Page 21 of Beneath the Dawn

“Yes, I just need to grab your gift.”

He lifted a confused brow. “My gift?”

She smiled. “Yes. You recall what I said the other night about Nana’s rule? That if we’re ever invited somewhere, we should never arrive empty-handed.”

“You’re not arriving at my place, I’m arriving at yours,” he said, grinning. “Besides, I thought that was just for dinner purposes.”

She tilted her head, returning his grin. “The question of which one of us is arriving is merely semantics. As far as dinner goes… You are feeding me, right?” she asked.

“Oh yeah.”

“Then come on in while I get your gift.”

***

Dante watched Marti rush off toward the kitchen and appreciated the space to pull himself together. He definitely needed to stabilize his senses. He’d been thrown off balance when she had opened the door, and he had seen her standing there, looking good enough to eat.

Suddenly overwhelmed with desire for her, he’d been within two seconds of pulling her into his arms…when he noticed that she seemed as turned on as he was. The way she had let her gaze caress his body, sliding from the top of his head to the soles of his feet, had made him realize he wasn’t alone in this. To know that the woman you wanted, hungered for you just as badly, was an absolute rush.

He loved the dress she was wearing, but damn, it was short. How was he supposed to keep his eyes off her gorgeous legs? And the shoulder straps showed off her toned arms, while the bodice of her outfit complemented the shape of her breasts.

He’d seen her wearing less on the beach, but this was the first time he had seen her in a dress. It made her appear even more feminine…and more seductive. He was doomed.

And he wasn’t the only one who had done something different to their hair. Hers was parted down the center with a chunky braid framing both sides of her face, emphasizing her beautiful features.

“I’m back.”

She returned carrying a bottle of wine. “I stopped by a wine store when I was in Portland. They told me that this is one of Sicily’s best,” she said, presenting it to him.

He took it and glanced at the label. “Nero d’Avola.” He looked back at her, smiled, and said, “Yes, it is. Thank you, Marti.”

“You’re welcome. Now I’m ready to go.”

He placed the bottle of wine on the foyer table and then drew her into his arms. “I’m not. I want to properly thank you for my gift first.”

If that was the excuse he needed to use to taste her, then he’d use it, because he couldn’t wait a minute longer. He lowered his head and, like before, their mouths connected greedily, hungrily, barely in control.

When she wrapped her arms around his neck, he knew that she was all in with this kiss, just as he was. He didn’t understand what it was about Marti’s taste that was so addictive. Or why she felt so good in his arms. It was as if she actually belonged there.

He suddenly broke off the kiss, not believing his mind could conjure up such a thought. No woman belonged in his arms, no matter how good she felt there.

“Dante, are you okay?”

He saw the confusion in Marti’s eyes as she unwrapped her arms from around his neck. She had to be wondering why he had broken off the kiss so abruptly. Reaching up, he gently touched her cheek with the pad of his thumb.

“I’m fine. But I think it’s best if we get out of here before we get into something else.”

“Would that be such a bad thing?” she asked in a sultry voice.

Was she trying to tempt him? If so, he couldn’t let her. Not now, when he wanted her so badly. What he needed to do was refocus and get back on track, something he hadn’t been able to do since she had opened her door.

Taking hold of her hand, he said, “Yes, it would be a bad thing. You wouldn’t get the chance to see everything I’ve done to prepare for our beach date night. Come on, take a look and tell me what you think.”

A few moments later, with one hand holding the bottle of wine and the other holding firmly to Marti’s hand, he led her toward the beach.

CHAPTER 8

Marti could not believe what she was seeing. When Dante had said he’d prepared for their beach date night, he hadn’t been kidding. The area looked totally awesome. He had built firepits in a circle, surrounding a couple of nice adjustable loungers made of beautiful fabric with footrests and matching side tables.