Read Online Dante's Marriage Pact by Day Leclaire - Free Book Online

Dantes.”
    She avoided his gaze. “A little premature to celebrate an alliance, don’t you think?” she asked. “There’s a lot of work to accomplish before a lease is signed.”
    He meant them and their relationship, not the lease, though there didn’t seem any point in explaining that fact. Instead, he schooled himself to patience. She didn’t understand about The Inferno and what was happening between them. Not yet. Until she did, until she accepted, he needed to take it slow.
    â€œWe can fight the past, or accept it and move on.” Coming from him, that particular philosophy was almost funny, since he’d spent ten endless years fighting to right a single long-ago wrong. “What happens in the future is up to you. To us.”
    She released her breath in a drawn-out sigh. “You’re right.” She turned with a smile, though it didn’t contain her usual cheerfulness. He could still see regret lurking around the edges. “Where and when do you want to meet?”
    â€œI’ll pick you up at the Mark.”
    She shook her head. “I’d rather meet you at the restaurant.” Her expression turned provocative. “But if you promise not to behave yourself, I’ll let you take me home.”
    His eyebrows winged upward. “ Not to behave myself?”
    She simply looked at him and waited.
    Hell, he could do that. He was an expert at not behaving. “Done,” he agreed. He didn’t get it then. He should have. But he was so desperate to have her again, the little cues went right over his head. “There’s a terrific seafood place in North Beach. Do you know where North Beach is?”
    â€œBetween Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown,” she answered promptly.
    â€œI’m impressed.”
    She shrugged it off. “Don’t be. I did some exploring before the reception. It’s a wonder I could squeeze my poor abused feet into those heels considering how much walking I did.”
    â€œWell, I’m glad you managed, since I had such fun taking them off. In fact, I had fun taking off all of your bits and pieces.” He couldn’t resist touching her again. Kissing her. Gathering her into his arms, where she belonged. She didn’t resist, but snuggled in, returning his kiss as though they’d been parted for months, instead of hours. “Meet me at Cocina at eight,” he said, when they finally came up for air.
    â€œDraco…”
    Somehow her hair had come loose again and he filled his hands with it, allowing it to trickle through his fingers. “Stay,” he murmured against her mouth.
    â€œI wish…” She broke off and pulled free of his embrace. Putting some distance between them, she shook her head. “I can’t.”
    He caught an odd emotion rippling across her expression. “Shayla?” Something wasn’t right, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. “What is it, sweetheart?”
    She gathered herself with a visible effort. “I’m sorry. I really have to go.”
    If only he’d pushed a little harder. If only he’d been paying closer attention. But he hadn’t. Didn’t. And so the moment passed. “I understand.” He checked his watch. “Hell, it’s hours before I’ll see you again. Are you sure you don’t want to meet up sooner?”
    â€œYes.” She closed her eyes with a soft exclamation. “I’d love to, but I can’t. Draco, you have to let me go. I’ll see you at eight.”
    She darted forward and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, kissed him with a desperate passion. Clung like she’d never let him go. Sighed like a woman in love. He went under with her, losing himself in an embrace that promised everything, but still left him empty-handed when she slipped away and, without another word, exited the room.
    The day stretched long and lonely, inching