Chapter 72: Earn My Trust
Gianna’s POV
The musky scent of woods and smoke crept into my nose, tugging me out of the sweetest dream I’d had in weeks.
In it, Dante was chasing me through the garden……. not as the cold, infuriating man who always had the upper hand, but as someone…… free.
He caught me against a tree, laughter spilling from both of us as he kissed me like a man drunk on love. There was no control, no dominance, just us. 1
Two lovebirds.
Kissing passionately against a tree, my hands tangled in his hair as I whispered, I love you.
It was in that moment, the moment before his lips claimed mine again, that his scent dragged me back to reality.
My eyes shot open…… and there he was.
Dante DeLuca.
His icy grey eyes locked on me, that smug grin spreading across his annoyingly perfect face. One hand brushed a few strands of hair from my cheek, his touch slow and deliberate.
“Dreaming of me again…… are you?” His voice was low, teasing, maddeningly calm.
I jolted, blinking fast, pulling back as if I’d been caught committing a crime.
“I…… wasn’t,” I stammered, heat creeping up my neck.
He tilted his head, grin widening. “Oh? Could’ve sworn I heard you say……” he leaned closer, his lips brushing my ear, “I love you, Dante DeLuca.”
My throat went dry. “You must’ve heard wrong,” I shot back, crossing my arms, pretending not to notice how close his face still was.
“Oh, my hearing’s never wrong.”
He chuckled, a deep rumble that somehow sent shivers through me. I looked away quickly, trying to hide the heat crawling up my neck, but he wasn’t having it. His fingers slid under my chin, tilting my face back toward him, forcing me to meet those icy grey eyes.
“About last night……” he began, voice low and deliberate. ” wanted to tell you……”
I shoved his hand away. I didn’t need him touching me, not when the memory of last night was still so raw, still burning in my mind.
How he’d caught me naked, legs spread apart, touching myself like a desperate fool. How I’d let my guard down, whispering his name, begging him to make me come, only for him to pull away, his rejection cutting deeper than I’d ever admit.
The shame and humiliation washed over me, but I refused let him see it.
I lifted my chin and met his eyes.
“If you’re here to gloat about last night,” I forced the words out before my voice could waver, “I’ll have you know I’m not ashamed anymore. Not one bit.”
His lips curved, that infuriating, knowing smirk.
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Chapter 12 Fam My Trust
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“What’s so funny?” I demanded, glaring up at him.
He leaned closer, voice smooth and taunting. “Watching you get so defensive and heated up without even letting me finish.”
I rolled my eyes, masking the sting beneath my sarcasm. “Oh, we both know you were about to brag about how I begged you to make me come.”
His grin deepened. “You have no idea what I was or wasn’t oing to say.”
“Then prove me wrong,” I challenged, arching a brow.
He looked like he was about to say something, his mouth parted, but then he stopped himself. His jaw tightened, and the words that finally came out were clipped.
“It’s too late…… believe whatever you want.”
Before I could respond, he rose from the bed, the sheets rustling as he moved. His movements oozed control and power. He wasn’t dressed in his usual black or navy. Instead, he wore a grey shirt tucked neatly into tailored charcoal pants, the top two buttons undone, revealing a hint of tanned skin and the faintest trace of cologne……. smoky, masculine, maddening.
For once, he didn’t look like the dangerous mafia boss who had kidnapped me. He looked……. almost normal. Like a man about to step into a boardroom instead of a bloodbath.
“I’ll be gone for a few days,” he adjusted his cufflinks, his gaze fixed somewhere beyond me, as if I wasn’t worth the effort of looking at. 1
I tilted my head, crossing my arms, letting sarcasm drip like honey. “Oh really? Off to do what you mafia men do? Maybe break someone’s arm? Or wait…… bury a few bodies?
His head turned instantly, his face hardening, every tenderness vanished.
Okay, maybe that last part was a little much.
“I…… was kidding,” I forced a nervous laugh. “You don’t have to look at me like you’re mentally planning my funeral. Lighten up a little.”
He let out a deep breath. “Hmm.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “You really do think the worst of me, don’t you?”
For a moment, I saw real emotion etched across his feature, vulnerable in a way I’d never seen before. It threw me off guard completely.
“I…… I don’t know what else to think,” I admitted, my tone softer now. “You haven’t exactly shown me any other side.”
He broke eye contact, looking away, his jaw tightening again until the moment disappeared, like it had never been there at all.
“This is the only side to me,” his voice turned cold again. “Don’t waste your time trying to find another.”
For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then he added, “I won‘ be gone long. A couple of days at most. It’s……. a personal visit.”
“Personal visit?” I echoed, trying not to sound too curious. My tongue nearly slipped….. are you going to see your family? But Mira’s warning echoed in my head. If he really was going to see them, this was good for me. I could use the time wisely.
His gaze shifted to mine, suspicious.
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Chapter 72 fm My Trust
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“I mean,” I rushed to explain, “so I can be prepared for your return.”
That earned me a low chuckle. “All you need to know is that I’ll be back soon.”
I hummed, pretending to accept that. “Fine,” I said lightly. But before you leave, I have one tiny request…..”
His brows arched. “What do you want, Gianna?”
I clasped my hands together, feigning innocence. “Permission to go to the gardens with Mira. I’ll behave, I swear. You can even assign a guard to follow us, preferably one who doesn’t glare like he’s plotting my funeral.”
He studied me for a long moment, his dark eyes narrowing slightly, then finally said, “Only if you promise to behave.”
I put on my most dramatic face and raised both hands in mock surrender. “I promise to be on my absolute best behavior. You won’t hear a single complaint about me.” I pressed my palms together like I was praying. “Please.”
He chuckled, the sound deep and unguarded. “Cute…… but m not falling for it.”
I drew closer, my voice dropping to a soft, breathy plea. “Dante…… please.”
He shook his head, a faint sigh escaping him.
“Fine,” he said at last. “I’ll tell Alfonso to let you and Mira have your little picnic……. unsupervised.”
Then his tone grew more serious.
“I’m choosing to trust you, Gianna. Don’t make me regret i
My grin widened, and I nodded eagerly.
”
He continued, “Earn that trust, and maybe next time you can make more requests. If they’re reasonable, I’ll consider them.”
“Deal.” I stretched out my hand, smiling up at him.
He scoffed under his breath but took my hand anyway. And before he could pull back, I used the moment to tug him closer, slipping my arms around him in a firm hug.
It was supposed to be a teasing, seductive show of gratitude. But the warmth of his body pressed against mine, the faint scent of cedar and spice clinging to his shirt…… it didn’t feel like pretending anymore,
When we finally pulled apart, his gaze locked on mine. Electricity sparked in the space between us. Before I could think, my eyes fell to his lips, full, damp, impossibly close.
I leaned in and kissed him. My lips brushed his lower one softly, testing, tasting. His body went still, tense with surprise……. then he claimed my lips passionately.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
