Page 42 of Do It For Me

“Are you—Is that—”

“Oh, sorry.”

He starts to pull away, but I wrap my legs and arms around him. His heartbeat pounds louder against my chest.

“Lana—”

“Don’t leave.”

He sighs. “Do you want me to cover up?”

“No... I’m sorry I can’t go on, but—”

“It’s not—I don’t control it.”

A giggle escapes me at his defeated, embarrassed tone. He laughs too, pressing a kiss to my head as his hand continues to stroke my back.

“Do you want to watch something?”

“I’d like to.”

And we spend the rest of the night like this—naked, holding each other, watching romance movies.

I don’t want to fall asleep because that means waking up tomorrow, and waking up means returning to my father. But my eyes close on their own after the third movie.

I think I could get used to this. I’d like to spend the rest of my life like this.

I’d like to be with him.

Forever.

HELP

“Eleven o’clock,” my father says. “Wasn’t I clear?”

Dante’s hand tightens on my hip. “I brought her home safe and sound.”

My father narrows his eyes at him, then shifts his gaze to me.

“You. Inside.”

I clench my fists but glance at Dante, offering him a shy smile before retreating to the living room. I can’t hear their conversation anymore, but I can sense Dante’s frustration as he speaks to my father.

Mum approaches me with a sad smile. She has new bruises on her face, and my stomach twists because I know it’s my fault.

“How was it?” she asks in a whisper.

“Dante knows how to cook. I didn’t know men could do that!”

Her smile softens.

“Some of them can.” She brushes her hand gently against my cheek. “If you need any advice, pet, I can—”

A slap cuts her off. I freeze.

“Go to our room,” my father commands.

Mum glances at me with wide, panicked eyes. I nod slowly, and she runs upstairs without another word.