Just Breathe Mi Amore

Ch. 8

     I take a step back from Dante, trying to create some space between us. His cologne is so intoxicating it makes it hard for me to breathe. With every step back I take, Dante takes a step closer. My back eventually hits the wall. One of Dante's arm comes up beside my head.
     "Mr. Salvatore, what are you doing?" I whisper keeping my eyes on our feet.
     "Ms. Brooks, look at me," Dante warns. I look up at him, but look away every now and then. I can't maintain the eye contact. It's too awkward for me.
     "Are you gonna hurt me?" My mouth moves before I can think about what I just said. Dante's playful look hardens.
     "Why would I hurt a beautiful woman like you?" Dante breathes out. My heart skips a beat when he calls me beautiful. The little space between us is driving me crazy. I just shrug my shoulders not knowing how to respond to Dante.
     "I'd never want to hurt you," Dante warmly states his eyes searching mine, "I would only want to bring you pleasure." Dante places a soft kiss on my cheek. My eyes squeeze shut as my cheeks flush red. There comes the feeling again. The feeling I don't know how to describe. A feeling I have never felt until I met Dante. Butterflies erupt in my stomach and I involuntarily squeeze my thighs.
     "Paisley, is this okay?" Dante asks. I don't really know what I'm consenting too, but I nod my head yes. A man has never asked me that before.
     "Words, Paisley. Use your words," Dante's warm breath fans against my neck making me shutter.
     "I umm," I don't really know what to say or do, "I'm not really sure what we are doing here." I speak honestly to Dante. His face comes up from the side of my neck and looks into my eyes.
    "Have you ever been kissed before, Paisley?" Dante bluntly asks. He wants to kiss me? My heart is racing right now. I feel my cheeks turn even redder.
     "I don't know how to answer that, Mr. Salvatore," I say honestly. How do I say I have only been kissed by old men against my will? Dante's nose brushes against my cheek. I feel my stomach ball up in knots from his small touch. Okay, it is too hot in here to be doing this.
     "You don't have to answer, but you can trust me," Dante reassured me. My head is starting to get foggy from Dante's presence.
     "I've never been kissed where it was consensual," I blurt out. Dante needs to back up, so I can think straight. All of this is too much. It's like Dante heard my thoughts because he takes a step back. A frown appears on his face. Did I do something wrong? I wish I knew what he was thinking.
     "Are you hungry?" Dante changes the subject abruptly. My stomach responds for me with a small rumble of noise. Dante let's a small chuckle. His smile and laugh is so handsome.
     "Let's get some food and go over more training details," Dante decides. I nod my head and we both go sit down. Dante pulls out a menu from his desk drawer. Is there a cafeteria in this building? Dante hands me the menu.
     "Let me know what you want and I'll call to have it brung up," Dante says and pulls out his phone. I scan over the menu. I'm a picky eater. I'm the kind of girl that would go to a five start restaurant and order chicken strips. I see a burger and fry option and decide to go with that.
     "I'll take a plain cheeseburger with ketchup and mustard and a side of fries please," I say with a smile forming on my lips. Food sounds so good right now. Dante picks up the office phone and places our orders. He ordered teriyaki chicken and fried rice. That sounds pretty good. I've never had it though.
     "So on a typical day, you'll order my food for me everyday to have it at my office by 6. I never have meetings from 6-7pm," Dante informs me. I nod in response.
      Our food arrived ten minutes later. As we ate, Dante went over more training stuff. This time I tried my best not to zone out. Every now and then we talked about ourselves. I learned that Dante didn't move to the states until five years ago and he his favorite type of food is seafood. I only told Dante that I can only do sushi when it comes to seafood. I got to see him smile again. I scrunched my nose up when he said he loves shrimp. That made him laugh.
     "Well, I think I'm done here and gonna head home," Dante said with a sigh. I tried my best to hide my frown. I was actually having a good time. I wasn't ready to stop. Now I have to start thinking about what to do tonight. I don't want a repeat of last night. Just thinking of it makes me shudder. I give Dante a nod to symbol okay.
     "Where are you gonna sleep tonight?" Dante inquires. I look around the room before sighing.
     "I don't know. I'll figure it out," I say with a shrug. This makes Dante frown. This man needs to smile more.
     "Mm I don't think so," Dante tries to argue, "We don't need a repeat of last night." This man also needs to be less blunt. I'm not trying to think about it, but then he just bluntly throws it out there. I look down at my lap and fumble with my fingers. In seconds Dante is kneeling in front of me.
     "I'm sorry, I just don't want to see you like that again," Dante explains. I swear, his accent alone could make all my problems fade away.
     "I get that, but I am not your responsibility," I say softly. It's true. I've only known this guy for two days. Dante's eyes harden at my words.
