Raise Your Heart

Chapter 9

It was the second time in one night, Trinity's jaw dropped. She must look like a frog about to catch flies. Did her ears defy her? Dante wasn't going to give up on her. He really did love her. He looked so...cute. If he were a chameleon, he would be bright green right now. His face screamed jealous.

While it was true she had been on a handful of dates, none of the men compared to Dante. They were nothing more than a fun night out and that was that. Dante's imagination was definitely running away from him. It was written all over his face and stiff body language.

A familiar swirling sensation formed in her belly and was starting to work its way up into her chest, her throat and into her mouth. There was no way she was going to be able to hold it back. No way. An eruption was about to take place.

Her delicate fingers flew to her lips to try to suppress it. She breathed in and out, even closed her eyes to no avail. It was hopeless as she busted out laughing.

Poor Dante! Here he was pouring his heart out, and she couldn't help herself. She was laughing at him. Actually, she was laughing even harder at his current expression. It was something she would have never done in the past. But that was her old self. Her new self was more so her true hidden identity. And it had the tendency to laugh at things from time to time. Unfortunately, and surprisingly, Dante was her victim this time around. 

"I'm...I'm so sorry, Dante. Y-your face," she wiped the tears away from her eyes, "Let them know...I'm coming for what's mine," she mocked, her voice low. "You're too funny. I can't."

"You are very lucky we are in public, Ms. Aldi. Do you know that?"

Trinity glanced around aware of a few curious eyes on them. Did they know he was a mob boss? The thought sobered her to the reality of his power. A power that seemed to agree with him.

"Why's that?" her voice dipped sultry. She didn't mean for it to. Did she? It was the new expression on Dante's face that was easy to blame. She wasn't immune. No one would be. Regardless of her feelings about a relationship, Dante was hot. Anyone with a pulse would agree. So it was his fault for making her feel...just feel.

"Are you flirting with me?" Dante toyed with the corner of his napkin.

No way she would admit it. "Maybe. Maybe not," she shrugged.

A smirk lifted his lips. "The dessert here is horrible. I think we should go somewhere else after dinner."

"Like where? Gills? I love their ice cream." Trinity's brain quickly switched gears at the mention of dessert. She hadn't even eaten dinner yet.

"If you'd like. We could...take it back to my place."

The suggestion was made nonchalant, but he was staring her down. Was this a challenge? Along with funny and sexy Dante, Trinity liked playful Dante too. This was...fun. He was so warm towards her. So loving. How would it be to let go for once and continue to act, and be, how she always wanted? Carpe diem was always the theme Dante was trying to impart upon her. Why not really seize the day? Why not really live for once? Sure she was already living on her own terms, and all of that jazz, but why not truly live to feel this time? Trinity bit down on her lip. The nervous undercurrent she felt walking into the restaurant was quickly evaporating. 

Again, she raised her shoulder and let it drop. "Why not? I always find that to be a great way to end a date." She bit her cheek to stop herself from laughing. Instead, she looked at his lips then up to his eyes before dropping them back down to the mouth that had kissed her the other day.

This poor man was being put through the ringer with his emotions. She was a horrible person. But, she couldn't seem to help herself. Making him jealous was fascinating and amusing. Although, a part of her didn't believe he was taking her too seriously. His murderous expression was quickly masked this time.