Dangerous Melodies - Chapter 32: Chapter 32

MARISOL
Dante was in the process of removing his crisp white shirt, revealing a broad, muscular chest, half-covered by an intricate dragon tattoo that coiled across his chest and shoulder.
Each inked line looked like a secret I hadn’t earned the right to uncover.
The sight of him was imposing, unapologetically male, and it sent a shiver racing down my spine, equal parts fear and anticipation.
Why does he always look like danger wrapped in temptation?
The intensity of his presence made me feel suddenly exposed.
I hesitated, my confidence faltering as I moved forward.
Bare feet moving silently over the hardwood floor, I stepped into view and let my gaze fall.
My arms wrapped around myself, an instinctive shield against the weight of his stare.
His eyes locked on me, and something deep in my chest braced for judgment that hadn’t yet come.
He looked up, his breath catching.
The look in his eyes was unguarded, quietly stunned.
It stripped the hardness from his expression.
He stared at me like I was something he hadn’t expected to see.
His gaze traveled slowly, lingering on the soft pink warming my cheeks, the lace hugging the swell of my breasts, the curve of my hips and legs.
I felt exposed beneath it.
He moved toward me with slow, purposeful steps, reading every inch of my hesitation.
Something in my chest tightened.
He wasn’t just looking.
He was taking me in.
And it rattled me.
But there was no mockery in his expression, only something tender.
Almost awed.
When he reached me, he lifted my chin gently, coaxing me to meet his eyes.
"You look beautiful," he said, his voice low, his gaze warm and startlingly sincere.
The words wrapped around something fragile inside me.
My chest eased, tension melting from my shoulders, but my heart still pounded as he took my hand and led me toward the bed.
Each step I took with him, the nerves pressing against my ribs began to ease, soothed by the steady heat of his gaze.
He closed the distance between us and stopped just short of touching.
Then his hands found my shoulders, steady and warm.
Slowly, his fingers trailed down my arms in a gentle caress, leaving shivers skimming my skin in their wake.
His fingers found the sash of my robe.
Every movement held a quiet intensity I hadn’t expected, like I was something precious.
His touch was light but full of intent, and it sparked a deep ache low in my belly.
When the robe slipped free, he didn’t rush.
He let it fall naturally, the transparent material sliding off my shoulders like water.
His eyes, dark with focus, never left mine.
That gaze held everything: hunger, restraint, awe.
It bridged the small space between us with tension so thick I could barely breathe.
Cool air kissed my newly exposed skin, tightening my nipples.
The contrast only heightened the heat rising between us.
His hands slipped beneath the robe, grazing my bare shoulders.
Every pass of his fingertips sent sparks straight through me.
I wanted to turn, to hide, but my body leaned in instead.
I trust him.
He eased the robe down my arms, letting it fall to the floor.
My breath caught, my nerves fluttering like wings in my chest.
My instinct screamed to cover myself, but I stayed still, held by the look in his eyes.
His fingers traced my collarbone with a surprising gentleness, skimming over my skin.
When he cupped my face, his thumbs brushed softly over my cheeks.
Then he leaned in and kissed me.
It was tender.
Exploring.
Inviting me to respond.
And I did.
His lips left mine to trail kisses down my neck.
A gasp slipped out as his mouth found that sensitive place near my collarbone.
My hands pressed against his chest, steadying me to the solid warmth of him.
His hands moved with purpose, tender and unhurried as they mapped my body.
He grazed my breasts through the sheer fabric of my lingerie, fingers teasing.
When he cupped me fully, his thumb brushed over my nipple.
A soft moan escaped me.
His touch grew firmer, his palms gliding down my back in long, slow sweeps.
Then he moved lower, tracing the curve of my hips before settling on my ass, caressing gently.
The sensation sparked a jolt through me, my heart pounding against my ribs.
A soft gasp escaped against his mouth.
Pleasure rippled through me, making my knees weak.
I could feel everything in the way he held me.
His strength.
His desire.
He slipped the straps of my lingerie off my shoulders.
The fabric slithered down, pooling at my feet.
Now I was bare.
Almost.
Then he dropped to his knees.
He’s kneeling. I couldn’t believe it, not after what he said just days ago, swearing he’d never kneel for anyone. Least of all me. But here he is. Kneeling. For me.
His hands slid up the backs of my thighs, slow and certain, thumbs hooking the band of my thong.
He eased it down inch by inch, dragging the sheer fabric past my hips, down my legs, until it joined the rest at my feet.
Then he leaned in, his breath warm against my skin, and pressed a soft kiss to my mound.
Not rushed.
Not greedy.
Just... tender.
Like he was memorizing me.
My breath stuttered.
Every nerve ending lit up.
He rose then, his arms wrapping around me like I was something treasured.
He lifted me with such ease I barely had time to react.
A soft sound escaped my throat as my arms curled around his neck.
I held on, letting his strength calm the quiver still moving through me.
He laid me on the bed with care, his movements unhurried.
His eyes stayed on mine the entire time.
The way he looked at me was intense.
It made me feel seen.
Wanted.
Cherished.
He stretched out beside me, one arm slipping beneath my shoulders as the other traced the line of my waist.
His touch didn’t rush.
It lingered.
Explored.
I lay there, my skin tingling under his gaze.
My breasts bare, nipples tight from the cool air.
I should have felt exposed.
But what I felt was connection.
Something quiet and deep.
Something that made me want to let go.
His lips found mine again in a deep, lingering kiss.
The warmth of him, the strength of him, sent waves of anticipation rolling through my chest.
Then he moved over me, his body lowering slowly, gently, until he pressed against me.
He braced himself on his forearms, careful with his weight, his heat sinking into me.
As he kissed me, his hands began to roam, rediscovering me now that I lay beneath him.
My breath caught, my pulse thudding beneath his fingers.
His thumbs circled my nipples slowly, and a soft gasp slipped from my lips.
They peaked under his touch, tingling, hard, aching.
He held my gaze, and I couldn’t look away, caught in the heat of his eyes.
Wonder and uncertainty tangled inside me.
"I love how you respond to my touch," he murmured, a pleased smile curving his lips as he lowered his mouth to my breast.
When his lips closed around my nipple, a jolt of sensation raced straight to my core.
My head tipped back, breath breaking in shallow bursts as he sucked gently, teasing my skin into a firm, sensitive peak.
The heat of his mouth, the soft pull, the wet flick of his tongue pushed me deeper into need.
His tongue slid across me again, and my hips jerked in anticipation.
A fresh wave of desire surged through me.
My chest lifted to meet him, my nipples now throbbing, so sensitive I thought I might shatter beneath the next stroke.
A moan slipped out before I could stop it.
I didn’t care.
He was unraveling me, and I wanted more.
His hand drifted lower, tracing the curve of my waist before cupping my most intimate area.
My heart pounded.
His fingers were warm, sure, coaxing me to open to him.
I was already slick, already aching, my body betraying how much I needed this.
When his hand slid between my thighs, everything stilled.
Every breath.
Every thought.
I knew what was coming next.
And I was ready for it.