by Day Leclaire
Gianna’s breath caught. Okay, it didn’t take a mental genius to add up those clues. He planned to propose. She chose her response with care. “There’s nothing I can say, is there? I mean, it’s still a future surprise, not an actual proposition.” She hesitated. “Is it?”
“Not yet. But I’m hoping to hear a loud, excited ‘Yes, David, I will’ in the very near future.”
Gianna bit down on her lower lip. Gently disengaging their hands, she glanced out the passenger window at Dantes’ corporate offices while she fought for control. Why now? Why tonight of all nights? She strongly suspected Constantine would be at the gala. In fact, knowing her family, she could pretty much guarantee it. How could she possibly consider starting an affair, let alone an engagement, with another man while he stood in the wings watching with that fierce, predatory hunger?
Gianna shivered at the thought. She could pretty much guarantee that if she and Constantine had been dating for three months their relationship would have been consummated long ago, whether they’d planned to wait or not. They wouldn’t have been able to help themselves. No doubt, he’d have hustled her to the altar at the earliest moment, considering his family was as “old-fashioned,” not to mention “antiquated,” as hers.
She spared David a brief glance. She always knew this moment would come, when David would force her to make a choice between settling for second best or being alone. She hoped she’d have more time. That her feelings for him would change. But they hadn’t and she’d have to make a decision about him. Soon.
He pulled into the parking garage beneath Dantes and slipped into the space reserved for VIP guests. Unbuckling both their seat belts, he surprised her by leaning across the console and kissing her, his warm lips wandering across hers. She allowed the embrace, attempted to lose herself in it.
More than anything, she wanted to fall for David. Wanted The Inferno to strike with someone who wanted her as much as he did. Who would put her first in his life instead of picking her up when he found time, an afterthought he could discard whenever he tired of her. And why, when David kissed her with such hunger were her thoughts consumed by Constantine? She pulled back, pasting a smile on her face.
“Well?” David prompted softly.
She avoided his gaze. “I need some time,” she replied.
He stilled, his expression cooling. “Time. Time to decide about New York? Or time to respond to my surprise?”
“I’m a little distracted by the gala,” she explained, avoiding a direct answer. “I also need to check my calendar.”
He lifted a light brown eyebrow. “Does that mean you’re interested in a romantic weekend and all that entails?”
“I’m interested in discussing it,” she temporized. She checked her watch and winced when she saw the time. “I’m sorry, David. I need to get inside. Could we table our discussion until later?”
“Table our discussion,” he repeated.
Gianna sighed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so businesslike.”
“That’s fine. I get it.”
Without another word he exited the car. Circling the Jag, he opened her door and helped her out. They walked in silence to the elevators, the silence deepening as they shot upward to the appropriate floor.
The instant she stepped into the hallway, she sensed Constantine. He was nearby. Her reaction, primal and fierce, made her think of jungle animals responding to the pheromones of their mates. Part of her wanted to leave David’s side and search through the warren of corridors until she found Constantine.
She closed her eyes and took a deep, steadying breath. This had to stop. Now. She couldn’t remain on this emotional roller coaster. Pushing emotion aside she focused on logic and practicality. If she caved to desire, she’d be lost. She needed to focus on David d’Angelo. But with every step she took, all her senses remained tuned to one man. Consumed by him.
Constantine Romano. The man who’d stolen her heart and
soul.
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Meet Day Leclaire
I love family first and foremost, which is why writing a family saga is so much fun. Maybe you can tell that from my books since they always feature the warmth and joy that comes from having a close-knit family. I also love animals and have taken in rescue dogs and cats and fostered dogs for the local animal shelter. And of course, I love writing. All I need is a functioning brain (batteries not included), a pen, and paper, and I can write anywhere. Please don’t let a conversation with me lag because my imagination takes over and I. Am. Checked. Out!
USA Today bestselling author, Day Leclaire is the author of more than 60 novels and has received an impressive eleven nominations for the romance industry's most prestigious award, Romance Writers of America RITA© Award. Day lives in Charlotte, NC and spends her days obsessively writing while vaguely remembering to pay attention to her adorable husband, busy son and daughter-in-law, two tiny grandchildren, and two even tinier Teddy Bear dogs. Not to mention a whole lot of dust!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read The Dante Inferno: The Dante Dynasty Series. I hope you enjoy this very special Italian-American family. I love hearing from my readers. For a personal response, please contact me at [email protected]. And be sure to visit my website. Sign up for my newsletter for my latest releases and insider info available nowhere else!
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Dedication
To the Tottons.
Every single amazing one of them!
Thank you for your constant support and love.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Cover Design by Melyssa Naujoks 2019
Copyright © 2019 by Day Totton Smith. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. ISBN-13: 9781939925282
Copyright © 2010 Dante’s Marriage Pact by Day Totton Smith. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. ISBN-13: 9780373730704
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