by Kelly, Marie
The next three months had been like a dream to Sam. She had loved the luxurious two bedroom penthouse suite he lived in right in the centre of New York. True to his word, Dante had introduced her to Joseph, who had made it very clear to her that he was not going to be swayed with his decision based on who her boyfriend was. However, within minutes the two were talking like old friends, Joseph impressed with her knowledge and enthusiasm for design. He had started her as a junior designer, quickly promoting her to be a lead within a month of working for him.
She had an ability to work well with clients and see both their practical needs and their vision, with a ruthless ability to stick to budgets that so few others seemed able to do. Soon she was one of his most requested designers, and Sam loved her job.
Most nights she would arrive home before Dante, who as she had predicted was a workaholic. She loved to then make dinner for them both, taking pleasure in such a small chore, given that the apartment was professionally cleaned on a daily basis. He had told her that she did not have to do this, but had loved the fact that she wanted to, finding that coming home to her and dinner, where they would both talk about their day was strangely enjoyable something he had not anticipated.
Both would try and make sure that they had at least one day during the week-end free, to allow them to spend that important time together. On those days they would explore or simply have long lies in, where they would invariably make love for most of the morning, Dante realising that he was happy, the revenge plan put onto the back burner for the time being.
Their fourth month together Dante had sat in his office, his mind playing over the previous evening, smiling gently at the way she had surprised him at the door, wearing nothing more than six inches heels and a smile, a glass of whisky in her hand as she had purred so seductively at him.
“Whisky or me?” a wicked smile playing on her lovely mouth, her green eyes flashing so warmly. Moving forward he had remembered plucking the glass from her fingers and depositing it on the nearest table before pulling her into his arms, just the memory making him shiver with pleasure. At 28 he had never lived with a woman, preferring his own space, but being with Sam had been more than just easy, it had been wonderful.
The ringing of the phone had pulled him from his very pleasant musings.
“Dante Durant” he had replied, falling silent as the person on the other end had spoken, his fingers curling whitely around the receiver as he had listened to the news being given to him. When the call had ended he had slammed the receiver back down, swearing loudly under his breath, the white searing rage filling him. Dante was a man who took precautions, ensuring that he knew of anything that might be happening that could jeopardise his company, his network of informers widespread. Once more glad that he took such precautions hearing that his rival was trying to surreptitiously buy stock in his company, knowing that often such action heralded a hostile takeover. His handsome mouth hardening, he had fought to control the rage fill him at this man’s plans, determining that he would put a stop to it, that he would not let history repeat itself.
His mind had moved back to Samantha, his revenge plan once more coming to the fore, frowning as he had realised that things were different now. When he had initially set out on his plan, Samantha Trey had in his mind been a spoilt brat, deserving of what was about to befall her. However, She was kind and gentle with a caring nature, her intelligence and sense of humour fascinating him, the thought of hurting her not pleasant. There had to be a way that she would be none the wiser that what was to happen had been by design. Already he knew that Samantha was in love with him, although never openly stated, he instinctively knew it, not sure how he felt about her himself. Sitting back he had entwined his fingers together pressing them thoughtfully against his mouth, his eyes looking unseeingly out at the city skyline as his new plan had taken shape.
That evening he had moved into his home, smiling hearing the clatter of pots coming from the kitchen. As he had entered, she had her back to him closing one of the higher cupboards, Dante moving quickly to wrap his arms around her waist, laughing as she had squealed in surprise.
“Dante!!” her laughter filling his ears, as turning in his hold she had draped her arms around his neck smiling happily up at him.
“Good day?” her voice sensual as her eyes had flicked over his face falling to his lips. Groaning softly he had fought the desire to kiss her, smiling.
“Not bad...pretty good”.
Sam moving in harder against him, as he had pulled away from her, grabbing her hand and pulling her from the kitchen, Samantha giggling with expectation, frowning as he had led her to the living room and not the bedroom. Pouting she had looked at him with a sigh. However as he had turned and looked so intently at her, her look had become more concerned
“Is everything OK Dante?”
Her eyes seeking answers, turning to confusion as he had smiled something so warm glowing in the dark depths of his eyes. Silently he had taken her hand, slowly dropping down onto one knee, realisation falling on Samantha as she had felt tears rise to her eyes.
“Sam” he had began looking up into her shell shocked face.
“I know that we have not been together for long, but I also know how I feel... and I love you Samantha Trey”, his voice full of emotion as she had stood frozen and silent.
“Will you marry me?”
