Falling for Dante Page 12

  He remembered that? I shouldn't have read more into it, but how could I not? It was the most thoughtful gift anyone had ever given me.

  "It's not a big deal," Dante murmured with a nonchalant shrug.

  It felt like a big deal. My heart was beating an insane rhythm and emotion burned my eyes. "I can't accept these."

  "Why not?"

  "Because they're too much. All of this is too much," I stammered, gesturing wildly to the tree and gifts. "I have nothing to give you in return."

  Dante sidled closer, his thigh resting against mine. "All I want is you."

  I giggled nervously because we were starting to tread murky waters. Waters I couldn't possibly navigate with a clear head with him sitting so close. When he rested his arm behind me on the couch and started to play with my hair, I almost stopped breathing.

  "Dante, I'm not sure I-"

  "Model for me," he interrupted.

  "What?"

  "Model the clothes I bought you. I want to see you do your thing."

  "Here?"

  "Right here. Right now."

  I should have run. I should have locked myself in the spare bedroom. Whether it was the alcohol coursing through my veins, or because I did not want the night to end, I stood up on shaky legs and nodded.

  With eyes wide, Erica licked her bottom lip, stained red from all the wine we'd had over dinner. We were on our way to drunk, but I didn't care. I knew exactly what I was doing. What I was asking. I wanted to see how far she would take it.

  When she shut the door to her bedroom, I considered the possibility she might not come back. But a few minutes later, the door creaked open, and she strolled out in the leggings and fitted top.

  She'd left the top two buttons undone, and the dip of her cleavage teased me. With her shoulders thrown back and head held high, she sauntered closer, each step effortless. Her hips moved naturally and in time with the Jazz music playing in the background.

  "You look beautiful," I murmured. I downed the rest of my wine and watched as Erica came to a spot a few feet from me, leaning on one hip while she gave me a flirty smile.

  "Thank you. I don't have heels, so you can't get the full effect."

  "I'm not sure I could handle the full effect," I said with a grin. She giggled and spun back around. As she walked away, she threw a sexy wink over her shoulder that had my cock jumping to life.

  When she disappeared into the bedroom, I took several deep breaths, which did nothing to calm my racing heart. A few minutes later she returned dressed in the pair of jeans and the ratty T-shirt she'd arrived in. Without a bra. The rosy peaks of her nipples were barely hidden by her shirt.

  She was purposely trying to kill me.

  Ignoring my groan, she stopped close enough for me to touch her. "It's all about attitude. No matter what you're wearing, you have to exude confidence. But never cockiness." I reached for her, but she stepped away with a breathy giggle. "You have to move naturally. You never want to seem stiff." She looked between my legs and arched one eyebrow, taunting me and loving every minute of it.

  "Come here," I grunted.

  "I'm not done yet," she said with a sweet lilt as she bounced away.

  I threw my head back against the cushion and stared up at the ceiling. What was I doing? What the hell were we doing? No matter how much I wanted to fuck her, playing with Erica's emotions was wrong.

  I turned my head in time to see her emerge from the bedroom wrapped in the sequin dress. The expanse of her long legs was highlighted by the golden sandal straps that ran a crisscrossed pattern up her slender calves. She strutted towards me with a challenge in her eyes, and all I wanted to do was drag her onto my lap and let her ride me until tomorrow.

  "That looks amazing on you."

  "This dress would look amazing on anyone," she replied, playing with the hemline that fell mid-thigh.

  "No, it was made for you, babe."

  A small smile played on her lips, and she drew within touching distance again. Before she could pull away, I dragged her between my legs. I gazed up at her, unable to hide my desire. Her breathing picked up, and she rested her hands on my shoulders, eying me with a wariness that made my heart ache.

  "I am so sorry about Maui," I said.

  She stiffened and shook her head. "There's nothing to be sorry about."

  I traced her hip, rubbing the soft fabric that rippled like snake skin under the tips of my fingers. She shifted closer, and I wanted nothing more than to drag her into my arms and forget about talking. Forget about apologizing, since I sucked at it anyways. "Yes, there is. I was a jerk and should have handled things differently. Better."

