Redemption

chapter 16

Vincenzo was the only one going through Lily's mind while she played with the lasagna on her plate. She knew he wasn't lying or playing with her. The emotions that danced in his eyes whenever he looked at her proved it. And so did the way he took care of her when they made love. The way he made her feel was something not everyone could do. But the question was did she love him? She sure liked him. A lot. But she couldn't decide whether it was only for some time or......
She sighed knowing she has to come to a conclusion very soon. Knowing that she was not getting anywhere with the situation right now, she continued devouring her lasagna.

On the other hand, Rose closed her eyes tightly for a second to lose any thoughts she had of him before opening them again. But failed yet again. It was like he had nailed himself in her mind.

She heard the door to the living room open and in came the man who had completely invaded her thoughts, followed by his brother and her father.

Her breath hitched when she saw the blood stain on his sleeve. He was hurt. That was the only thought that came to her. Slowly the three men approached her. Her eyes were so busy piercing the wound on his sleeve; she didn't even notice her father move towards her until he cleared his throat. She whipped her head towards her father's direction before throwing herself into his arms.

"Oh dad! I missed you so much!" She whispered with her eyes closed.

"I missed you too my little girl," James smiled while hugging her tight.
After pulling back Vincenzo gave a look to James that clearly stated they had much to discuss.

"I have something to work on with Vincenzo. Where is Lily?" James asked curiously.

"She's in her room," James nodded before leaving with Vincenzo to his office.

Rose swiftly turned to face Dante, who had now moved a couple of steps closer to her. They kept looking in each other's eyes for a few seconds.

"You are hurt," she managed to say. She didn't know why but seeing him hurt made her heart ache.

"Oh .. yeah it is just a small scratch," Dante gave her a comforting smile.

"Small?" Rose questioned scowling. "Nonsense!" She grabbed his hand and made her way to the kitchen counter. She knew there was a first aid box somewhere there. He followed her like a puppy all the while smiling dreamily. He leaned against the counter before watching his angel move around looking for something.

She finally came back to him with a first aid box in her hand.
"Take a seat," she tried hiding her emotions, but Dante could read her like an open book. She was worried for him and he was happy knowing her worry for him. He chose to sit on the counter he was leaning against just seconds ago. Rose pulled out cotton ball from the box and dipped it in an antiseptic solution before stepping in between his legs as she grew more nervous because of their proximity.

"Um.. can ... Can you.. take off your shirt please," Rose hesitated while Dante obliged happily and in seconds his shirt was gone. Rose let out a breath she didn't know she was holding when her eyes fell onto his chest. He was muscles everywhere. A perfectly sculpted six pack body with tattoos scattered for display. He looked like a piece of art. She wanted nothing more than to run her hands over it. She gulped before moving her eyes towards his wound.

It was deep. Very deep. It looked as if something had pierced him. Her eyes softened as she thought how much pain he might be in. As if noticing what she was thinking, Dante immediately leaned closer to whisper as his lips ghosted the shell of her ear, "It doesn't hurt," she looked at him before starting to carefully dab the cotton on the blood that still managed to seep out lightly.

She had her eyes focused only on the wound, because she knew if she looked anywhere else, she would easily be distracted. Dante saw his angel work on his wound. He couldn't help but think she might get tired of standing for so long. So he carefully snaked his arm through her waist and pulled her up to place her on his lap. A cute gasp left her plump lips at the action. She looked him in the eye.

"You'll get tired of standing," he explained in a very husky voice. She knew she was blushing hysterically at the moment. Trying to hide her face, she started working on his wound once again. The blush on her face made Dante chuckle lightly. He secretly leaned towards her hair and took a deep breath to inhale the sweet smell she carried. Her hair smelled just like vanilla and strawberries.

Once his wound was finally wrapped in the bandage, Rose tried getting off his lap but failed as his arm secured round her waist even tighter. She looked up to face him, only to see he was already deeply staring at her. She could feel the tension that had escalated within seconds. And she couldn't deal with it. He was too close, breathing down just on her neck. His hot breath made tingling sensations run down her body to her core. She didn't want to admit but she enjoyed it. He moved one of his hands to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Rose," he breathed out her name so desperately as if it was hurting him. He let his thumb massage her cheek for a bit before he licked his lips. "So soft," she closed her eyes for a second before opening them again. "You do something to me Rose! It took me one glance to fall for you. Everything I have never done, I want to do it with you. I have fallen for you. I have completely, eye popping seriously, groundbreaking passionately deliciously fallen in love with you Rose," her eyes widened at his confession and her heart skipped a beat. "I love you Rose." He gazed into her eyes with so many emotions; love being the greatest of them all. His eyes fell upon her lips that she had moistened with her lips just a second ago.

He started to lean down very slowly as Rose calculated his move. Very tenderly he caressed her lips with his own. Her eyes closed on their own accord as she sat still on his lap, her hands resting on his chest. The accumulated tension which he had caused ran from her lips towards the inside of her thighs.

He kissed her. No, he gave her his breath. That wasn't right either because he took her breath away. She inhaled him and yet he took the air from her lungs. He took her soul, except he gave her a new life. But more than this, much more than this, she finally knew what it meant to take a kiss.

Her lips molded in his perfectly as she kissed him back. It was as if they were made for each other. He poured out all his emotions in that kiss. Love, passion, desire. Everything. The sucking and nipping made her mind go haywire. Rose couldn't comprehend what was happening. Her heart was ready to fall out from her chest as her hands found their way to his hair which she clutched even tighter. Dante pulled her even closer than before. Tasting her lips was equal to being in heaven.

The kiss went on for minutes, before he finally but slowly pulled away when he knew she grew breathless. But his lips still grazed hers lightly. He looked at her with the biggest smile he could ever have. She slowly opened her eyes and let out a deep breath before looking him in the eyes. His lips were still fanning against hers.

"That was perfect," Dante mumbled against her lips. "That is a perfect first kiss a man could ask for," he declared with pride while Rose looked at him in utter shock.

"First?" She questioned.
"Yes Rose! First," he breathed before cupping her face. She looked at him lovingly . She couldn't imagine that this peace of hunk was just as inexperienced as her. And she felt delighted. Hell she felt amazing at the news for some reason. Her eyes trailed back at his lips as if wanting to taste them again. She couldn't help but feel greedy after she had the first taste. They were just so soft and inviting.

As if reading her eyes, he pulled her back and smashed his lips on hers again. This time she locked her hands in his hair and pulled him closer. One of his hands were secured around her waist while the other rested on her lower back as he pulled her even closer somehow wanting them to become one. His hands ran up and down her back while she toyed with his hair. Dante was overjoyed at her action. It was now confirmed that she wanted him as much as he wanted her, although she wouldn't admit anytime soon. But Dante would wait an eternity for her. And with that the couple lost themselves into a passionate kiss, only breaking apart after desperately needing to breath.