Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
He was always reminded of when others could attack. Sleep wasn’t a guarantee, and he was always on guard. In his dreams, he didn’t succeed, and his mother ended up dead, as did his father. Dante never shared these dreams with anyone.
“Talk to me,” Dante said.
“I, uh, have nothing to say,” Aria said, going a bright shade of red that was so freaking cute.
“You have nothing to say?” he asked.
“No, not a single thing.” She now avoided eye contact with him.
Dante found it cute.
She had a lot to say but the truth was, she didn’t know how to start.
“How was your first orgasm?” he asked, to which Aria nearly spat out the mouthful of juice she’d been drinking.
He had come to notice she didn’t eat a lot of food in the morning. Often just a bowl of cereal and a glass of juice. Dante didn’t care much for breakfast, but he had opted for eggs and toast this very morning.
Aria glanced around the room.
“No one is here and even if they were, they’re paid to be silent.”
“Do you really think that works?” Aria asked.
“Yes, I do. I call it loyalty. My soldiers know what is expected of them. Stop avoiding the question.”
“You’re saying these things to embarrass me.”
“No, I’m just curious. Look at me.” She lifted her head. “Did you enjoy it?”
She nodded her head.
“Good,” he said.
“Is it … I mean, is it always like that for a woman?” she asked.
“No, as you know now, it doesn’t always have to be like that. A woman can reach different levels of pleasure throughout sex.”
“Wait, sex can be enjoyable?”
“You do realize that your questions could affect my ego?” Dante asked.
“I think your ego is going to stay intact.” She tucked some hair behind her ear. “Are you leaving today?”
“Eager to get rid of me?”
She rolled her eyes. “Strangely enough, no, I’m not in a rush to force you out of your own home.”
“My home is your home.”
She nodded but didn’t question it. He had a feeling she didn’t believe him.
“As it happens, I was thinking of taking you with me,” Dante said.
“Where?” Aria asked.
“Don’t look so terrified. I’m not going to kill you.” He tutted. “You’ve stayed here for so long. I was thinking we go out. I take you to the city. We go shopping.”
“Shopping? Dante Gallo likes to shop?”
“No, I fucking hate it, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t do it for my wife.”
“Ah, so this is all about appearances?” Aria asked. “We know gossip and rumor travels fast.”
“True,” he said, but that hadn’t been the reason he wanted to take her shopping. She didn’t have anything.
He wanted to treat her. Aria had surprised him and he wanted to reward her for it.
They also had an agreement and the best way to get themselves accustomed to each other, was to spend time together.
“I like your thinking. I’m not much of a shopper,” she said.
“Still, I’m sure there are a few things you need.”
In the meantime, while they were in the city, he’d already instructed the maids to move her stuff into his bedroom.
Dante intended to take this new plan very seriously.
Chapter Six
Aria had never been one for city life. The hustle and bustle of the crowds, the constant challenge of not getting pushed and shoved, didn’t appeal to her. It was rare for her father to offer a shopping trip. Usually, her mother brought her back clothes or whatever she needed. If not on those shopping trips, she got gifts at Christmas and birthdays.
Dante drove them out to the city, where he’d first taken her to his penthouse suite apartment.
It was exactly how she imagined Dante’s penthouse to be. Lots of white and black furniture. Everything seeming to be crisp and clean. Nothing out of place, and yet, almost sterile as well.
He didn’t have a spare bedroom, so he’d already dropped the bombshell they would be sharing a room. This was news to her. Aria hadn’t shared a room with anyone, not even her sister, growing up. She always had her own room.
Not long after he told her of their new sleeping arrangements, he led them out onto the street. Multiple guards surrounded them, and she liked it. No one was able to get close to push them around. Dante grabbed her arm and placed it through his. At first, she couldn’t help but tense up at this new contact, but then she began to calm down.
They were a married couple, and had been for eight months. The only difference was they were going to act like it, which was cool. She hoped it worked for them, and they were invited to a party or something—one where her father would be present.
She couldn’t help but glance around and wonder if people were watching them. She expected someone to be staring, whispering, knowing exactly what they were trying to do, but when she did look up, no one was paying them any attention.