“No. Not at all. But …”
I told him about my conversation with Sienna.
“Sothat’swhy,” he said, bobbing his head.
“Are you mad?”
“Not at all. Hell, I’m relieved. I was worried you didn’t like me as much as I like you.”
Hearing him say that melted my heart.
“It’s not that at all, I promise,” I said. “I guess I was just worried because of what Sienna said.”
“I don’t care what other people think, Ottavia. All I know is, I want you with me. Always.” He took my hand into his, our fingers clasping. “As long as we have this time together, I want every second of it. Our time is too short to be playing games, you know?”
“Sorry … I swear I didn’t mean to play games.” I dropped my head guiltily. “This is still so new to me, Dakota.”
“No, no. It’s totally okay.” He lifted my chin. “Honestly, this is new to me, too.”
Huh?I didn’t understand. Women loved Dakota—I’d seen it firsthand over the past two weeks, and he was right. Every time we were out in public together, women were so brazen in their attempts to seduce him, it was as if I wasn’t even there. So how could this be new to him?
“New to you? What do you mean?” I asked.
“I’m talking about being in l—”
He swallowed the L word before it came out. But I’d heard it, as clear as day, and my swooning heart hammered in my chest.
Oh my God,I thought,he almost said he’s in love with me.
Dakota stammered and cleared his throat. “I’ve had a few relationships here and there. But they weren’t all that serious. And I never felt for them what I feel for you, Ottavia. Not even close.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really,” he said. “So … we’re both kinda virgins when it comes to that.”
I giggled.
“All I ask is that you talk to me, Ottavia. Please—whatever is on your mind—I want you to tell me. Promise me, okay?”
“I promise.”
He climbed to his feet and offered me his hand. “Come.”
When I took his hand, he hoisted me off the floor and threw me over his shoulder in one fluid movement.
“Where are you taking me?” I shrieked with laughter as he carried me down the hall.
“The place we never made it to.” He growled and possessively spanked my ass. “The bedroom.”
25
The Nepo Baby Affair
Dakota
Three months later.
Itip-toed into the bedroom and gently shook Ottavia’s shoulders. “Coffee’s ready, babe.”
