Free A Slow-Burning Dance by Ravenna Tate Page B

Saturday morning.”
    “I
want to believe it.”
    “But
you don’t.” He pulled her close and stroked her hair, which was such an
unexpected gesture that she was at a loss for words. “It’s all right. I
understand. Everyone you loved was taken from you, and it’s difficult to trust
in anything again. I’m the same way.”
    She
pulled out of his embrace to look into his eyes. “What do you mean?”
    “I
mean I’m the same way, or I used to be. It’s why I went from woman to woman for
so many years. I was afraid. I didn’t want to trust in anyone because everyone
I loved left me.”
    She
swallowed hard against the sudden lump in her throat. Not even Santino had ever
admitted feeling this way, but she knew he did. To hear Damien voice it aloud,
and tell her he understood her reluctance to trust in this relationship, was
like a breath of fresh air— real fresh
air.
    “I
don’t want to be this way any longer,” she said, “but I don’t know how to
change. How did you do it?”
    “It’s
not a pretty story.”
    “Will
you tell me anyway?”
    “I
will, but first I want to hear more about what Santino said to you. It
obviously upset you.”
    “Damien,
I’m really uncomfortable telling you. He works for you. I can’t come between
him and his job. It means too much to him.”
    She
could see the struggle on his face, but wasn’t sure what he had difficulty
with. “His job is intact. I need him as much as he needs me, but you’re my niña . I won’t let any man hurt you or
make you feel insecure about us, and that includes your brother.”
    Oh,
he was so getting another blowjob later. “He said you were a player.”
    “He
doesn’t know I’ve changed. I don’t discuss my personal life with my employees.”
    “I
tried to tell him you had, but he wouldn’t hear it.”
    Damien
sighed, but his expression wasn’t angry, and for that she was grateful. “I’ll
speak to him.”
    “What
will you say? I don’t want him to think I asked you to run interference for me.
Santino and I have always been close, even if he is a bit too overprotective. I
don’t want him to think I no longer trust him.”
    “He’s
overprotective because he loves you so much. You’re all he has left.”
    She
had to take a couple of deep breaths before she spoke. “I realize that, but I’m
not a child. I can make my own decisions.”
    “Did
you tell him that?”
    “Of
course I did, but you’ve never seen him in full big brother mode.”
    Damien
looked thoughtful for a few seconds, and then he smiled. “I have an idea. Why
don’t we do something with him this weekend? Let him see us together. Then
he’ll realize I’m not trying to hurt you and I might not have to say anything
at all. Unless he asks. If he confronts me about the way I used to be, thinking
I’m still that way, then I’ll speak with him about it and clear the air. Okay?”
    “Okay.
Thank you. That’s a better idea. That way it’s him bringing up the subject, not
you, and Santino won’t think I’ve put you up to it.”
    “I
want to show him I’m not out to hurt you. He needs to be set straight on my
intentions toward you.”
    She
grinned at the old-fashioned sentiment. “What exactly are your intentions
toward me, Mr. Rivera?”
    His
gaze turned dark and lust-filled, and Sela wondered if they’d make it to the
club. Right now, she didn’t care if they ended up here for the night. “My
intentions, Miss Chavez, are first of all to make you so hot and wet for me
that you can’t even think of looking at another man ever again.”
    I’m already there.
    “Secondly,
I intend to make you so crazy about me that you fall at my feet and do anything
I ask you to do.”
    “Oh
my…” Sela pretended to swoon, but Damien wasn’t quite ready for her theatrics
and almost didn’t catch her in time. They both laughed until they were wiping
their eyes, and then Sela grabbed her bag again and they went outdoors.
    On
the way to Paraíso, the club they were