     "You are now. I know enough to know that you could use my help. I'm not gonna leave here knowing you have no where to go. My house has plenty of room you're coming with me," Dante commands. I wouldn't mind sleeping in that bed again. I just nod my head and stand up. Dante opens the door and motions for me to go ahead. He grabs my bags and we head out.
       Now I am back in the passenger seat of Dante's car. The car ride has been silent besides the soft music playing in the background. Once again, I feel awkward. I'm going home with a stranger. I feel like that was the one thing my parents taught me not to do. He's also now my boss, doesn't that break some form of code of conduct? We arrive at his house and this time multiple cars fill up the drive way.
     "Who all is here?" I turn to ask Dante. He lets out a sigh.
     "My group of friends live here. It makes it more affordable," Dante hesitates. Confused by his confusion, I just slowly nod my head. That must be cool to some extent. It's kind of weird though. I know some people get apartments with their friends, but a house that is almost a mansion?
     "Are the nice?" I ask. I probably sound insecure. Dante just lets out another chuckle. I could listen to his laugh all day.
     "They're something," is all Dante says. Well that doesn't make me feel better. It'll be fine. I can just hide up in Dante's room. Dante gets out of the car so I follow suite. I run my sweaty hands up and down my pants. Dante opens the door for me and I walk inside the house. Laughter echos from the living room.
     "Can I go upstairs," I whisper to Dante. I don't feel up to meeting people today. Dante looks down at me. I kind of hate that he is so tall. My head only reaches the middle of his chest.
     "Of course, let me walk you up," Dante replies. Dante and I ascend the stairs. Dante is behind me and I feel insecure. I do not have an ass. He probably prefers an hourglass shaped body. A soft sigh escapes my lips when we reach the top of the stairs. Dante leads me to his bedroom.
     "I can sleep on the floor. I don't want to keep taking you from your bed," I suggest to Dante. He just looks at me and doesn't say anything. I take that as him saying that's not happening.
     "Let me see your phone," Dante orders. I give him a weird look, but take my phone out of my bag and hand it to him. He types on my phone and gives it back.
     "That's my phone number, so you can reach me whenever," Dante says casually. I try to contain myself from geeking out. A boys phone number is in my phone and not just an average boy, but an attractive Italian man. I just nod my head and bite my lip.
     In a quick motion, I'm scooped up in Dante's arms. He casually walks over to the bed and drops me on it. I land on the soft mattress and let out a small squeal.
     "Dante what are you doing?" I breathe out. He just smiles and climbs on top of me. His hands placed on either side of my head caging me in.
      "What did I say Ms. Paisley about biting that lip?" Dante whispers in a husky voice. I look away from him. I've never been so hot for somebody.
     "I'm sorry," I whimper out. Dante kisses my cheek taking my breath away. He trails kisses down my neck, but pauses suddenly.
     "Is this okay?" Dante asks.
     "Yes," I breathe out. Dante grabs both of my hands and holds them above my head before placing more kisses up and down my neck. I bite my lip trying to hold back a moan. Butterflies swirl in my stomach.
     "I want to hear you Paisley," Dante encourages. He starts sucking on my neck a little below my ear. I can't help but let out a soft moan from the small action. I've never been turned on before. I press my body up against his. He takes one of his hands and trails it up and down my side.
     "You drive me crazy. I've never craved someone like I do with you," Dante whispers. I look away and frown. I've been told that before. By one of my Fathers friends. He was just thinking with his dick. Dante pulls away.
     "Paisley, I will never do anything your uncomfortable with. I know you don't know me much, but you can talk to me," Dante says softly. I want to tell him everything. I want to be cared for and comforted. I'm just scared he will think I'm dirty and used. I sit up on his bed and so does Dante.
     "You're the first person I have felt close too in a long time, but I just don't want you to think badly of me," I say slowly. Dante covers my hand with his.
     "I want to protect you, not hurt you," Dante reassures. I nod my head and give him a smile.
     "I believe you, I just need more time," I explain. Dante nods his head. He stands up from the bed.
     "Well, I'll let you be alone for a while. Text me if you need anything. I'll be downstairs," Dante says before walking out the door. I let out a long sigh and fall back on the bed.
     I ended up taking a shower. After an hour, I decided to get out. I wrap myself in a towel and wipe the fog off the mirror. After the mirror clears up, I see a mark on my neck. A gasp escapes my lip and my hand snaps up to the hickey. He didn't. I can't believe he did that. I mean it is kind of hot though.
     I walk out of the bathroom and head to his closet. I put on one of his t-shirts. I smile when Dante's scent surrounds me. Walking out of the closet, I grab my phone off the dresser. A frown forms on my lips when I see a text from an unknown number.
I know where you are.