Fireworks on the Beach by Poppy Parkes

Author:Poppy Parkes [Parkes, Poppy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Parkes Publishing
Published: 2020-06-29T16:00:00+00:00

Daisy

I don’t know when I go from liking Dante to wanting Dante.

You know, in a carnal way.

I think it’s around the time he says I still love Mike, that asshole, while covering my hand in his and offering me a different future than the one I’d been imagining.

And a future with Dante by my side? It gleams beautiful and bright in my mind’s eye.

There’s something about him, a way that he has where he makes me feel heard and seen and respected and cherished all at once with very few words. He feels solid and safe and so very kind.

And he’s a damn good kisser.

I want more of him. I want everything he’s willing to give.

We devour our burgers and fries. They’re so good that I lick the salt off my fingers when all the food’s gone. Dante sees, but instead of snickering at me like Mike would’ve, he joins me in doing the same.

“I’m glad we came here,” I tell Dante after he tries to pay and Dominique waves him off, muttering something about how seeing a pretty girl on his arm for once is payment enough. “You’re right, this is way better than any of the touristy spots.”

“It’s real,” he says, leaning back in his chair, hands on his full belly and eyes on me. “That’s what I think the magic of Four Roads is. Everything here is real, true to life.”

“I like real,” I murmur.

“Me too,” he says. He levers his body forward at the hips to capture both my hands in his. “That’s what I like about you. You’re a real person, grounded and true and kind and growing.”

I put on a teasing pout. “It’s not because I’m pretty?”

Dante laughs, but the laughter ends with a growl. “You’re the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. But that’s not all you are.” He hesitates like he’s weighing his next words carefully. “That’s what Mike got wrong about you. He thought you were just a pretty thing. But you’re so much more.”

“And you, Dante Johnson?” I ask, suddenly breathless, heart pounding against my ribs. “What do you see when you look at me?”

He squeezes my hands and doesn’t let go, like he’s holding on while the ocean’s undercurrent threatens to drag him out to sea. “Will you run if I tell you that you look like my future — like everything I’ve been waiting for?”

I shake my head, sudden tears welling in my eyes. “No,” I whisper. “I’m not leaving your side, unless you want me to. Because you’re everything I wanted, everything I thought I was getting with Mike but was not, not even close.”

His fingers travel from my hand up my arm to cradle my cheek, tracing my jaw with his thumb. “Stay with me tonight.”

“Yes,” I sigh, closing my eyes as a strange concoction of relief and excitement churns through me. “Yes, please.”

Dante stands abruptly, chair dancing behind him before settling. “Come on,” he says, plunking down a couple of twenties and offering me a hand.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.