A promise

JUNIPER.

I whip around after filling my glass only to see that Dante has disappeared. How did he leave without making a sound?

I gulp down the water and put the glass back in the fridge before making my way out of the huge, spacious kitchen. It's a good thing Dante left, or who knows what would have happened next? 

Adelaide snuck a bottle of alcohol into my room earlier and I am choosing to blame that bottle of alcohol for my behavior earlier. I am not drunk, but the way I spoke to Dante a few minutes ago makes me believe that I am. 

I asked him to watch me get water from the kitchen? And even got all wet when I saw him checking me out? 

I have obviously lost my mind, because how on earth am I getting dirty thoughts about my best friend's father? He should be off limits, way out of my league, and yet I can't keep my eyes off his imposing, big arms and toned muscles when he is around me. 

I leave for my room, but Dante's coffee scent sticks to me like a second skin, a painful reminder that I am struggling to resist the old hottie. 

.

“You know the boy I like?” 

Adelaide asks as she tries on the third dress that morning. I am leaning on the wall, watching her twirl in front of the mirror. 

“He asked me to brunch and I don't know what to wear.” 

Adelaide has been going on and on about this boy, making me swear that I would never tell her father. Apparently, Dante is protective of her and won't let her hang out with any boy as long as he doesn't approve of it. 

“The yellow dress is better.” I say to her and she squeals, throwing off the wrap dress that she has on and grabbing the yellow one off the bed. She makes me do her make-up and then we both head downstairs. 

She plans to leave without Dante's notice, but unfortunately, he is already waiting downstairs by the time we get there. She clings to my arm, biting her lip. 

“Good morning daddy.” 

“Good morning Mr De Luca.” I murmur, avoiding his gaze. 

“Are you girls going somewhere?” He asks, sipping the coffee in his hand. He is wearing a robe and sitting on the couch with his legs spread apart. 

“Just Adelaide,” I responded. “She’s going to get something at the mall.” 

“And why aren't you tagging along?” His suspicious glares lingers on me and I roll my eyes unconsciously. 

“It's cold, and Juniper gets really sick in this sort of weather.” Adelaide answers quickly, holding her coat to her chest. 

“I see.” Dante simply nods and turns away from us. 

Adelaide and I exchange glances before she makes her way out in a hurry, and then, I make my way up the stairs but I pause when Simon rushes over to Dante. 

“Keep an eye on her.” I hear him whisper to Simon who rushes off immediately. Wow! Adelaide wasn't kidding, I might text her about this.

I try to leave again but when I spot the wound on Dante's fingers, I rush over to him without thinking, settling on the couch next to him with my brows furrowed. 

“What happened to you this time? Do you enjoy these injuries? You didn't even attempt to clean the burns!” I shoot daggers at him with my eyes before snatching the cup of coffee from him and placing it loudly on the side table. He only watched, an unreadable expression on his face. 

“I'll get my first aid kit.” 

I rush off but quickly return with my first aid kit. I meet him in the same position as before, but I ignore that and grab his hand, inspecting the burn. It was a second degree burn. 

“How did this happen to you?” I ask with knitted eyebrows and he shrugs, refusing to say a word. “It's annoying that you only speak when I don't want you to.” 

He chuckles. “And it's annoying that you care about me.” 

Heat rises to my cheeks, but I go on to dress his wound, fighting the urge to look into his tempting eyes. Never in my twenty one years of life did I imagine that I would be getting the hots for an old man. 

Well, to be fair, he isn't like most old men. His brooding eyes and imposing personality reminds me of the Mafia bosses that I read about in my romance books. 

Stop it Juniper! 

“I don't care about you.” I finally respond after what seems like forever. “I'm a nurse and it's my duty to help.” 

“Does that hurt?” I ask as I apply a little ointment on his burn. 

“The only thing I can feel is the pain in my groin.” He lets out a grunt and I don't know why I look down because the next thing I see is his erection and it makes my heart fall into the pit of my stomach. I shift uncomfortably, my mouth running dry. 

“That will be all.” My voice fails me, revealing just how tense I am. I squeeze my thighs together as I close the first aid box and get up. I rush to the kitchen without looking back, trying to calm my racing heart. 

I try to steady my breathing as I wash my hands in the sink, but as soon as I turn, the huge man is standing over me, a grin on his face, and his eyes roaming me like I am something he wants to obtain. My weak knees almost fail me, forcing me to grab the sink. 

“Wh.. what are you doing?” I can barely get the words out. 

He pushes closer, sneaking his arm around my waist and I gasp, keeping my eyes on him with my body shivering. I want to push him away, but my body screams for him to come closer. 

“I know you want this too.” 

I frown immediately, finally gathering the courage to push him away. 

“I don't insult my elders but you are sick! How dare you hit on your daughter's best friend? You shouldn't be doing this!” I scold, but he scoffs. 

“Stay away from me, or I'll tell Adelaide everything. You two seem to have a lovely relationship and I know you don't want to ruin it.” 

“Most women are drawn to me, and you're pushing me away?” He asks, as if he can't believe it.

“Oh, well I'm so sorry that I don't lick your ass like other women do!” I mock, rolling my eyes and I can see his jaw clench. Perhaps I've gone too far. 

“You have weeks to spend here, little one.” He pauses, obviously enraged, and I swallow, turned on by the way he calls me little one.

“And by the end of the holidays, I'll make sure I leave you craving for the very same thing you claim not to want. My darkness will become your new home, and these arms will become the only space that you will ever truly feel safe in, even though they scream danger.” 

His breaths on my skin, covering me with goosebumps. 

I definitely went too far.