Chapter 6

‘It’s not hard, Olly,’ I thought, staring out the car window as the vehicle drove through the busy roads of Los Angeles.

‘Just say I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’m capable of the job of a cook because I feel my skills aren’t up to your taste and you’ll probably hate what I cook.’

I bit my bottom lips. That was over the top. Way too over the top. I didn’t need to go into that much detail.

‘I’ll just tell him I really can’t cook and I faked my way through culinary school, and—argh, what was I thinking? Faked my way through culinary school? Really?’

The chain of my purse in my hand suffered the brunt of my agitation as I fiddled with it, and I felt sorry for it.

It didn’t deserve the treatment I was giving it. The purse was fancy and brand new; just the like off-the-shoulder flora top, denim pants, and small heeled sandals I wore.

True to his words, the staff of Mira Donna had appeared at the door one hour after breakfast, and I swear they brought the whole store.

There were so many clothes and shoes and accessories that I was overwhelmed. Like, where was I supposed to begin when one shirt probably cost more than me and my children feeding for a month? I was almost afraid to touch the clothes so I wouldn’t accidentally stain or rip any of them.

My sons reacted in the complete opposite way. Michael and Nathan were ecstatic and tried everything their grubby hands could get hold of. Even Leon was pumped up, though not as much as his brothers, but he was still excited.

I was like a fish out of water.

The girls from the store were like any good employee—proper and polite—and helped me pick clothes that suit me and my sons.

But I saw the look in their eyes; envy and jealousy gleamed in them.

Their stiff body language and the forced niceness in the way they talked didn’t escape me. They thought I was lucky.

From a nobody to the baby mama of the most desirable bachelor in L.A. And the best of all was moving in with him. The cards were set on the table and if I played it well, I could end up between his legs and with his wallets in my hands.

They would kill to be in my shoes.

And I never wanted the darn shoes in the first place.

Though I don’t regret the night I spent with him because, despite the inconveniences, it gave me the best gifts I could ever ask for.

I never wanted to see him again. Heck, I didn’t want to return to L.A but had to because I needed money and Alice found me a job.

But life never fricken happened the way we wanted, and now I’m stuck with a man who thinks I’m a whore and intimidates the sheep out of me.

I wanted to scream and bang my head on the glass window.

“For heaven’s sake, stop fidgeting, I’m not going to jump on you.” Dante gave an irritated growl, and I looked at him. His hard and cold glare made me flinch, and I turned away. My grip tightened on my purse, and I cursed myself. I hated how puny he made me feel.

Slender fingers held my jaw as I lifted my head. We were face-to-face, and I tried not to get lost in his eyes. He shifted his body, and his leg was pressed against mine.

Why must he always find a way to put us in a compromising position? Why?

It wasn’t yet up to 24 hours, and he has touched me and held me against him three times. Was this going to be a regular thing? I hoped not, because I was one nerve away from punching his pretty face.

“Damn it. You’re as skittish as a cornered mouse. It’s little wonder why Leon says you’re afraid of me.” Dante said in a low tone.

Was he still salty about Leon?

I needed to do something. I didn’t want it to seem like I was trying to turn his son against him.

“I-I’m sorry for Leon’s behaviour. It’s all my fault because he misread my emotions. I’ll talk to him about it and tell him you didn’t do anything wrong. He’s really a sweet boy once you get to know him, and I’m–“

His warm finger was pressed against my lips, shutting me up and tainting my cheeks with pink.

“I’m not angry with you or Leon. I had considered the high possibility of all three being apprehensive since I was a stranger walking into their lives and claiming I was their father. Michael’s and Nathan’s welcoming attitude was an unexpected surprise and gives me more hope for Leon. I’m willing to be patient and take baby steps with him to gain his trust.”

Light feelings danced in me at his confession. Never in a million years would I have believed that the Dante Romero would have such a soft spot underneath his cagey personality.

His finger trailed to my bottom lip and stroked the pink flesh. Tiny specks of sparks danced against my skin even after he pulled it away.

“And you know, I can’t connect with him if he still senses his Mama is afraid of me.”

“How many times must I say that I’m not afraid of you.”

“Really? Even after our meeting last night?”

“Please, why should I? I’m not guilty of anything you’re accusing me of, so why should I be worried?” I rolled my eyes. “The only time I felt afraid was when you threatened to take my kids from me.”

“So why do you act all squirmy and jumpy around me?”

I diverted my eyes at the question. I wasn’t really sure how I was going to piece the right words together to give a simple answer.

“Go on. I’m listening.” His thumb caressed my cheek.

“Um… well… three reasons. One, you’re intimidating. Not just because you’re literally a giant compared to me, but because everything about you screams ‘masculinity,’ ‘confidence’, ‘back off’ and stay out of my way or I’ll crush you.”

“That’s good to know.” He smirked.

The cocky idiot.

“Two, because of what you’re doing right now. I mean, you’re intruding into my personal space. Three out of the five times we’ve been in the same room, you’ve always found a reason to touch me inappropriately.”

Dante’s tempting lips curled into a large, seductive grin. He placed his hand on my waist and drew me close to him. I pushed my palms against his chest, trying in vain to put a gap between our bodies.

My heart rate went up to an unhealthy level.

“Aren’t you such an innocent little lady?” Dante brought his mouth to my ear and whispered in a low, sultry voice. His finger brushed my chestnut hair away from my neck.

“If that is your own version of inappropriate, I wondered how you’d react to mine.” He chuckled and something squishy and wet ran down the curve of my neck.

Was that...

Was that…

That was his tongue?!

Blood rushed to my cheeks, and my entire face burned bright red.