  "You were honest."

  "I was afraid. I'm still afraid."

  She looked as shocked as I felt over my admission. "Afraid of what?"

  "Of hurting you. Of not being enough. Of needing your friendship, but wanting to fuck you over that coffee table more."

  She shivered and stepped back until my hands fell from her waist. "You don't have to make a choice. We could have it all."

  I shook my head. "Impossible."

  With a sigh, she turned away and walked back to the bedroom, ignoring me when I called her name. She was done with me. And I couldn't blame her. I closed my eyes and rested my head back against the couch. It served me right. Erica deserved more.

  As I stood up to go to bed, the door opened, and she strolled out.

  "Oh fuck." The light from the bedroom cast her in a surreal spotlight. The sheer lingerie clung to her like a second skin, her pert nipples and mound barely covered by tiny, intricate flowers. I was ready to rip that expensive fabric in two and feast on everything underneath.

  Gliding barefoot across the floor, she refused to break eye contact. If seduction was her game, then she had already won.

  "I should go to bed. We've both been drinking and-"

  "Stop," she said, forcefully pushing me back down. "I don't want to talk about the past. And I don't want to think about the future. I just want to be here. With you. Right now."

  She ran her finger along my jaw and down my neck until her hand came to rest on the crook of my neck where my pulse hammered. Grabbing a throw pillow, she placed it on the ground and settled on her knees between my legs.

  "What are you doing?" I asked. My voice came out choked and gruff.

  Her hands shook as she unbuttoned my pants and tugged at the zipper. "What does it look like I'm doing?"

  "You don't have to do that," I said, placing my hand on top of hers.

  "I want to. Teach me how to make you feel good."

  Over the last ten years, I'd dreamed of Erica taking me in her mouth too many times to count. Having her on her knees, eyes wide with wonder, lips parted in welcome, was sensory overload. I shut my eyes and reopened them, relieved to find that it was no dream.

  "Take it out," I demanded, trailing my finger over her exposed collarbone. With a shiver, she complied. When my cock sprang free, she licked her bottom lip and feasted on me with her hungry gaze.

  With a tentative smile, she wrapped her fingers around the base, jumping in surprise when my hard length lurched in her hand. Her nervous giggle tripped over my senses. The sound transformed into a sultry moan when I pinched her nipple through the luxurious fabric. I threaded my hand into her hair and tugged her closer.

  "Lick it," I whispered. Leaning forward, Erica stroked the underside with her tongue, her big blue eyes locked on mine. "Fuck yes. That feels good."

  She grew more confident, gripping the base tighter and pumping her hand as she licked and laved the crown.

  "Touch yourself, babe. Use your fingers to get yourself off."

  She hesitated for a second, but then placed one hand between her legs, eyes dipping shut as she caressed her pussy.

  With one hand between her legs and the other wrapped around my cock, she resumed sucking me. Tasting me with gentle sweeps of her tongue. I wasn't going to last. Not with her mewling as if she was getting off on it as much as I was. When she
circled me in the warmth of her mouth and sank down until I hit the back of her throat, my hips arched off the couch with my moan.

  I dropped my head back, but kept my eyes open so I could take it all in. Her head bobbed between my legs, those perfect red lips wrapped tight around my cock, cheeks hollowed out. Her hips gyrated to the tempo she created with the hand she had lodged between her legs. Each of her little moans and groans of excitement vibrated down my length until I was ready to explode.

  "Erica, I'm going to come. Move if you don't want it in your mouth."

  She pulled off with a big popping sound, her lips carved into a perfect "O". "Do you want to come in my mouth? Or do you want to come all over me?"

  Was she for real? My little angel was becoming quite the seductress. "What do you want?"

  "I want to taste you," she said without any shame.

  Then she dropped back over my lap and took me into her mouth, cupping my balls in one hand while I writhed beneath her. I controlled the tempo with the hand I fisted in her hair, and she took it, even though I was sure her scalp screamed for relief.