As her hands had flown to cover her mouth, the tears had finally fallen, Samantha sobbing with pure joy as she had nodded her head, Dante once more rising and pulling her into his arms.
“Yes, oh yes” she had finally managed, her lips kissing him, both of them laughing together happily. Pulling back she had looked up, her eyes full of such devotion.
“I love you so much Dante” her voice breaking with emotion and honesty, Dante feeling something so deep within him lurch.
“I was just so happy being with you...I never thought you could feel the same way”.
Smiling, he had dragged her down onto the large couch, pulling her in tightly.
“Oh Sam...How could I not. You are the most wonderful person I have ever met”, surprising himself with the honesty of his words. She truly was the best person he had met. Pulling her in even tighter, her head tucked under his chin he had frowned in confusion at this thought. Gently stocking her hair, he had smiled as she had tucked her feet up beside him, a sigh of complete happiness leaving her. Nuzzling her he had began speaking softly.
“I was thinking that we could get married soon, not have a long engagement”. Samantha had looked up at him in surprise, her features still glowing with joy.
Chuckling she had scrunched up her nose at him.
“I promise that I am not going to run away you know”, Dante laughing softly.
“Well I am very glad to hear that........but I guess that I just think that the sooner we are married.....well the sooner we can look at maybe starting a family”.
At these words Sam had pulled back in stunned surprise.
“You want children?” she had asked, a small smile on her lips, the thought of a little Dante suddenly filling her with more happiness than she would have ever believed. He had smiled.
“Well I’m 28, not getting any younger...and I just know that I have found the right person. I guess it feels right” his expression suddenly so serious “We feel right”.
Groaning softly she had reached up to kiss him, Dante pulling her into his arms and rising with her strutting with determined steps into the bedroom.
There love making had been slow, languorous and gentle the knowledge that they would be together adding to the intensity they shared. As they lay in each other’s arms, both soaking in the afterglow of their lovemaking, both still panting for breath he had smiled down at her.
“Let's do it next week.....let’s go away somewhere and come back married”.
Giggling she had looked back, growing quieter seeing the determination on his face.
“You’re serious?”
She had
managed seeing as he had nodded softly.
“I don’t want the big wedding with people I hardly know.....I just want it to be us...you and me”.
Pausing he had added more warily.
“Unless there are people you want to be there. Your mother, father maybe”.
Biting her lip she had looked back at him, her sweet face so open as she had shaken her head.
“I never talk about them Dante...for good reason. I know that you wonder, and I really appreciate that you have never pushed me” smiling lovingly at him
“But the truth is that my father has little or no time for me. He has never really got over the disappointment of my not being a boy”.
Weaving his fingers into hers, he had chuckled.
“Well I have to say that I am VERY glad that you were not a boy”.
Still holding his hand she had flipped over onto her stomach to look into his eyes.
“My father is very rich Dante, perhaps even richer than you, very rich and very cruel. I have not spoken to him since I was sixteen...since he and my mother split up”.
She had seen the wary look rise into his eyes.
“You told me that we came from different worlds, as I recall you were quite nervous about my having money”.
He had said softly, seeing as she had nodded.
“That is true, but I have not lived with either of my parents since I was ten, and I have not taken a penny from them either”.
Her voice had been proud of this fact.
“I lived with my grandmother. She is the only person who has ever really cared for me Dante, and I would do anything for her”.
Frowning in concentration she had continued.
“Sadly it has been my experience that rich men have little time for people or their feelings. They use them to further their own agenda” her eyes once more glassing over with love.
“That is...until I met you” she had whispered softly, bending her head to kiss his fingers, missing the look that had crossed his eyes.
“You are the kindest, most wonderful man I have ever met...I love you so much”.
With that she had moved further up the bed, to lie half over him kissing him again, the fires once more igniting between the two.
The next morning, she had awoken to him leaning over her, his hand flicking a piece of her hair playfully across her nose to wake her.
“Good morning sleepyhead” he had drawled sensually, as she had grinned up at him, happiness stamped over her features.
“Good morning yourself” she had chuckled, seeing as his mouth had curved into a soft grin.
“I thought that we could go shopping”.
Sam raising an eyebrow in surprise.
“You...” she had chuckled in disbelief “you want to go shopping with me?” seeing as he had laughed, Samantha being the first woman he had met who had not expected him to spend his free time trailing around clothes stores with him, preferring to spend their little time together in more pleasant pursuits.
“Well” he had whispered huskily, lifting her hand and kissing her finger.
“This kind of shopping is more sparkly and definitely more pleasant”.
Understanding had fallen on Sam, who had smiled widely, her eyes sparkling with such happiness.
