Lost Girl (Soul Bound Book 1)

by E. M Jefferson

  Dante is playing with my hair as I start to drift off into sleep before I hear his words. “Whatever you do Belle…… Don’t fall in love with me”

  Just before sleep could claim me, I mutter my reply “I already have” unsure if he heard my reply as all I hear is his heartbeat increasing.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Date with Dante

  Stretching out I enjoyed the morning light coming through the slit in the curtains. It was going to be a good day as the sun was brighter than ever. However, my heart sank when I knew I would wake up alone like always. It was almost as if he couldn’t stand me waking up to him. Looking to my left I could see the bed was empty as I reached out for his invisible body.

  “Miss me already” Dante said, and I shot around to find him fully awake sat by a desk.

  “Your still here?” I said in surprise.

  “Pray tell me Belle. Where else would I be as it seems every time, I leave with you in the bed. I come back to an empty one” he said.

  “Maybe because I didn’t think you wanted me the next day” I said in a timid voice.

  Dante scoffs before replaying “Why Belle? If I didn’t want you here I would never have brough you into my own bed, let alone stay the night” He tells me as he stands around a polished black desk where he lends back on it.

  “Maybe because you were never around in the mornings, so I assumed you wanted me to leave”

  Dante makes a tusking noise before beckoning me towards him. I bite my lip and shake my head in a firm no. “What’s the matter Belle? Its not like I haven’t seen you naked before” He said being cocky with a cheeky smirk on his lips.

  “How about you come back into bed with me, spend the day with me?”

  His heated gaze roams over my naked form hidden underneath the blanket. He already knows my body so it should make a different but somehow in the day light, it makes me more vulnerable and exposed to him.

  “As tempting as that sounds, we do have plans for today” he says before lifting his hand up. I was startled by the playful smile, one that I have never seen on him before. Which was why when the quilt shot off me it took a second for me to respond.

  “DANTE” I screamed at him trying to cover my private parts and girly bits.

  Dante let out a roaring laugh at my failed attempt “Belle, I have seen you naked and spend hours running my hands over your body. Is there any need to be embarrassed or need for modesty? When I have already had you?” he was still laughing as I tried to cover myself with pillows.

  “Dante! One that is creepy watching me sleep. Two can’t you at least get me something to wear, and three. What plans?” I asked as I held the pillow tighter.

  A dangerously smile lined his face as he walked towards me, leaning down he kissed my forehead and said “You need to get showered and dressed as we will be going out shortly. Chop. Chop. Belle. Time is ticking and we need to get moving”

  “I need to go, but I will be back very soon and expect you dressed and ready for what I have planned” His voice sent tingles down my spine where I swear his beast purred at the reaction he got.

  Dante walked away without a second glance as I heard the door open and close, letting me know I was official on my own. I waited a few minutes before getting out the enormous bed and heading towards the bath. My legs felt like jelly as muscle ached, I was a little unsteady, but nothing compared to before.

  I walked into the bathroom which had been fixed since the last time as it would have been a shame to have left it destroyed. I looked around for a cabinet or holder where soap or shampoo would have been. It was hard to find as the room was very bare except for a black marble block that had a sink. Behind it was an oval mirror that was designed with celtic markings similar to the ones outside the club. I through for sure that they would be underneath the sink but how did I miss this last time?

  “I may have redecorated this room to suit your needs” Dante said from behind me making me scream out.

  “Damn it! I am so getting every sneaky fucker a bell!” I said putting my hand on my heart to calm it down.

  “You can put a bell on me as long as I get to put something around you as well” he purred at me.

  “Let me think about that. What did you mean when you redecorated this room for me?” I asked questioningly

  “A sink, mirror and some feminine toiletries just for you. your welcome” He said before disappearing while I stared dumb folded.

  “Ok then” I said to the empty room.

  I looked closer at the stink where a hidden shelf filled with different products could be found. Opening the first one I sniffed it first as it smelled of honey and flowers. Happy with how it smelled I got into the bath where the temperature was just right. How I wished I had my own automatic bathroom that would rise perfectly when I entered.

  “Perfect” I said on a breath

  Washing my body first I enjoyed how the liquid was golden where the honey smell was extremely strong. It made my skin feel surprisingly soft. Using the same product, I lathered my silver hair where I massaged it into my roots. Bubbles and foam covered my hair before washing it out. I loved my long hair, but it was a pain to look after.

