CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 5.

Sophia gave her reflection a final look in the mirror before grabbing her bag and leaving her room.

Dressed in a sleek black one-shoulder ruffle dress, she held a silver purse in her right hand as she walked to her car, her head held high.

She stepped into the driver’s seat, a little too discomforted. Something about this blind date felt wrong, but she was determined to go. This would be her way of proving a point to her father the next time he tried setting her up again.

Sophia adjusted the rearview mirror and studied her reflection. The sharp flick of her eyeliner highlighted her striking blue eyes, which seemed to pierce through the glass. She looked stunning—an undeniable beauty the world didn’t deserve.

Her ex had called her cold, accused her of being insensitive to a man’s touch. The words had stung, chipping away at her confidence. But now, looking at herself, she felt the strength returning. She tossed her hair back with practiced ease.

She was Sophia—a woman of power. She would get through this. And after tonight, she’d never have to endure another blind date again.

With a flick of her wrist, she reeved the car to life.

Her hands lightly gripped the steering wheel as the world blurred past her windows. The gentle hum of the engine blended with the music playing in the car, calming her nerves. She leaned back into the seat, letting the melody ease her mind.

But her thoughts betrayed her. Dante’s image forced its way into her head, pulling her back to the memory of the previous day. Her shoulders tensed, and her grip on the wheel tightened as she recalled the way his eyes lingered on her with something she could best describe as desire and —lust.

The way her body shamelessly responded to him. The way her pussy throbbed at the mare realization that he was staring at her with desire. The sudden erection that her nipples took left her cheeks burning with embarament. Thanks to the bra that concealed the erection of her nipples, something her expression could not hide.

The soft hunk from a car behind pulled Sophia out of her trance. She jolted from the sinful thoughts of Dante that were slowly becoming a routine in her life.

Sophia bit on her lips, trying to suppress the thoughts but the soft liquid that coated her thighs left her struck.

Sophia’s leg on the accelerator softened as realization downed on her. Whatever she was feeling down there was strange yet familiar. It was the feeling she had from being stared at by Dante’s deep lustful eyes.

Sophia refused to belive that the thoughts of him could stire something as serious as wetness—something her ex could not do.

Sophia batted her lashes trying to shatter the sinful thoughts of him. She reminded herself of what her concern should be— his health and how he was healing, but the reaction her body made could not be ignored.

Sophia longed for the end of the ride. The blind date, which she already despised, became her way to escape Dante’s unwelcome yet desired thoughts.

As the car slowed to a stop, she felt an overwhelming resentment. The thought of this date reminded her of the bitter truth—she didn’t have a responsible man who would love her genuinely. She hated that her father still forced her into situations like this.

Sophia stepped out of the car and slammed the door shut. Her hand gripped her purse tightly, though her movements remained composed. Her elegant dress and sharp black stilettos spoke volumes about her personality as she walked into the restaurant.

The restaurant’s all-black design was striking, but Sophia’s focus was elsewhere. Her sharp eyes scanned the room until they settled on a man sitting in the VIP section, his back turned to her.

He was punctual. She liked that. But Sophia knew one thing for certain—she wouldn’t like him.

She moved forward with measured steps, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. Heads turned, sensing the aura she carried as if she owned the space.

“Hello,” she greeted, her voice calm but commanding.

The man turned around, and Sophia froze. Her carefully composed smile disappeared faster than she could stop it.

“Baby,” Ryan said, standing to greet her. His tone was warm, almost pleading. “Thank God you’re here.”

He reached for her hand, but Sophia stepped back, her anger bubbling to the surface.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded, her voice sharp with rage. She pulled out her phone, double-checking the address.

“I’m here to see you,” he said, taking a step closer.

Sophia’s eyes flicked to her phone again. She was in the right place, the right section. The restaurant was reserved for them, but this wasn’t what she had agreed to.

“Why are you here?” she snapped, her glare cutting into him like daggers.

Ryan smiled faintly. “I came to see you.”

Her stomach twisted in disgust. Was this the man her father had arranged? No. Ryan was heartless, but he wasn’t like her father. Her father was a monster of a different breed—a mafia lord. Ryan, though cruel, was just a selfish man she had wasted two years of her life on.

She had questions, but none she wanted answers to. Turning on her heels, she made to leave, but Ryan grabbed her wrist.

“What?” she barked, glaring at him.

