As we made our way out of the restaurant, I could still feel the heat radiating from my cheeks. Dante's possessiveness was both thrilling and unnerving. I had never been the center of such attention, especially not in a way that made me feel both cherished and slightly suffocated.
The grand hallways of the establishment were adorned with opulent decorations, and the soft glow of chandeliers cast a warm light over everything. I tried to focus on the beauty around me, but my mind kept drifting back to Dante's fierce protectiveness.
"Are you okay?" he asked, glancing down at me with a mixture of concern and mischief in his eyes.
"Yeah, just... a little overwhelmed," I admitted, trying to shake off the lingering embarrassment.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything," he assured me, his voice low and soothing. "You just need to enjoy yourself. I won't let anyone disrespect you."
I nodded, appreciating his sentiment, but I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for the staff he had dismissed. "But what about the people you fired? They have families, you know. Maybe they just had a bad day."
Dante's expression hardened slightly. "In this business, there's no room for mistakes. If they can't perform at their best, they don't belong here. It's about maintaining standards."
I sighed, knowing he had a point, but it still felt harsh. "I get that, but maybe there's a way to address issues without being so... extreme?"
He stopped walking and turned to face me, his gaze intense. "You don't understand, do you? This isn't just about the job; it's about respect. If they can't respect the work or the environment, they don't deserve to be here. And I won't let anyone disrespect you, not even with their negligence."
His words hung in the air, and I felt a mix of admiration and apprehension. "I appreciate that, really. But I also think there's a balance to be struck."
Dante's expression softened, and he took a step closer, lowering his voice. "I'll try to be more understanding, but you have to promise me something."
"What's that?"
"Promise me you'll always speak up when something bothers you. I want to know what you think, even if it's about my decisions."
I met his gaze, feeling the weight of his sincerity. "I promise."
"Good," he said, a satisfied smile breaking through. "Now, let's get out of here and find something fun to do. I think we've had enough inspections for one day."
As we walked out of the building, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. The evening air was cool against my skin, and I took a deep breath, letting the tension of the day fade away.
"Where to next?" I asked, glancing up at him.
"Let's go to the rooftop terrace. I hear the view of the city at night is breathtaking," he suggested, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Sounds perfect," I replied, feeling a flutter of anticipation.
As we made our way to the terrace, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a whirlwind adventure with Dante. He was intense, passionate, and undeniably captivating. And despite the chaos of the day, I found myself looking forward to what lay ahead.
When we reached the rooftop, the sight took my breath away. The city lights twinkled like stars, and the cool breeze was refreshing. Dante stepped closer, wrapping an arm around my waist, pulling me against him.
"See? Isn't it beautiful?" he murmured, his breath warm against my ear.
"It really is," I replied, leaning into him, feeling safe and exhilarated all at once.
"Just like you," he added, his voice low and sincere.
I turned to face him, my heart racing. "You really know how to make a girl feel special, don't you?"
He chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Only for you, mi amor. Only for you."
As we stood there, surrounded by the beauty of the night, I realized that despite the challenges and the intensity of our situation, I was exactly where I wanted to be—by his side