Chapter 54
A R I A N A
I walked down the hall to Dante’s office my throat felt dry. I gulped a lump seeing his name written on the door in big, gold letters.
CEO Dante Russo
I took a deep breath and knocked softly.
“Come in,” his deep voice called from inside.
I opened the door and stepped in Dante was sitting behind his huge desk, looking at some papers, he looked very serious, lost in his work and I took that time to run my stare around his dashing features.
Damn! This man ate in every outfit he puts.
He looked up and saw it was me, his whole face changed, It lit up a slight smile spread across his face.
“Ariana,” he said, his voice warm as he stood up immediately.
He walked around his desk toward me, and before I could say anything, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me It was a quick, hard kiss that left me surprised and breathless.
“Hi,” he said, smiling down at me.
“Hi,” I whispered back, my face feeling hot.
He took my hand and led me to the big, comfortable sofa in the corner of his office.
He sat down and pulled me down next to him.
“How is your first day going?” he asked, holding my hand. “Is the work too hard? Do you need help p>
I shook my head. “No, it is fine I can handle it.” I paused, thinking about the angry woman. “Who was that woman you sent to call me? Your… assistant p>
Dante nodded. “Yes, Isabella she has worked for me for a long time. Why? Is there a problem p>
I saw the concern in his eyes but I did not want to cause trouble or seem jealous or weak.
I shook my head quickly. “No No problem, I was just curious p>
He looked at me closely, like he could see I was not telling the whole truth. “Are you sure? You can tell me if something is wrong p>
I nodded again, forcing a smile. “I am sure It is nothing p>
He seemed to believe me
His eyes narrowed at me moving over my body, taking in my outfit.
“So,” he said, his voice dropping lower. “Did you come here to work… or to seduce your boss p>
My mouth fell open.
Then I laughed and playfully pushed his shoulder. “You are such a pervert p>
He caught my hand and held it. “Only for you,” he whispered, his eyes dark and intense.
Then he moved quickly, he gently pushed me back against the soft cushions of the sofa, leaning over me.
He was so close I could feel his breath on my face.
“Only for you,” he said again, right before he kissed me.
This kiss was not quick or hard It was slow and deep good this man was getting me addicted to the way he tasted and it scared that I love every part of it.
Dante’s kissed me like it eas his first time, exploring every part of my mouth, and whenever he kissed me, it makes me forget everything.
My worries, my fears, my guilt it all melted away under his touch.
For a moment I wish this was real, and not all build up on lies.
A loud knock on the office door shattered the moment.
Dante pulled away from me with an annoyed groan he rested his forehead against mine, his breathing heavy. “Ignore it,” he murmured, leaning in to kiss me again.
But the knocking came again, louder and more impatient this time.
Dante sighed, his shoulders slumping.
He gave me one last, quick kiss before standing up, running his hand through his already messy hair, looking frustrated.
I quickly sat up, my face burning as I tried to smooth down my dress and fix my hair, which felt messy from his hands.
Before Dante could even say “come in,” the door swung open.
A man walked in looking oddly familiar, but I couldn’t remember why.
Then it hit me.
This was the man I saw in the garden at the party the one who was kissing Maria.
“Antonio,” Dante said, his voice a mix of annoyance and friendship. “This is not a good time p>
The man, Antonio, just grinned. “Sorry to interrupt, my friend I was in the building and thought I would say hello.” His eyes then landed on me, sitting on the sofa.
His smile widened. “And here is our beautiful wife” he says
Dante sent him a playful glare but introduced us. “Antonio, this is my wife, Ariana. Ariana, this is Antonio Valenti my best man and biggest nuisance p>
Antonio walked over to me.
He took my hand and bowed dramatically, kissing it. “Ah, the famous Ariana I am so sorry I could not make it to your wedding It is a true pleasure to finally meet you officially p>
I blushed, pulling my hand back gently. “It is nice to meet you too p>
“You are even more beautiful up close,” Antonio said, his eyes twinkling. “No wonder my friend here is so completely hooked he can’t stop talking about you p>
My blush deepened.
I didn’t know what to say.
I saw Dante’s jaw tighten he was watching Antonio closely, his eyes narrowed.
He didn’t look happy, irritated rather.
He stepped forward, grabbing my hand, the one Antonio had just kissed, and held it tightly in his own.
He was staring at Antonio’s hand like it had done something wrong.
Antonio’s mischievous smile grew but Dante’s didn’t…I felt uncomfortable, gently pulling my hand from Dante’s grip.
“I should… I should get back to work,” I said, my voice was a little shaky. “It was nice to meet you, Antonio p>
I didn’t look at Dante.
I just hurried out of the office, closing the door behind me.
I leaned against the wall in the hallway, my heart racing.
How was I ever going to keep up with this act when Dante made it look so real and sincere?