  The pressure was building. It was pulsing through my entire body, I could feel it pressing behind my eyes. I needed Erica to come so that I could chase my own release. When I tweaked her nipple, she lurched forward with a moan, her teeth dragging against my cock as her orgasm pulsed through her. And that's all I needed. The brief spike of pain was like striking a match, and I shattered inside her mouth.

  Her eyes drooped shut while she sucked and swallowed me, her hips continuing to pump against her own hand.

  "So, so good," I said, letting my hand fall free from her hair.

  She sat back and wiped a hand across her mouth. I dragged her onto my lap and stroked her hair, unable to say anything that would do the moment justice. I laid down with her wrapped in my arms, more satisfied than I had been in weeks. The soft flickering of the fire and Erica's steady heartbeat lulled me into a contented sleep.

  "What the fuck is going on?"

  The sound of my brother's voice made me giggle in my sleep. The fury choking his words was so lifelike I could almost picture his blue eyes snapping. He and Janice weren't scheduled to come back until tomorrow so I knew I must still be dreaming. But then a gentle poke forced my eyes open. Dante stared over my shoulder, with a grim look on his face.

  I blinked several times hoping that I was wrong, but then I heard the gruff clearing of my brother's voice from behind us. I pushed off Dante, managing a graceless fall onto the hard floors. Pain erupted in my ass but had nothing on the pounding in my head.

  "Shit, are you okay?" Dante asked as he pushed up onto his elbows. Memories of what I had done to him the night before came rushing back. Even with my brother staring us down, I couldn't stop a goofy smile from forming on my face. The day before had just reconfirmed my feelings for Dante.

  "I'm all right," I said.

  "What the fuck are you wearing?" Damian hissed. I had almost forgotten the immediate danger that was my brother. He spun around and faced the door with an angry grunt. I scrambled to my feet, rubbing the sore spot on my butt while I tried to formulate a coherent thought.

  "Wow, that is hot," Janice murmured, eyes widening as she took in my outfit. "If I looked like that, I would walk around naked all the time."

  "Don't encourage her," Damian huffed.

  I yanked the fleece blanket off the end of the couch and wrapped it around my body. Janice watched me with a wry grin, while Dante remained motionless.

  "What are you doing home? I thought you two weren't coming back until tomorrow." I dragged one hand through my messy hair, trying to smooth it down. The empty bottles of wine and our glasses from the night before were strewn across the coffee table, evidence of our misconduct.

  "I wasn't feeling well," Janice said.

  "Oh. I'm sorry," I replied. "What's wrong?"

  "Have you covered yourself yet?" Damian yelled before Janice could answer, startling us both.

  "Chill out, man," Dante interjected. He unfurled from the couch, slow and methodical, like a tiger poised and ready to attack. Damian spun back around, jaw ticking with an impenetrable look that scared me.

  "You want me to chill out?" Damian gritted. "Are you kidding me right now? I come home to find you fucking my sister, and you expect me to chill out?"

  "Don't be dramatic. We weren't fucking. We drank a little too much and fell asleep."

  "That's it?" Damian asked. Dante and I squirmed under his murderous glare.

  "Calm down," Janice said, putting a hand on Damian's shoulder. His eyes softened for a second, but then he glowered back at me.

  "It's not what you think," I lied. "And it's really not a big deal." I caught Dante's brow raise from the corner of my eye.

  "Are you two sleeping together?"

  "Yes," Dante replied without a hint of remorse before I could try to soften the blow with a more diplomatic answer.

  "Motherfucker," Damian yelled, charging towards Dante like a wounded bull. Before Janice or I could stop him, he landed a blow that nearly brought Dante to his knees. Dante stumbled back a step and covered his mouth, while Janice and I looked on in horror.

  "What is wrong with you?" I yelled at my brother, once my shock wore off. I rushed to Dante, wedging myself between the two hulking men who were huffing and puffing.

  "I'll take that, because I deserve it for not telling you. But if you ever touch me again, I'll kill you," Dante said. The fierce look in Dante's eyes worried me and I placed a hand on his chest.