“Please, Sophia,” he said, his voice low and desperate. “I needed to see you. I had to talk to you… to ask for your forgiveness.”

His eyes were filled with what looked like regret, but Sophia refused to fall for it. She yanked her wrist away.

“We’re done, Ryan,” she spat. “You made that clear when you called me a nun.”

“I’m sorry,” he said again, his voice breaking as he reached for her.

“Don’t touch me!” she snapped, her pulse hammering in her chest. She glared at him, her rage burning brighter.

“Listen to me,” she said, pointing a finger in his face. “You and I are over. Do you understand? I don’t want to see you again.”

“I can’t,” Ryan said, stepping closer.

Sophia stepped back immediately, her eyes narrowing. “If you take one more step, I’ll call the police. Don’t test me.”

The word police froze him in place. He looked around, noticing the waitress watching them with suspicion. The last thing Ryan needed was a run-in with the law, not with the crimes he had buried in his past.

Sophia saw his hesitation and seized the moment. Without another word, she stormed out of the restaurant, her pulse pounding in her ears.

Sophia stilled, leaning against her car. Her hands gripped her forehead and she tried to block out his voice, his manipulative words, and the memory of their breakup as they echoed in her mind.

When she opened her eyes. An abrupt halt occurred in her actions as she took in the sight of Dante. Like a mystery that walked the night, he stood in front of her, dressed in a very tailored black suit with hands in his pocket — the suit a silhouette of the darkness he is, yet she saw him as the savior of the world.

Sophia stared around, and curiosity clogged her face.

“Where…”

“Who is the bastard?” Dante’ voice sliced through the air like the lethal edge of a blade.

Sophia’s body melted at the baritone of his voice, but she stared at Dante wondering who he was referring to.

“Which bastard?” Her voice quivered as she struggled to understand.

“The one that had you stumbling out with heavy breath.” The weight of his words were as heavy as the dread that filled his face.

Sophia swallowed, staring at the glass door that led to the restaurant.

“I… he is nothing.”

“I do not take that for an answer. Who is daring you?” The curuousity in his voice thickened as much as the anguish In it. He didn't have time to play whatever she was trying to play. His blood was boiling and he was barely masking it up. Whoever was daring his property needed to be taught a lesson by his blood-tasty self.

“My ex came in place for the blind date my father prepared for me, so…” Sophia's voice trailed off as he noticed the dreadful look that suddenly gripped his face.

That ex would be a goner for trying to win what is his and her father would pay for trying to give his property to someone else.

Dante turned with intension to rip the fucking restaurant out, because he would buy the restaurant in million different places if he wished.

“Don't.” Sophia countered, grabbing his wrist. His legs halted and he turned to her.

“Why?” His voice softened as much as the look on his face, almost tender.

“Why don't you want me to?”

Sophia stared around. She didn't want them to create a scene. Dante could get injured and she cared deeply about his wound.

Her eyes landed on his arm and she moved a hand, slowly against his arm, their gaze fixed together.

Dante’s jaws tightened at the action that sent a slithering warmth through his vein.

“I don't want you to get hurt.” Her voice came out in a whisper. The one he desired to hear her moan in.

“He is irrelevant.” She added and his jaws settled.

Sophia’s eyes lingered around his hard face. Yet a single gorgeousness did not go missing. There was something fishy about how he appeared to rescue her everytime. Was he stalking her? Those were the question in her mind but they were too direct.

“Do you save everyone like this?”

Dante’s awareness moved from the pleasure that the gentle trail of her finger surged through him. He raised his gaze to her beautiful face. Face that he would spray his cum on after getting his pleasure from her pussy.

“I do not save everyone. Just you.”

Sophia’s stomach churned and she stared at Dante with dried throat. Her eyes moved from his lust claded eyes to his plump tempting lips.

If a man as handsome as this protected her then he needed something from her, right?

“What do you want In turn from protecting me ?”

Dante stared at her for a seconds. Time passed with them staring into each other’s eyes. Slowly, Dante moved a hand to her chin, staring into her eyes like a predator to its prey.

He cradled her chin between his fingers.

“I want you. I want to own you. To make you mine and to give you the world.” Whatever held him from saying the last sentence he didn't know. But he want to sleep with his cock buried inside her and be want to wake up to being buried in her.

A spark in Sophia’s body illuminated and all words suddenly died down her throat. He spoke to her like a master to a submiss yet her pussy throbbed in approval to his every words.