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looked down at him, afraid of what he d see in their green depths. He didn t think he
could take any more rejection.
Daniel frowned when Dante caressed his cheek and pressed his lips against his
hair. Dante didn t act like a man who'd been glad to see the last of him.
Dante
I love you, Daniel.
What? Daniel tried to pull away. How dare Dante play with his emotions like
this? He felt as if someone had punched him in the gut. Devastated, he turned his head
to hide his tears.
Please, poppet, Dante whispered. I m not lying. I love you.
Daniel stopped struggling and finally met Dante's eyes. Then why ?
Dante closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, Daniel could see the
man's misery clearly reflected there. Dante s brows drew together. He opened and
closed his mouth several times as if struggling to find the right words.
Daniel, you were drinking, Dante finally said. I thought you were . . . .
You thought I was drunk?
Dante nodded. As much as I wanted to take you to our bedroom, I couldn't
when I knew you d been drinking. I needed to be sure you really wanted what you
said, that you weren't saying those things just because you were drunk.
And if I hadn t been drinking? Daniel whispered.
Dante's face flushed. Your ass would be rosy red right now.
Daniel felt a surprising tingle all the way down to his toes. You say the nicest
things, Dante.
Dante cupped the side of Daniel s face and bent to kiss him. Daniel leaned into
Dante s hand, his heart racing.
Did you mean what you said, Daniel? Dante whispered. Do you really want
me to discipline you? To make love to you?
Did you mean what you said? Daniel countered. Do you really love me?
Yes, I most assuredly do.
Then I meant it. Daniel frowned. He fingered the buttons on Dante s shirt. I m
not sure how far I can go but I d like to find out. Maybe we could work up to the bigger
stuff?
I d like nothing better. Dante stroked the curve of Daniel s cheek. I promise
we ll go as slow as you need to."
Can we go home?
Yes, poppet, but first we need to stop by the pawn shop and get your
grandmother s ring back.
How d you ?
How did I know you pawned your grandmother s ring? Dante asked. When
Jack called me and said he spotted you at the bus station I knew you pawned the ring to
buy a bus ticket.
Oh.
We also need to thank Jack for calling me. Dante looked past Daniel to where
the police officer stood with Joey and Logan. I think Jack is going to fit into our little
family just fine.
Is he gay?
Dante laughed. I have no idea.
Chapter Nine
Dante felt like he had butterflies in his stomach as he walked back into the flat
with Daniel. His nerves were frayed. His whole world walked out the door when
Daniel left. He needed to find a way to keep it from walking out again.
Daniel, can I talk to you for a moment?
Daniel stopped on his way to the bedroom and turned. He looked worried, his
eyebrows drawn together, the corner of his lips lowered in a frown.
"Come here," Dante said, gesturing for Daniel to join him. It s nothing bad,
poppet. I just need to talk to you.
Daniel took a few hesitant steps then sped across the room into Dante s waiting
arms. Dante took a moment to hug Daniel to him, savoring the feel of the smaller man
in his arms, before he gently released him and led him into the living room. Dante took
a seat on the couch and pulled Daniel down onto his lap.
I need you to do something for me, Daniel."
Anything.
Dante smiled at Daniel s instant response. Thank you, Daniel, but you need to
hear what I want before you agree to it.
No I don t, Daniel said quickly. You would never hurt me or make me do
anything I didn t want to do.
Dante felt tears prickle the corner of his eyes at Daniel s words. He never thought
they would be this far into Daniel s healing this fast. He d be lying if he said he didn t
think it was a miracle and one for which he d always be grateful.
Thank you, poppet, it means a lot to me that you trust me. Dante leaned over
and kissed the side of Daniel s head. I guess that kind of goes into what I need from
you. We re going to have issues, Daniel; any two people who live in the same space
will. You can't run off every time we have a problem. That won t solve anything.
Daniel bowed his head. He seemed to be staring at his fingers as he twisted them
together. I m sorry. I know I shouldn t have left. I just couldn t think of anything else
to do. I didn t think you you wanted me anymore.
I ll always want you, Daniel.
You can t promise that, Daniel insisted.
Yes, I can. Dante chuckled. I knew from the moment you said your first curse
word that you were the man for me. I ve never met anyone like you. You have just the
right amount of submissiveness and spitfire mixed together to make you perfect in my
eyes.
Daniel tilted his head back. My first curse word? Seriously?
Daniel, I like having a submissive. You know that. But I don t want a rug. I
want someone who will make me work for what I want, someone who occasionally
talks back to me. I want someone I can have a decent discussion with outside of a
scene. Dante brushed the hair back from Daniel s eyes and smiled at him. I want
you.
Okay. Daniel s pale green eyes twinkled. The corner of his eyes crinkled as he
smiled. Dante s heart rate increased as Daniel s hand trailed down his collarbone to the
opening of his shirt. Green, Dante.
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