  Once I had finished, I had forgotten to bring a towel with me but just as I through it, Dante walked in carrying two towels. “Ok, who are you? and what have you done to Dante?” I said with water dripping off my body. Instead of answering he walked towards me before licking one of the droplets from my neck.

  “Hmmmm, honey” He said.

  “Dante!” I said playfully before pushing his shoulders.

  “Yes Belle”

  “Did you get a personality switch or something?” I said playfully.

  “No” He said simply.

  “Then” I said as Dante began to dry me carefully starting from my feet before making his way up.

  “Maybe I just wanted to spend some time with you” he said as he turned me around where my back and bum received the same treatment.

  “Sure” I said questioning his motive

  “And maybe I want to make up for my actions yesterday” he said it so sincerely that I had to do a double take to make sure I’m hearing him right.

  “Dante have you been highjacked and replaced by aliens?” could it be possible? I mean why not if Underland exists and other portals are possible, then surly aliens taking over another person would be real….. Right?

  “Don’t be so silly Belle, Aliens do not exist” he said as he finished drying me before wrapping my hair within the spare towel.

  “If you say so”

  “I know so. Now enough and go get dressed” he said as he slapped my ass before leaving me once more. It took me a few seconds to get my body into gear as he was acting so unusual. Now don’t get me wrong, its nice that his being very caring and kind but it isn’t him. I want the real him, not the one who put on a disguise and acts like a stranger.

  I left the bathroom and went back into the bedroom where some clothes were left out for me. They were my type and size which scared me a little. A pair of light blue jeans, a white vest top and brown boots were on the bed as they still had their price tag. I didn’t want to think how much they had cost, so I pull the tags off before getting changed.

  The clothes were very comfort to wear and hugged my body, showing of my curves. Over the past few weeks since living with Alex I have managed to put some weight on. It made me feel better about myself as I wasn’t so thin anymore, instead there were meat on these bones.

  “You look lovely Belle” Dante said wrapping his arms around me. I let out a continent sigh as I loved being in his arms.

  “Thank you, you look very dashing…. Should I be worried about what your planning?”

  “No, it’s a surprise” Dante said taking my hand as he led me out of his apartment and into the elevator. We stayed in silence as we rode down towards the Vip section. One I dreaded to go into as my face heated with embarrassment.

  “Such a pretty colour on that pale s
kin of yours. I wonder what, has you blushing so hard?” He teases as he knows why.

  “Do we have to walk this way?”

  A small smirk crosses his face “Tell me Belle. You want to work here and yet after last night you can’t step foot within this section without turning red. How will you cope when you work behind the bar?” He says in jest.

  “I didn’t think that far ahead” I admit out loud as we walk forward. The table we had done the dirty dead on had been replaced with a new one and so had the walls that Dante’s beast had destroyed.

  “Don’t worry I kept that table as it held a dear memory of you staking your claim” Dante whispers mischievously.

  “Please God save me now” I mutter as I cast my eyes down.

  “Look at me Belle” I do as I’m told. “Don’t ever put your head down in shame, not because of what we did” So much warmth and emotions swirl withing his black eyes where the gold dances around his iris. “You are beautiful. What we did can not be explained. If anything, everyone should be dropping their heads as you pass them for no man shall ever look upon the beauty you hide”

  “Possessive”

  “Would you let another woman touch me? Let alone look at me naked?”

  “I think we both know what would happen Dante” I said with a bite as just thinking about Sophia and what he allowed has me clenching my fists.

  “Yes, last night was rather an eye opener, so imagine what I would do if another man dared touch you. Let alone look upon what is mine”

  “I would imagine he- “

  “Would be dead, his head would be ripped from his shoulders and mounted on my fucking wall” Dante finishes for me.

  I was so engrossed with our conversation that I didn’t realize we were outside the club where a limo was sat idling, waiting for us.

  “Overkill much” I stated

  “No. I wanted my hands free” He tells me as he opens to door for me. Taking his hand, he lowers me into the car before sliding his body inside.

  Its luxury incarnated as the cream seats are made with leather, a flat screen tv sat on the other side, a personal mini bar stocked with crystal glasses and bottles.

  I feel out of place as the man next to me is dressed from head to toe in designer clothes, black jeans that hug his legs, tight white vest with a blue shirt over the top. His sleeves are rolled up which gives him a bad boy looks as his markings are on display.

  “When do I get to know where were going?”

  “Soon enough” Dante pulled me into his lap where he distracted me with a searing kiss, one that blow my mind. Hands wrapped into my hair where he deepened the kiss and intensified it to the point, I shamelessly rubbed myself against him. He made me feel like a wanton woman who didn’t care that the driver could see. My sole focus was on Dante and his wicked tongue.

