Dante's Angel Read Online Free PDF Page B

end of their
shifts, but when it came to her, Dante’s concern bordered on fanatical.
    At first,
she’d been insulted by the way he acted as if she couldn’t be trusted to cross
the street on her own. That was, until she realized just how fiercely
protective he was of her. She liked that he cared about her. When he thought
she was working too hard, he would jump in and lend a hand or harass her until
she took a break. When he didn’t think she was eating enough, he shoved food at
her and bitched until she ate.
    People often
commented that she and Dante fought like an old married couple, and even though
he did annoy her at times, the idea of it pleased her immensely. Still,
uncertainty plagued her thoughts. Zoe had fallen for him, and she knew, without
a doubt, it was more than a passing crush. But Dante wasn’t a man who kept
women around for long once he had them, and she wasn’t looking to become
another of his castoffs.
    Self incrimination
struck her. That wasn’t fair. Dante wouldn’t be putting so much effort into
getting her if he was just planning to toss her aside as soon as she gave in to
him. No relationship came with guarantees, and it was wrong of her to demand
one before being with Dante.
    But Zoe’s past
made it difficult to even consider having a future with him.
    Pushing aside
her frustration at the mess that was her life, she focused back on their
conversation and realized that Dante was scowling at her as he waited for her
to respond to his insulting reaction to her walking to the bar by herself.
Keeping her tone light, she said, “It’s only four blocks. I was fine.”
    “Stubborn
woman.” Dante snorted with disgust. “I’ll take you home now. We’re going to
have a couple of hard weeks, and we have the anniversary party coming up. You
need to get some fucking sleep,” he snapped. “Don’t push me, Zoe.”
    “You mean like
you’re pushing me? You’re such a bossy bastard sometimes.”
    “Damn right I
am.”
    “I know we’re
going to be busy this week, but remember, I’m off on Tuesday.”
    His scowl
deepened. “Damn it. We’ve got spring breakers in all week. I need you here.”
    The irritation
in his voice didn’t bother her. It wasn’t like she hadn’t told him that she was
taking Tuesday off. The bar was usually closed on Mondays, but they were open
this week for the spring breakers that flooded the town. Dante usually made
sure that all the staff members took at least one other day off during the
week, but right now it was all hands on deck.
    “I’m going
wedding dress shopping with Kali and the girls on Tuesday.” She paused before
asking, “Are you willing to tell them I can’t go?”
    Dante winced. “Hell,
no. Those women would kill me.” He paused before adding, “Then Hammer would
drive over my bloody remains for upsetting Kali.”
    She smirked at
him. “Yeah, he probably would.”        
    “Don’t sound
so happy about it. Fine. Whatever. I’m taking you home now.”
    “I don’t need—hey!”
She tried to jerk away when he gripped her arm.
    There was a
storm in his eyes as he used his hold on her to pull her closer, so close that
she felt his breath on her lips. His voice lowered to a furious hiss. “Either I
take you home, or I take you on the goddamn bar floor. Right here. Right now.
Make your choice.”
    Sensing the
seriousness of his words, she stopped arguing. He was too close to losing
control to push him any further. “Okay, caveman. You can walk me home.”
    He grunted at
the use of her own nickname for him, and let her go easily when she pulled her
arm from his grasp. It pissed her off that she was still left feeling shaken. Even
though he’d grabbed her firmly, he had been careful. It was one of the
dichotomies that was Dante Fox. He was bad-tempered, even surly at times, yet
he was always gentle with her when he touched her.
    When she had
first met Dante, his intensity had frightened her, but as she’d gotten to know
him better,