CARINA

42: HOW CUTE AND CUTE YOU ARE

DANTE'S POV

WE managed to get to my room before my lips immediately went to hers and I kissed her with urgency. The moment she confessed to me again, all I wanted was to bring her back home so I rushed her to my car and struggled so hard to keep my hands to myself all the way.

I knew if I made any physical contact with her, then I wouldn't be able to stop myself from taking her right away in the car and she didn't deserve that today. I wanted to take care of her right here, in my...no, our bed

Without breaking the kiss, I walked us backward and laid her on the bed. My left hand went around her chin and the other roamed around her body. She moaned lowly when my hand made contact with her exposed skin making me groan and got even harder

"Wait" she held my hand when it almost reached her inner thigh "Um... maybe I should take my bath first" she looked up at me and I squinted my eyes

"You took one for hours before we left. I don't think you need one now" I buried my face into the crook of her neck and kissed her bared skin

She slowly pushed me away again "Then...we—you should maybe turn the lights off?" She asked with red cheeks and I chuckled lightly

"I've already seen what there is for me to see and you're perfect. No need to act all shy on me" I proceeded to kiss her again

"How about we..."

"Kenzie..." I took her hands in mine and seriously stared at her "...is something bothering you?" I asked and she shook her head unsure "You can speak to me. Remember, communication"

She took some time before she finally opened her mouth "I don't..." she started but stopped and shook her head

"Please talk to me Kenzie. It's just me, Dante. Your Dante" I pleaded and when she looked at me, she had a worrisome look on her face

"I...I don't feel like myself anymore" a tear escaped from her eye "It feels like I'm in the body of a stranger with only my memories belonging to me. I don't recognize myself with all these scars scattered over my body. He...they said they wouldn't stop hitting me until it was hard for anyone to recognize my body and they succeeded"

"Kenzie..."

"The scars...they're so ugly. The stretch marks and cut below my tummy..." she touched her stomach and smiled painfully "...even I don't want me so how could you possibly want me?" She covered her face with her palms and cried. I pulled her to me and hugged her tightly until she calmed down

I took her face in my hands and brought mine closer to her so I can get my words across "You aren't being fair because you took a decision for me and I don't remember you asking for my opinion" I smiled when she gave me a curious look

"I don't have to ask you to know what your answer would be. It's obvious and once you see my..."

"I want you" I stated firmly "With or without seeing your body first. There is nothing that can change what I feel or have felt for you. Remember when you told me my body looked beautiful even with my scars?" I looked at her remembering when she first saw the scars Stefano gave me over the years. I had been surprised she even noticed since no one had seen them because I hid them with tattoos

"I can assure you that you'd even look more prettier and sexier than you did. The cut below your belly and the stretch marks from when you bore the twins even proves the love you have for them and that makes me fucking love you more. I would do anything just so I could alter what happened to you and they deserved whatever that happened to them. Although I wish I could go back and make it several times worse for them" I brushed my lips on hers and connected our foreheads "I love you, I want you and you won't...can't push me away. I don't mind reminding you everyday about how much you mean to me"