Unspoken Obsession (Casino King #4)

19. Frankie

FRANKIE

M y cheeks are glowing, warm from the wine.

If I have another glass after this, I am going to be revealing all of my secrets.

Dante has been relentless with his questions and while I have kept most of my secrets safe, I've said more than I would have liked to.

My mind is relaxed and fuzzy, tipsy, making me smile.

I can see Dante is also more relaxed than normal, so hopefully his wine will make him stop pushing for answers from me all the time.

There is this awkward mix of fear, and this deep attraction towards him. I'm scared I will say too much, or not enough. The confusion makes my head spin, or it might be the wine doing that.

The server has just collected our dinner plates, and we are pausing before we order dessert.

I am eyeing the salted caramel cheesecake though - but I am not sure I can fit it in. Maybe Dante will share it with me.

He is sitting opposite me, his eyes on me as he swirls the wine in his glass.

"Have you ever been to Russo River Casino - I mean, before you met me?"

I bite my lower lip, trying to remember all the times I went there. It didn't happen too often because my father hated me going to a rival's casino.

"The last time I was there was for a charity gala, a masquerade ball."

I realize what I have said only after the words have fallen from my mouth and I slam my lips shut.

I stare at him, wide-eyed, as he stares back at me. His body is rigid, tense, and frozen. His hand is gripping the edge of the table so tightly I can see his knuckles turning white.

"The masked ball." He says. "Around three years ago."

I nod, knowing what he is thinking because I have been thinking about it since I first saw him.

I open my mouth to say the words, but he says them first.

"It's you." He whispers in shock. "Little fox."

I nod. "It was me. I just - I wasn't sure if it was you - I thought - maybe - I just - I didn't want to say anything in case."

I am mumbling, tripping over my own words. Half laughing, half stammering, I know I sound like an idiot.

Dante laughs. "You do not understand how much I have thought about you over the years - and searched for you. Every time I went out, I was looking for you. Your hair is different. But you are the same. Just as beautiful, just as graceful and charismatic. I thought it could be you - but I wasn't sure. I didn't know how to be sure."

He is also speaking fast and tripping over his words. We both start laughing and he gets up, sliding into the long seat next to mine.

He wraps his arm around me and pulls me close.

"Frankie, I can't believe I had you right here with me all this time. I should have known the second I saw you because of how you made me feel -- that same intensity - I've never forgotten that night."

He presses his lips against mine and we kiss like we are kissing for the first time. There is a renewed and deepened sense of intimacy. A connection that was forged three years ago - that has been growing since we met again - and has now solidified into something else. Something special that is making my heart beat so fast I'm dizzy in his arms.

He is holding me tighter than before, his arms wrapped around me. I belong to him.

In an instant, he lifts me off the chair and he is carrying me away from the dining area to the bedroom.

He carries me inside and closes the door with his foot.

"I spent over three long years missing you, Frankie. You changed me that night. I couldn't let you go. I never moved on."

"I have spent three years missing you too, Dante. I regretted not finding out your name before I left, but it was too late. Then I had to leave—I had to—" I wanted to find him then, but it wasn't safe to stay and allow my father close enough to my son.

I can't tell him.

I can't tell him I had his baby.

I take a slow breath, trying to compose myself. This is crazy. This is happening too fast. I wasn't expecting an answer about this tonight - and now that I have one. I'm being washed away in a tide so strong I am struggling to stay afloat.

Dante's hands roam my body, and my skin tingles beneath his touch. Being with him is a thrilling mix of passion and fear. It's dangerously sexy.

The soft tender side of him disappears when he is set alight with desire. I see the dangerous glint in his eyes and the possessive streak takes over, and it turns me on. Lust and desire spark a dangerous flame between us.

He skims his fingers up my thighs, pushing my dress over my hips. I yank it over my head, toss it onto the floor, and step backward towards the bed, pulling him by his shirt so he is forced to follow me.

When I get close to the bed, I turn him around so that his back is facing the bed. Then I undress him, desperate to feel him inside me.

He groans as I pull his pants down and wrap my hand around his cock.

I want to give him something special. I want to take control before he gets carried away this time.

I sink to my knees in front of him and wrap my lips over his shaft. His groan turns into a low growl of pleasure as I slide my mouth up and down his cock, letting him fuck my mouth slowly.