  Dante pulled back making me chase his lips for a final kiss before he chuckled at my behaviour. “I must say, I do love how needy you are for my attention”

  “Maybe if you gave it more often then I wouldn’t be so needy”

  “Maybe I like you needy and wanton, wild with lust for me” He purrs.

  “Dante” I said through glazed eyes.

  “None the less we are here now” he said stroking my hair as he looked at me with soft eyes allowing the gold to seep through.

  “And that is?”

  “Kew Gardens” He told me.

  I couldn’t speak as it was such a thoughtful gesture that I always wanted to go but never had the time. Such a trivial thing but yet it meant more to me than any gifts or presents he could have brough me.

  “Thank you”

  Tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear he leans down to place a kiss on my cheek before replying “Your most welcome my love” his last words where said so quietly I don’t think he meant to say them.

  We entered through the front doors where Dante paid for us to go and explore. Kew Gardens is a botanic garden that houses the largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world.

  “Did you know that Kew Gardens hold an insane plant collection that include alpine and rock gardens, tropical herbaceous and climbers collection?”

  “Yes, and they also have a Mediterranean garden as well as an orchid garden around here…. Where would you like to go first?” Dante kept his hand firmly placed on my lower back as we headed outside.

  “I don’t know. there’s so many I want to see! We can’t possible see it all?”

  “If you wish to view it all then I would hire the place out just for you” he says it so sincerely that I’m afraid he would actually do it.

  “You’re not joking, are you?”

  “To see your face light up like that and look at me like I am the only person in the world? Then no. I’m not joking, I’m being deadly serious”

  As we walk along the outside path, I take in the gardens full of gorgeous blooming plants where the heady scent of roses, jasmine and earth can be smelled. It so hard to choose where to start as everything sounds amazing from weird and wonderful to tropical experiences.

  “Lets head to….. Princess of Wales conservatory and walk through the ten climates” I say with excitement in my voice”

  “Lead the way little one”

  We make our way towards a big glass dome where the sun shines through before entering. We were lucky that we wasn’t to far as I would have hated to have wasted time. We took the nearest entrance which was the Elizabeth gate.

  “Did you know that each zone is controlled by a different computer to keep each ecosystem maintained?”

  “Yes, as each section needs to be dedicated to the plants and species that live here. But did you know that David Attenborough had buried a time capsule containing seeds of basic food and endangered species within this conservatory. However, it won’t be opened until 2085 when many of the seeds it contains may be rare or even extinct?!”

  I look up to Dante as he has his mouth open and eyes wide “What?” I asked shyly.

  “The love and excitement you have for nature is refreshing as some humans and supernaturals would rather destroy the earth than save it”

  I give Dante a blinding smile before running off into the winding glass house that has been designed to look like a desert! The environment is dry with spiky cacti and succulents in different sizes. Its like a labyrinth of green and dessert brown plants where I wanted to run my hands over them, except that it would hurt as their spikes would prick me.

  The sound of a running waterfall nearby has me picking up my pace as Dante struggles to find me. There is no clear path as it is literally like a labyrinth inside with so many different turns to make.

  “Belle” Dante shouts out.

  “Over here!” I call back as I emerge into a dense and steamy zone where tropical orchids and bright bromeliads come alive. Its here that I can hear the running water but the beauty on display has me turning in every direction to take in the colours and shapes of the flowers. I head over to the small pound where a spectacular giant waterlily called Victoria amazonica floats in the water.

  “Did you know these flowers open at sunset, filling the air with a strong perfume scent that is different to everyone. However, once pollinated they turn to bright pink by morning?” Dante tells me as I stare into the water.

  “There massive” I say as I take in how big the leaves are, I reckon their about two meters long as they nearly take up the whole of the surface.

  “I never would have taken you for a nature nerd” I tell him as I run my hands over nearby rocks. There are so many trees, plant, rocks and small gardens that I feel like I’m in a hidden garden

  “I’m not. But even I can see and appreciate the beauty before me” He says looking down at me, somehow I don’t think his talking about the plants as he gazes longing into my eyes.

  “Dante?”

  “Yes, Belle”

  “Can you tell me about yourself and the beast?” I need to know more before the curiosity and questions eat me al
ive.

  “Only if you tell me how you can breathe underwater?” He counters.

  I’m quick to take the opportunity up, to learn about him “Deal” I said as I link my arm through his as we continue to walk around.

  “Where should I start?”