“I know I said that I didn’t want a long engagement Sam...but I still think that you should have a ring”, seeing as she has nodded softly, her eyes once more growing larger with tears, as she had moved her hands to gently hold his cheeks.
“Have I told you how much I love you today” she had whispered softly, her expression suddenly so serious.
“How happy you make me every single day”.
Dante had felt the guilt gnawing at his belly, but there was something else, something so warm that he had leant in to her, his mouth finding hers.
“We will be very happy together you and I Miss Trey. Very very happy”.
Much later that morning they had found themselves at one of New York’s most exclusive jewellers, the couple led into a private room where they had been served refreshments by the owner himself. He had congratulated them, so happy to see the way the future bride seemed to glow with happiness, the kind that could not be faked. Dante had insisted that no expense be spared for her ring, much to the owner’s delight and they had been seated on large comfortable chairs.
For over an hour they had sat in the large opulent room, as tray upon tray of rings had been brought to them. Sam had considered each and every one, trying on the expensive and exquisite pieces of jewellery with those she had liked being placed to the side for further consideration, smiling up at Dante constantly. However, when they had produced one of the last trays she had given a gasp, her eyes lighting up with wonder seeing the perfect emerald set within diamonds, the stone almost the same colour as her eyes.
“It’s beautiful” she had whispered, her hand outstretched admiring the piece of jewellery.
Dante had moved forward taking her hand and smiling.
“Yes, it looks wonderful on you” he had said, his eyes warm seeing her radiant smile.
The ring had seemed almost to be made for her, not even needing to be resized as she had kept it on, the other pieces of jewellery quickly being removed.
Together they had then left, Sam finding herself constantly sneaking a look at her finger, watching as the light had caught the facets of the wonderful jewel, feeling the excitement of wearing it and what it signified, her eyes once more looking so lovingly at Dante. He had taken her to her favourite restaurant for lunch, Sam enjoying the wonderful food, laughing as he had looked pointedly at her, as once more she had lifted her hand to admire the ring, Sam scrunching up her nose at him as she had noticed that he seemed suddenly nervous, uncomfortable, her look becoming concerned.
“What is it ...what’s wrong?”.
Dante had pulled the neatly folded sheets of paper from his pocket, slowly opening them as he had flicked an uncomfortable look at her.
“There is something I need to ask of you Sam” He had said.
“Something that my board insist on...for the sake of my company”
Frowning she had looked at him in confusion, as he had held the paper out to her.
“They insist that there is a pre-nup”.
His other hand had moved to hold hers.
“I would never ask this of you if it was not for them...and I have ensured that it is a fair contract, even though I know that I have found the right woman”.
Samantha had smiled lovingly at him.
“Oh Dante...I understand. Of course you have to protect your company” adding softly “and I know that we are going to be forever too”.
Plucking the piece of paper from his hand she had looked through her bag for a pen, not even bothering to read the contents as she had signed it without hesitation. Taking her fingers in his he had kissed her knuckles looking so deeply into her adoring eyes again feeling the strange heat in his stomach. The final step of his plan being so easily achieved not giving him the sense of satisfaction that he had expected.
From another booth in the expensive restaurant Daniel Trey had sat sipping his fine wine. He was not really a lover of the drink, but enjoyed being able to afford such luxuries with waiters fawning over him. He had smiled watching his latest mistress as she had pouted perfectly her lovely face trying not to look bored as he and his PA had talked business, the other man trying unsuccessfully not to stare lecherously at her lovely body, as he had risen to move to the bathroom.
He had allowed his eyes to travel down her perfection knowing how much pleasure she gave him in bed looking forward to later that night knowing that she would ensure that he was not left unsatisfied. She was a cold hearted gold digger, but she knew exactly how to look after a man. Daniel Trey had smiled again; yes life was good for him.
Briefly he had looked up in surprise as his PA David had returned, his whole being buzzing with excitement as his voice had become a conspiratorial whisper.
“Dante
Durant is here”.
Taking a sip of his expensive drink Daniel had again flicked his look to his mistress, his voice just as low trying to hide the way his interest had been piqued.
“Is he alone?”
The other man had shaken his head.
“What is she like” Daniel had continued seeing as David had given a small smile.
“I would give her a 9.5.......she is pretty damn hot” he had finished with a dirty laugh.
Daniel had smiled. If this girl was as nice as David said, and David had a good eye when it came to women, then perhaps she would be worth keeping tabs on. Dante Durant had a very short attention span where women were concerned, but he hated knowing that Daniel could take what had once been so intimately his.