I can feel the veins of his cock against my tongue. It's driving me crazy because I want him to slide it into me, craving that sensation. I lick him and suck him until his moans are too much. I can't resist my need. I stand and press my hand against his chest, pushing him to sit back on the bed.

I climb onto his lap, straddling him. I lower myself onto his cock. The way it fills me and stretches me open, makes me moan. My vocal sounds undo him, and he holds me, sliding into my pussy, pressing against me, and filling me up.

He takes hold of my hips, pressing me harder against his cock, then he rocks me back and forth on his lap.

I grip his shoulders and rock with him. He slides inside me and sends shock waves of pleasure through my body. Dante grabs my jaw and pulls my mouth against his while I ride him. His tongue dips between my lips and plays inside my mouth, teasing my senses.

I move faster, the intensity of our connection making me desperate. He lifts me slightly, holding me up so that he can thrust up into me.

He fucks me hard, slamming into me and making me cry out, not worrying about who might hear us. Profanities spill from my lips between kisses. I can't get enough of him. The man from that gala, The Shadow in the mask. The man who has haunted my thoughts and dreams for such a long time.

He grabs a handful of my hair and yanks my head backward, running his other hand over my throat. He clamps his fingers over my neck, choking me as he fucks me so hard I am struggling to hold on to him.

The pleasure and pressure are building up too much and I can't take it for another second.

I gasp and cry out, but his fingers clamp tighter over my throat as my orgasm claims me, pulsing through me, shudders of desire and need.

He goes rigid inside me as he presses harder into me, exploding and growling low and deep against my body.

We lie on the bed, tangled in each other, breathing heavily.

For a long time, neither of us says anything, but his hands are stroking over my back as I rest my head on his chest. My body is still buzzing from the pleasure of being with him. Sensitive to his touch, it is so easy for him to turn me on with just his hands or a kiss.

I know who he is now—but what does that change?

It makes my heart happier—but it doesn't give away his true intentions, or whether I can trust him with my deepest secrets.

I want to tell him. I want to share everything. But I'm afraid secrets can be used against me.

After a while, Dante sighs, lifting his face to look down at me.

"Little fox, it's getting late. What time does the train return to the station? I don't want you to be late getting home."

I shake my head, too comfortable to look up at him.

"The train will only return to the station tomorrow morning. We are having dinner and breakfast here."

"We're staying the night?" He asks in surprise.

"We are. But, I'm not ready for bed yet. I think I have worked up enough of an appetite to try that salted caramel cheesecake." I grin at him, and he shakes his head.

"I guess I can order the decadent chocolate cake, and we can share again."

"Excellent plan," I say, pushing off the bed to grab my dress. He pulls me back towards him, kissing me again.

"I knew it was you in my gut - but to be sure - I am thrilled I found you."

I smile and trace my fingers over his jaw. "Me too."

We order dessert and I boldly have another glass of wine. The entire mood of the night has shifted since we found out who we are to each other. We are far more relaxed, and he has not pushed for more answers.

I have dreamed of this night so many times. I have recreated it in my mind over the years. I was always afraid that I was reading too much into that one meeting - that he would have just forgotten me. But everything I had secretly hoped for was real.

He was thinking about me as well. He was wondering about where I had been - wishing to see me again and even looking for me in the crowds.

My heart is happy, and I am so pleased that tonight was the night that I asked Clarissa to stay with Damion until the morning.

It gives me more time with Dante - to appreciate that we found each other after all this time.

After a shared dessert, Dante grins and lifts me into his arms again.

"Well, seeing as I have you to myself all night, I think I want to make the most of it." He says, carrying me back into the bedroom and kicking the door closed behind us.

He lowers me onto the bed, lying on top of me, holding my face in his hand while he kisses me softly.

My heart is full, and I know I am falling for this man.

It's been him since the moment I met him that night.

And it was him again when our paths crossed the second time - and now - more than ever - it is him.

He has my heart, but I am still filled with fear about what my father will do. I am filled with fear about what Dante will do when he learns I have his child - safe at my home.

His kiss is tender, and pushes all my worry aside, deciding to enjoy tonight as much as I can. I want to make the most of our time together - because I have no idea what tomorrow will bring.