  The two stared each other down, the tension sandwiching me like a vice. Damian shook out his hand and spun around with a curse, stalking to his office without another word. He slammed the door so hard I jumped.

  "That was intense," Janice said with a deep sigh. "Give him some time. It will blow over." She hurried after Damian before either of us could reply.

  "Oh, my God," I said, sinking my head into my hands and dropping to the couch. Dante settled next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me tight. I glanced his direction and winced when I saw that his bottom lip was split and already swollen to twice its normal size. "You're bleeding. Go to the bathroom while I get some ice."

  My hands were shaking, but I managed to fill a bag. I tiptoed past the office. The muffled sounds of Janice's soothing voice and Damian's angrier one could be heard through the door, but I had no desire to eavesdrop. I rushed to my bedroom and threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, before checking on Dante.

  He wiped his mouth with a washcloth, grimacing at his reflection in the mirror.

  "It's not that bad," he said when he caught my horrified gaze. "I've had worse."

  "When you were playing football?"

  "No. When my mom's boyfriends would use me as a punching bag."

  We stared at each other, but I had no idea what to say. He looked away before I could.

  "Come sit," I ordered, pulling out a first-aid kit from under the sink. Dante slumped onto the toilet with a sullen sigh. I tended to his wound, doing my best to ignore his winces of pain. "I'm so sorry."

  He pulled me between his legs and gave me a weak smile. "Why are you crying, babe?"

  "Because you're hurt. My brother is pissed off at us both. And it's all my fault."

  "It's not your fault. It's my fault. I should have come clean with your brother weeks ago."

  "There was no reason to. It's not like anything is going to come of this," I said, hating the way my voice broke.

  He searched my eyes and opened his mouth to say something. I couldn't bear to hear him confirm my fears so I pushed the bag of ice against his hurt lip.

  "Ow," he said with a moan.

  "Sorry, hold that there." I walked to the sink to wash my hands, careful not to let him see that they were shaking. He came up behind me and set the bloody bag of ice on the counter.

  "Erica, look at me. Do you regret what happened last night?"

  Did I?

  No way.

  I wasn't ev
en sure what had overcome me. I could have blamed it on the alcohol, but that excuse rang false. I had known exactly what was going to happen when I came out of the bedroom dressed in that lacy concoction. And even though we hadn't come to any sort of understanding, I had wanted it to happen.

  I looked up from the sink and into his questioning eyes. "I've never regretted anything we've done together."

  His shoulders slumped forward in relief. "Me neither. Now that your brother knows, we'll just have to convince him that it's more than sex."

  "What are you saying?"

  "I'm saying that the only way your brother is going to accept this is if we pretend to be in a relationship."

  I gripped the edge of the sink, the marble tile cutting into my palms. I searched Dante's eyes, hopeful that I had misunderstood. "You want to pretend to be in a relationship so that you can keep fucking me without pissing my brother off?"

  My words came out soft, but Dante must have seen the anger burning in my eyes because he placed reassuring hands on my shoulders.

  "Erica..."

  "Get out."

  "Hear me out," he said with a placating tone that made me angrier. I whirled around and pushed him hard in the chest, forcing him back a step.

  "No. I don't want to hear you out. Get out, Dante." I was screaming now and didn't care if Damian and Janice overheard. "We're not going to pretend to be in a relationship so you can fuck me at your leisure."

  "That's not what I meant."

  "Yes, it is."

  I wanted him to deny it. I needed him to deny it, but he just stood there, staring at me stupidly.

  I pointed to the door, incapable of speech. Like a dog with his tail between his legs, Dante loped out of the bathroom. I followed after him, because I had to see him leave with my own eyes.

  Damian stood in the doorway of his office with one hand wrapped around Janice's waist and Dante's duffel bag in the other. My brother's face was a mask of calm, but then he launched the heavy bag at Dante with a grunt.

  Dante caught the bag, shaking his head one last time as he strode past me and out the front door.