Chapter 69

I stared at myself in the mirror, shocked at how sėxy and seductive I looked. I'd never seen myself in clothing like this before. The material was beautiful and silky and the lacing helped show more skin than what was already being shown. 

Deep breaths. I can do this.

I silently opened the door. My heart pounding against my ċhėst. 

I tried to keep my head down but unfortunately for me, that resulted in my body bouncing into Dante's. 

Had he been standing right outside the bathroom door?

I heard his sharp intake of breath and couldn't stop myself as I peered up at him. My lips parted at the blatant need I saw deep in his eyes. 

That look would surely haunt my dreams for nights to come. 

I'd never seen anyone's eyes look so heated and intense as Dante's looked right now. 

His stare was hungry as he openly took in the sleepwear hugging onto my body. 

"Kyomi—."

I didn't wait to listen. Instead, I just kept walking as though I didn't hear him calling my name. I made sure not to stop until I reached the edge of the bed.

I quickly covered myself beneath the sheets, to hide my body from Dante's eyes. 

His gaze was always too dangerous. This time I had to keep my feelings under control, no matter what I felt for him. 

I could still feel his eyes on me, but soon enough he entered the bathroom and closed the door behind him. 

I slowly let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding. 

This was only the first day we were spending the night in the same room and already my emotions were a mess. 

How was I supposed to survive days with this man?

Maybe if I could just fall asleep before he came back out, this night would be more bearable. 

I closed my eyes but still all I could see was him. I shifted in the bed, from side to side. Nothing was helping. 

I wanted to scream against the pillows. 

Why was this happening to me?

I've always followed the rules, always done what was right. Then why did I have to suffer now? Why did I have to pay for one mistake?

I buried my head against the pillow and tried not to cry. It was then that the bathroom door opened, I could feel myself stiffen. 

Did he plan on sleeping here with me? 

I shouldn't expect anything else, this was his bed after all. 

I bit my lip as I felt the bed shift with his weight the moment he laid down. 

"Kyomi—," he whispered. "Can we talk, please."

I kept my eyes shut, maybe if he thought that I'd fallen asleep he would leave me alone. I heard him let out a deep breath besides me. 

What was he thinking?

That question flew out my mind the moment I felt his body heat next to mine.

What was he doing?

I couldn't open my eyes now, it was too late for that. I had already pretended to be asleep. 

I stifled a gasp as I felt his thumb finger slightly graze my cheeks. He then moved the hair out my face and leaned closer into me. 

I was stiff as a rock, waiting anxiously to see what he was going to do next. 

Would this be a good time to open my eyes and tell him to stop?

Yet, my traitorous body wanted him to continue. It missed the way his hands and mouth felt. I stood completely still as I felt his lips touch my forehead. 

I swore my heart accelerated more than it ever did before. 

He kept his lips there for a few seconds, the longer he stayed the faster my heart went off.

Then, he finally leaned back onto his side of the bed.

I didn't dare open my eyes again, not until I heard his light snore next to me. I opened one eye to peek at him.

Dante was completely shirtless, his toned muscular ċhėst bȧrė to me.  

I swallowed, my hands itching to touch him there. This was absurd, even while sleeping Dante still had some sort of control on me. I studied him now, he was still the most handsome man I'd ever laid eyes on. 

Why did he have to betray me like that? 

I could have still tried to make something out of my life here as long as I had him by my side. I thought after the way he had protected me from my own father that he'd always do that. 

That Dante Clarke would always be by my side, looking out for me. 

But it turned out that he was the danger. 

No one else. 

A part of me still refused to believe that he was so awful. Yet, the more rational side of me kept reminding me of what he'd done. 

I couldn't trust Dante no matter how much my heart wanted me too. 

However, I was beginning to realize that there was nothing that I could do to stop the attraction between us. All he had to do was look at me and I'll completely melt right before him. 

But, I promised myself that I would have more self control. If that meant completely ignoring him, then that's what I would do. 

Starting now.

I forced myself to turn the other direction before closing my eyes.

I will not let Dante hurt me again.

That was the last thought in my head before I fell asleep. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A deep sigh escaped my mouth as I snuggled next to the warm body next to mine. 

This felt amazing . . . Like I belonged right here. 

I gasped as a hand gripped my waist and pulled me tighter against a warm ċhėst.

Thoughts of the night before crashed into mind, reminding me of just where I was and with whom.

Oh God.