Chapter 10 - His Most Dangerous Investment
Six months later.
The summer sun warmed the private stone terrace of Dante’s Lake Forest estate, casting a shimmering sheet of gold across the endless blue waters of Lake Michigan.
Below, on the sprawling emerald lawn, two dozen round tables were draped in ivory linen, adorned with white hydrangeas and crystal flutes. It was not a gathering of underworld criminals or corrupt politicians; it was a private celebration for the launch of the Clark Foundation for Healthcare Debt Relief—a non-profit trust funded by a fifty-million-dollar endowment from Costa Enterprises.
I stood on the upper veranda, wearing a simple, flowing white silk sundress, the heavy emerald engagement ring glinting brilliantly on my finger.
A pair of strong, familiar arms wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling my back flush against a broad, rock-solid chest. Dante rested his chin on the crown of my head, inhaling the lavender scent of my hair, his hands resting gently over mine on the stone balustrade.
""The board of directors is completely seated,"" Dante murmured into my ear, his deep baritone vibrating with immense satisfaction. ""Your father’s old accounting professor just arrived from Boston. He’s telling everyone that his favorite student is running the most ethical charitable fund in the Midwest.""
""He doesn't know that my favorite student activity was failing microeconomics,"" I laughed, leaning back against his chest, feeling safe, complete, and utterly adored.
""You don't need microeconomics, sweetheart,"" Dante whispered, his lips grazing the sensitive skin beneath my ear. ""You have instincts. And you have me.""
""Are you ever going to let me live down the granola bar?"" I asked, turning in his embrace, wrapping my arms around his neck, looking up into those dark obsidian eyes that held my entire future.
Dante’s mouth curved into that slow, devastating smirk that had stopped my heart on the fifty-second floor seven months ago.
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small, golden-wrapped bar of oats and honey, and held it up between us with a wink.
""Never,"" Dante said softly, leaning down until his lips brushed against mine. ""It was the best investment I ever made.""
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I smiled against his mouth, pulling him down into a slow, lingering kiss that tasted of summer, wine, and the sweet, unbreakable promise of forever.
The clumsy girl who couldn't stop making mistakes had finally found the one place where she would never fall again: right in the arms of the man who ruled her heart."
