The Mafia Prince's obsession (MM)

Dante

After cornering Elijah I had to cancel my plans with Maya. Told her something work related came up and had to raincheck. I would feel bad if she did at least look disappointed by me canceling our plans, but she wasn't affected at all.

By the time I was back in my car, my thoughts ran to the man who has consumed me so much. I pulled out my phone, dailing him.

When his voice came through, soft but wary, my lips curled into a smirk. "Fiammetta," I drawled, letting the nickname settle in the air. "Be ready in an hour."

Elijah sighed, I could vividly picture him rolling his eyes. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"And you're irresistible, " I countered smoothly. "Now stop pretending to be annoyed. I'll see you soon. "

I ended the call before he could argue, my chest tight with anticipation. He might resist, but I had no intentions of letting him out of my clashes, at least not now.

The restaurant was quiter than I had expected. I picked a place tucked away from prying eyes, a cozy Italian spot and Elijah was seated across from me. My focus entirely on him.

He sighed, relaxing into his chair just a bit. "You're very intense, you know that?"

I smirked. "I've been told. But you seem to handle it well."

"Do I?" He quipped, a small smile playing on his lips.

"You're still sitting here, aren't you?" I raised a brow. "Most people would have run away by now. "

"Trust me, the thought crossed my mind."

I let out a low laugh, leaning back in my chair. "But you didn't. That's what I like about you, Fiammetta. You've got guts."

"Guts? For putting up with you?" He shot back, his smile growing, and shit! The way I wanna fly across the table and feel those captivating lips on me again.

"Exactly. " My grin was wicked. "Not everyone can keep up with me. Bit you? You suprise me."

He rolled his eyes but didn't hide the blush creeping up his neck. "You're impossible. "

"And yet, you're still here," I teased, my voice dropping a little, making it almost purr.

Elijah's mouth opened, probably to deliver some sharp retort, but I cut him off. "Tell me about the animal center you visit. The one you never stop talking about in your head."

He blinked. "What– how do you even know about that?"

"I have my ways," I say smoothly. "Now, spill. What's special about it."

For a moment he looked at me suspiciously but then his expression softened. "It's.....peaceful," he admitted . "I like being around animals. They don't judge or expect anything. They're just there, you know? And sometimes, when everything feels too much, it's the only place where I feel like I can breathe. "

My chest tightened again, but I masked it with a grin. "See? That's exactly what I mean. "

"What?" He asked, his brows furrowing.

"You're full of surprises." I say, my tone light but my gaze warm. "I never thought someone who grew up I'm our world have a soft spot for animals. It's adorable. "

"I'm not adorable, " he shot back, glaring.

"You are." I leaned forward, my smirk widening. "Especially when you're pouting like that"

He groaned, covering his face with his hands. "Why am I even here with you?"

"Because you like me," I say confidently.

He peeked through his fingers , his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, absolutely. Can't resist your charm."

"Exactly. " I winked