Tempted by My Ex’s Brother

THIRTEEN

Lily's POV

I had never taken so long to get ready for anything in my life. My hands shook so badly that I had to set the eyeliner down twice just to breathe. I wasn’t nervous about the engagement ceremony itself, at least that’s what I told myself.

And then there was Dante. Knowing he would be picking me up, standing beside me, watching me, and be engaged to me. It made my stomach twist in a way I couldn’t fully explain—not dread exactly, not excitement either, but something heavy and confusing between the two. Dante was an incredibly attractive man, and from that night alone with him I knew I was attracted to him in a way.

But it had happened all too fast and was now all too confusing. How was I supposed to feel about being engaged to him.

I stared at my reflection. My makeup looked polished enough, even though I had redone my lipstick three times because my hands wouldn’t stop trembling. The dress I chose was a deep ruby color, fitted at the waist, elegant without being dramatic. Dante told me I needed to “more elegant than I already was". He was going to be claiming me publicly after all.

“Okay,” I whispered to myself. “You can do this.”

A knock came at my door right as I finished adjusting my earrings. "It's me" I heard that deep voice that I would recognize even I'm my sleep, it was Dante. I turned around and walked towards the door. When I opened the door, he stood there in a charcoal black suit that looked like it had been tailored directly onto his body. His eyes traveled slowly from the top of my head to the tips of my shoes. His expression didn’t change much, but I saw his lips pulled back in a smile, one of approval.

“You’re ready,” he said simply.

I nodded. “I think so.” I replied to him.

He offered his arm, and I hesitated for only a second before looping mine through his. "You look beautiful" he said with a kind smile and I felt myself blushing, I looked away, unable to meet his eyes and mumbled a thank you.

Dante took my arm and led me away to the venue that had been prepared for the engagement. The private venue was nothing like I imagined. It was Intimate yet extravagant, decorated with warm lighting, soft golds and deep wines. Everything looked intentional, curated, like a world Dante had created specifically to swallow me whole.

People turned when we walked in. Not with judgment the way I half-expected. More with curiosity, interest… approval even. I felt my cheeks heat, and I instinctively stepped half behind Dante, but he immediately shifted closer, guiding me forward.

“Stay with me,” he murmured, low enough that only I heard.

“I wasn’t going anywhere,” I whispered back.

He raised his brows and gave me a mock smile before continuing to walk. He introduced me to people I’d only ever seen from afar. Business partners, friends of his parents, higher-ups from organizations I didn’t even know he worked with. And every time someone addressed me, Dante’s hand remained warm and firm at my back, like he was silently telling the entire room, This is her. Mine. Treat her accordingly.

“Your fiancée is stunning,” one older woman said to him at one point.

“I’m aware.” Dante replied cockily with pride dripping in his voice. The way he said it made my stomach flip again. I tried to smile politely, but it felt shaky. I didn’t feel stunning. I felt overwhelmed, like I was playing a role I hadn’t learned the lines for.

But Dante guided me so effortlessly that for a moment, it really did feel like I belonged beside him. As if being next to him somehow made me… more.

Soon an announcement was made for the dancefloor to be clear for I and Dante's first dance. I felt my heart racing in nervousness. Dante turned to me. “Come.” he said softly, like he could already feel how nervous I was.

I blinked. “You mean—right now?” I said hesitantly.

“It’s our engagement banquet,” he said, lightly taking my hand. “We’re expected to have a first dance.”

My heart jumped into my throat. People were already watching and waiting for us to begin. I let him lead me to the center of the room.

The moment his hands settled around my waist, my breath stuttered—not because the touch was inappropriate, but because of how natural it felt. Like I had been standing in the wrong place my whole life and hadn’t realized it until he pulled me into the right one.

We moved slowly, almost effortlessly, and for the first few seconds I focused only on keeping my breathing normal, my steps steady. Then Dante leaned closer, his lips brushing near my ear.

“Relax.” he said to me.

“I am relaxed,” I lied.

His hand slid slightly lower on my back, barely noticeable, but enough to make me inhale sharply. “No,” he murmured. “You’re trembling.”

I hated that he noticed. “It’s just… a lot.” I admitted.

His eyes softened, just a fraction. “I know.” he said in an understanding voice. We danced like that, too close, too slow, too much, for several long, dizzying moments. Then, without warning, he tipped my chin up with two fingers.

“Dante—?”

He leaned down and suddenly I felt his lips on mine. I stilled at the realisation of what just happened. He kissed me. In front of everyone. The sound in the room fell away instantly, replaced by the thunder of my heartbeat. His mouth was warm, firm, and nothing like I expected. It wasn’t a gentle engagement-formality kiss. It was possession. A claim. A statement.

I felt heat bloom through my entire body so fast I nearly forgot to breathe. My fingers curled tightly against his shoulder, not to pull him closer but because I genuinely felt like my knees might give out.

When he finally pulled back, people started to cheer and applaud us. I couldn’t even look at anyone. I stared at Dante, trying to steady my breathing, but he looked calm, composed, like what he’d done was the most natural thing in the world. My voice came out hoarse. “You didn’t warn me.” I said with my cheeks bright red.

“You wouldn’t have let me,” he said.

“I—Dante, that…”

“You’re mine now,” he murmured softly, too soft for anyone else to hear. “There’s no reason to act ashamed of it.”

Hours passed in a blur after that. Those hours were filled with conversations, congratulations, champagne I barely tasted. Dante never left my side, and every time someone spoke to me, he had a hand on my waist or the small of my back or brushing my fingers lightly. Those tiny touches that sent sparks running up my spine. By the time the evening ended, I was exhausted.

Dante managed to swoop us out and before I knew it, we were in the car. “You’ll be staying at the penthouse from now on.” Dante suddenly said to me.

I blinked at him. “What?” I blurted out.

He didn’t look away from the road. “It’s necessary.” he shrugged.

“For what exactly?” I raised my brows.

He exhaled through his nose. “The engagement is public now. You’re expected to live with me. And your treatment routine requires supervision. We're now officially a couple to the public eye” he explained.

I just knew I couldn't argue with him.