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)
The woman who flirted with Dante seemed to have disappeared, and now was a woman of focus.
“I brought all different kinds of outfits. Is there anything you’re looking for?”
Aria glanced down at the woman’s name tag, to see she was called Chloe.
“I have no idea. This shopping spree is kind of a surprise.”
“Well, well, well, your husband is a keeper, Mrs. Gallo. You do not let a man go who is interested in spending money on clothes and even helping you.”
“Uh, what size did you get?” Aria asked, looking at the pair of slacks the woman had brought.
Chloe didn’t say it aloud, but showed her the size. “I didn’t want to appear rude by asking you, and I took a guess.”
“It’s right,” Aria said and smiled.
This was nice not to have any kind of judgment.
Changing into a pair of slacks and a sleeveless blouse, Aria looked at herself and then stepped out.
Dante stared up and down at her, and then shook his head. “Next.”
Not a great start, and for the next three hours, Aria was pretty sure she fell out of love with shopping. Not that she was ever in love with it. Dante was strict.
She happened to notice most of the dresses were keepers. The slacks and trousers he instantly dismissed. Then the skirts were accepted, along with certain tops, which again had to all be fitted at the bust. By the end of those three hours, she had enough, and was starving.
When Aria thought they were finally going to be leaving, he then sprung another little surprise.
“Chloe, we’ve got a social event tomorrow night. Would you please find an evening gown for my wife?” Dante said.
Aria looked toward Dante as Chloe made her agreement and then left.
“What?” Aria asked.
Dante held up his cell phone, but it wasn’t like she could read the message. “Just came through. My father expects us to attend. It’s another engagement party.”
“When is it not an engagement party?” Aria asked. “Don’t you think this is a little soon? Tomorrow night?”
“Aria, you will be more than ready for tomorrow night. You have nothing to fear.”
****
If Aria kept squeezing her nails into her palms, there would be nothing left of her. Dante reached down and took hold of her hand. She turned toward him.
“Why are you so nervous?”
“This is all well and good, but … don’t you think this is a little … I don’t know … soon?”
She’d been nervous since he told her about the party yesterday. He understood her nerves, and other than a brief business meeting with his father, he’d not left her side.
Dante didn’t intend to cause a public stir when they entered this event. Every other time since they’d been married, he entered with Aria at his side. The only difference was, tonight, when they entered, he was going to be holding her, and she wouldn’t leave his side.
“Aria, we’ve been married eight months and have attended many different gatherings.”
“Yeah, but tonight you’ve told me not to leave your side. On other occasions, you’ve advised I stay out of your way.”
He’d been horrible to her.
Dante had made it clear from the very beginning that he didn’t want to be married to her. She had followed his directions completely, giving him the space he required, but now he wanted to be close.
Their car pulled up outside of one of the capos’ houses. It had been an hour’s journey from their penthouse suite. Dante didn’t want to go to any social function, especially not one that had been sprung on him with such short notice.
He preferred to be prepared, to know every single aspect of every venue. This was a capo’s home, so there wasn’t as much to fear, but if they had been lax in their security, it would put them all at risk.
The car came to a stop and he kept hold of Aria’s hand. He helped her out of the car and then banded an arm around her waist.
“We can do this, right?”
He found her honesty refreshing.
Dante couldn’t help but wonder if she realized her brutal honesty and growing spine was what … intrigued him about her in the first place. He didn’t want a simpering fool. He wanted a woman by his side. Not someone who would agree with him about everything. No, he wanted to have a challenge, and Aria provided that.
After hearing what she’d told her sister about hating sex, he was encouraged to try harder.
Last night, Aria had been nervous. Even though he’d spent the last eight months telling her to stay on her knees as he fucked her from behind, not once had they shared a bed. Not even on their wedding night. He’d been a cruel bastard.
Dante hadn’t cared until now.
He had to be cruel to survive this life. They had too many enemies waiting for the right moment to exploit, and he wouldn’t allow that to happen.