VITTORIO'S MISTRESS (The Vittorio Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

you should give him a chance.”
    “ What?   Not two minutes ago you were adamant about me not even going to dinner with him and now you’re telling me I should go with the flow and see where it leads?”
    Chantel laughed.   “You see what you’ve done?   I’ve become as wishy washy as you are!   Seriously, Paige, I think putting all the options out there has made me question my original stance.   On one hand, I know how crushed you’ll be if things don’t work out between you and Dante, not just for yourself but for Daniella too.   On the other hand, if you never give him a chance you’ll spend the rest of your long, lonely days wondering if you let the love of your life slip through your fingers.”
    Paige scowled at her.   “You’re not helping much.   Regardless of your somewhat valid arguments, I think I should stick to my original plan.   I’ve done just fine without Dante Vittorio so far, I’m sure I won’t die if…if I never see him again.”
    “Maybe not physically,” Chantel said solemnly, “but what about inside?”
    Paige thought about the past four years.   She’d felt like a hollowed out shell all during her pregnancy but that had changed the moment the nurse had placed Daniella in arms.   Maybe having Dante’s baby hadn’t completely filled the void in her heart but it had certainly pulled her out of the dark depression she’d fallen into and given her a reason to live.   Chantel was right about one thing; if she let things progress as Dante obviously wanted them to and it didn’t work out, she’d be crushed.
    “I’ll be fine,” Paige said, but she knew she wasn’t fooling anyone, least of all herself.  
    “I have a suggestion.   Just listen before you shoot me down,” Chantel insisted when Paige rolled her eyes.   “Instead of deliberately ruining your chances with Dante or trying so hard to make it work, why don’t you just…wing it?”
    Paige arched a brow.   “ Wing it?   That’s the best advice you could come up with?”
    “Let me rephrase that.   What I’m trying to say is that you should play it by ear and just let things happen naturally.”
    “Easy for you to say,” Paige said with wistful sigh.   “What comes natural for me is to melt like a pat of butter in a hot skillet whenever Dante kisses me.”
    “In that case, I only have one more suggestion.   It may sound a bit odd but I guarantee it will keep you from hopping into bed with him.”
    Paige eyed Chantel warily.   “I know I’m going to regret this, but tell me anyway.”
    “Wear the oldest, holiest pair of underwear you own.   I’m totally serious,” Chantel said when Paige started giggling.   “Think about it.   There you are getting all hot and heavy and he starts to peel off your clothes.   All you have to do is imagine the look on Dante’s face when he sees in you a pair of tattered white cotton panties and a shapeless bra and you won’t have any problem turning him down.”
                                              ***
    Dante was a little piqued when Paige came outside and soundly closed the door behind her before he’d even had time to get out of the car.   Was she afraid to let him inside?   Even as forceful as he’d been at the park, surely she didn’t think he’d try to make her do anything she didn’t want to.   Or was it possible she didn’t trust herself to be alone with him?   He liked that idea a whole lot better than believing she was worried he’d press her into having sex with him before she was ready.   He’d have to be doubly careful to make sure he didn’t do anything that was even remotely threatening.
    He strode casually up the walkway to meet her and brushed a light kiss to her cheek.   “You look incredible, cara .”
    Paige thanked him in a breathless whisper because incredible didn’t even begin to describe how good Dante looked.   He’d worn black slacks and a crisp white shirt that made his natural tan