Dangerous Kisses

The Call

Chapter 17

Cali Woods

I pushed open the door, the cold air outside making my body shiver-or was it from the man in front of me?

"Cody?" I asked, stepping out on the porch of the building.

Cody's hands were stuffed in his pockets, his hair was a mess from the wind and his eyes were looking a little red.

I crossed my arms across my chest, "What are you doing here?"

Cody shrugged, and ran his fingers through his light hair. I couldn't help but compare it to Dante's dark, addictive hair, "Thought I'd come and see you."

I looked around the yard, seeing if anyone else was around, he was acting wierd, "Why didn't you buzz?"

Cody looked over his shoulder quick then looked back at me, "I just got here."

I could sense his lie, after Dante's words about him I began to wonder if anything he said was true, "Is there something I can help you with?"

Cody closed his eyes for a second like he didn't want to tell me the truth but he grabbed my hand and tugged, "Let me walk you to class."

I pulled my hand from his slowly, to hide my fear, "Actually, I have a day off. Lily wanted to meet me for breakfast."

Cody smiled, "Can I take you there?"

I shrugged, "Sure, it's just a couple of blocks down." I said with a straight face. Inside I was truly terrified and didn't want to go anywhere with him. I shivered again, and noticed myself seeking for Dante.

"Great." Cody said, grabbing my arm and leading me onto the sidewalk where we walked side by side. I had to step over a little so I wasn't walking on him.

"You have fun at that party last night?"

I paused for a second, wandering how he knew but brushed it off, "Parties aren't my favorite thing. I just showed up for a friend."

Cody nodded his head as if he was engrossed with my answer, "Who's your friend?"

I gave him an odd look, "His names Andy-he's in one of my classes."

Cody looked down at me with a strange look, "He a good guy."

I gulped a little, searching for the right answer. If a said yes Cody would think we had something going on and who knows what her do then, "I don't really know him good enough. First impressions though: he's polite."

"Polite," Cody said, as if tasting the word, "That's good. Wouldn't want any guy mistreating you."

And what if someone was?

I gave him a weak smile and stared down at my feet, not liking the way he was looking at me. I could feel his eyes piercing the side of my face, as if he was trying to read my mind. I gripped my phone, debating on whether or not to dial Dante's number.

One more block then we'd be at the restaurant. I could see Lily's car from here and I felt myself automatically feeling safer. I turned to Cody, stoping our walk, "Thanks, but I got it from here. I don't want to keep you from your...daily activities."

Cody raised an eyebrow but sighed in defeat, "My pleasure. I'll see you soon."

I watched as Cody turned around and walked around a corner into a shop. A cold shiver ran down my spine at the thought of him. He was good-just like Dante said.

I turned to see Lily sticking her head out of the café, her eyebrow raised at me. I rolled my eyes and fast walked to her.

"Hey, Lil." I greeted, as I entered the café and followed her to our seat.

We sat down across from one another, me facing the window.

"So," Lily taunted, "You and Cody?"

I made a disgusted noise and shook my head, "Oh no. He just showed up this morning and asked to walk me here."

Lily raised an eyebrow in suspension, "I saw the way you looked back at him."

I bit my bottom lip, trying to contain my outburst and crossed my legs, "Whatever, Lily."

Lily smiled a successful smile and took a sip of her mocha, "Daniel and I are going on vacation together."

I looked at her with wide eyes, "What?"

Lily giggled like a school girl, "We've been dating for about a month now and he's got business down in Georgia for the week so he asked me to come!"

"Lily that's not really a vacation. It's a business trip."

She rolled her eyes and picked at her acrylic nails, "We're obviously gonna do other things than that."

I couldn't help but think that other things consisted of dirty things.

I touched Lily's hand across the table, "You're being safe right? Remember what happened last time. That big pregnancy scare?"

Lily's face dropped a little, "I remember. I am being safe, Cal," her face suddenly turned up in a smirk, "I couldn't say the same about you and Cody though."

I blushed, not because of Cody but because of Dante. He was the only man I've ever really made out with, or even touch me. My lips tingled at the memory.

~

I walked out of the café an hour later, my stomach full and appetite happy. Lily waved goodbye from her SUV then climbed in. She was on her phone in a matter of seconds, Daniel and her were to leave tomorrow morning.

I turned on my heel and began to walk towards the book store.

Rain began to fall heavily as I made it only one block. The sky lit up with lighting, causing many people to duck into their cars or open up their umbrellas. Being my silly self-I of course forgot it was going to rain.

A black Camero pulled up beside me, the window rolling down. Dante's dark hair was the first thing I saw as the window came down. My fingers tingled from the sweet memory of his soft hair. His golden face appeared seconds later and he smiled at my soaked body, "Need a ride?"

I jogged to the passenger side of his car and quickly got in. My wet feet soaked into his carpet, "Thank you so much. Sorry I'm wet."

Dante rolled up his window and drove onto the main road, he looked over at me and smiled, "You're fine. Good thing I showed up or you'd be really wet."

I laughed and laid my head back against his heated seats, "I was heading to the bookstore," I sighed, "Nothing better to do."

Dante cleared his throat, as if nervous, "You can stay with me for a while if you want, I was just running errands."

I looked over at him, "You sure you want to stay that long with me?"

Dante chuckled and tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. Rock music was playing softly from the radio, "I could spend forever with you, mi amore."

I blushed and lightly slapped his thigh, "You Italians are so romantic."

Dante smiled, flashing his perfect teeth and opened his mouth to reply. Ringing from my phone interrupted him.

I quickly grabbed it from my bag and brought it to my ear, "Mom?"

Her voice was scratchy and she seemed as if she was crying, "Baby," she paused for a second and sniffled, "Granny passed away this morning. The funerals in two days, can you come home?"

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