The Redemption(66)

When the elevator doors open, my breath is taken away. A fire is roaring in the fireplace and a table for two is set up in front of it with a bottle of champagne chilling on ice. Bob pulls out a chair for me and I sit just as Dex does.

“Cinderella and Prince Charming?” I say, “You’re pulling out all the stops, Mr. Caggiano.”

“Not all of them. I’m saving some for another day.”

The champagne is poured and Bob disappears, leaving us inside the private suite of Cinderella’s Castle.

I take a sip, then ask, “I thought this place existing was just a rumor.”

“Nope, it’s real.”

“It’s beautiful. Ornate and over the top. Exactly how it should be.”

A waiter walks in with two pieces of chocolate cake and sets them in front of us. When he leaves, I lean on my elbow and smile. “I think I’m in Heaven.”

“You deserve Heaven for the Hell you’ve been through.”

I stare into his eyes astounded by his ability to say such perfect things at the right time. We clink our glasses, toasting to that. The first glass of champagne is gone and after eating my cake, I ask, “Dex, are you wooing me or trying to win me? Because either way, you’re doing an excellent job.”

“Good to know. But really, I’m just trying to make up for everything.”

I sit up straight, and say, “You keep saying you make all of these bad decisions and screw up, but I don’t see you that way. Maybe I should.” I think of Firenza. “I really should after finding you…” I don’t bother since I don’t want to drag up the past right now and ruin the evening.

He’s silent as he stands. Leaning his hand against the mantle, he stares into the fire below. “The madness of love is the greatest of heaven’s blessings”

“The madness of love feels fitting.”

“Plato has a way with words. I have that tattooed.”

“Where?”

“It’s the inscription inside the shield on my heart.”

Slowly, I stand up and walk to him. Touching his shoulder, he turns. His fingers unbutton his grey shirt while keeping his eyes on mine. The shield of armor, his family crest is revealed. Dex takes my hand and presses it flat against his skin that’s been heated by the fire, and whispers, “It’s been too long since you’ve touched me.”

The silence of the room exaggerates every swallow and breath I take. I drop my gaze from his eyes down to his chest and see the quote printed on the arched top of the tattoo. “Does this shield represent your family name or protect your heart?”

He cups my face, and says, “Both,” then kisses me.





Going against everything I’ve said, Dex affects me like no other. He’s gotten under my skin. Inside of Cinderella’s Castle, I back up, pulling Dex with me toward one of the beds behind us. I take his shirt off and kiss the warm skin of his shoulder. When I look up, he kisses me as his hands slide up from my waist to my ribs, his thumbs running along the sides of my breasts. Slipping my arms around his neck, I pull myself against him. “Make love to me, Dex.”

His breath covers my mouth as he pulls away. “No, it’s not time.”

“Time is irrelevant. We’re living our own fairytale. I want to feel you again.”

“I want more than just a physical connection to you, sweetheart. I want to own your soul the way you’ve taken possession of mine. It won’t be quick and it won’t be easy, but I’m gonna win you heart and soul, so much so that you’ll be begging me to f*ck you.”

As much as his words hit that soft spot in my heart, they also make me want him even more. “I’m already begging.”

He chuckles. “Nope, you’re not quite there yet.” Backing away from me, he picks his shirt up off the ground. “And sadly, our time is up.” The grandfather clock in the other room chimes the hour as if on cue. “We have to go.” He buttons his shirt while I’m left dumbfounded, confused, and downright horny.

Disgruntled, I huff as I walk past him and head for the stairs, needing to burn off the rage I’m feeling over being abandoned in this state.

Bob is downstairs with the same big grin he’s been wearing all night. “Did you have a nice time?”

“I did, until the end,” I reply without thinking.

“Oh, my apologies. Was something not to your liking?” he asks while Dex laughs.

I quickly clarify, “No, no, no. You were all wonderful and the service was impeccable. My date on the other hand seems to think teasing a woman is the way to her heart.”

Bob nods, understanding without me having to go into the details. He clears his throat as he looks over at Dex. “Well, I’m glad Disney could be of service tonight. Mr. Caggiano, is there anything else we can do for you or Ms. Floros?”

“No, as Ms. Floros mentioned, it was perfect—”

“Perfect,” I scoff, still frustrated… sexually.

Bob smiles. “Wonderful. Follow me then and I’ll walk you out.”

We follow, side by side, but behind Bob. The stragglers from the park are making their way out as well. I feel Dex’s hand tap against me and then he loops his little finger with mine. I’m not really mad at him, but definitely confused, so I whisper, “What does tonight mean?”