me in with. I didn’t want any part of him touching me. His scent was already intoxicating in the space and I was so overwhelmed with a thousand emotions running through me.

The sooner I fell asleep the sooner I could go home.

Dante slid into bed across from me, his eyes on me as he looked at me with that deep serious expression glittering dangerously in his eyes, like he could read my thoughts as he stared at me. I cringed, closing my eyes as I heard him chuckle.

“Goodnight princess.”

He was rolling over, my eyes opening as I felt him stretch a hand out to rest above my head so I could always be within his grasp. He was on his back, eyes closed and looking so different from the man that played hard ass during the day.

My eyes watered as I looked at my hand, the shiny diamond that was on there didn’t look out of place and that terrified me.

Moments like this I wished I could call my mom.

What I wouldn’t give to just talk to her and dump all my trauma on her. She would make me a cup of chamomile tea with her fresh pizzelles for me to dip in it.

I squeezed my eyes as tears leaked out and I willed myself not to cry again.

Missing my mother never seemed to get easier. If anything as the time passed and milestones started to be missed her absence felt greater and greater.

“Principessa?”

His voice was so soft and I whimpered, a hand reaching out as I touched his stomach, needing comfort and only having him here with me to give it.

I wanted my friends.

They knew me. They knew how to make me feel better. Now I was in a strangers bed feeling lost and alone as my life shifted.

Dante’s hand slid between my legs, my hand sliding over his shoulders as he pulled me on top of him with a soft tug. Our thighs locked around each other as his hands slide up my legs under my sweatshirt to rub my back as he presses me against him.

My face buried into his neck as shivered sobs break out from me and Dante wraps his other arm around me, squeezing me against his body as I let out another sob.

“I have you, principessa.” He whispered as I cried harder, holding onto Dante like I was going to drown in my sadness.

Overwhelmed by everything.

“Today was a lot. And I…I just miss my mom.” I whisper between sniffles.

Dante’s large palms ran over my back, comforting circles as I trembled against him. My heart aches as I was held tight to him. My mother gave the best hugs in the world but Dante holding me…it was nice.

“We can visit her tomorrow. I’d like to pay my respects and bring her flowers. Thank her. And you could have time with her. I’ll wait in the car if you feel better.”

My heart flew to my throat, pushing up as I looked down at Dante. The serious look on his face as he suggested going together to visit my mother’s grave together. He hadn’t asked me to tell him what I would say to her, didn’t suggest he try to fill a hole that I didn’t think could ever be filled.

No.

He left me the space to grieve and offered his own space to be there while I did so.

His hand slipped from my shoulders, pushing a few strands of my hair behind my ear and wiping at the tears that wet my face. His touch was gentle, his presence calming me by just being there.

“Are we really going to get married, Dante?” I asked as he let his lips tug up as if I had just told him a joke.

Things could change so easily with the family that it wasn’t a crazy question to ask.