Dancing With the Devil

Chapter 5

Dante's P.O.V.

While Rose is laughing hysterically, I snatch up the spare pillow I had brought downstairs, just in the off chance that she may have needed it, and whack her in the stomach, causing her to fall backwards onto the couch. Before she can launch a counterattack, I leap out of her reach. No sooner than I turn around does she literally come flying at me, letting loose with a playful battle cry, pillow in hand as though it were a mighty sword. For quite some time, we spar with the pillows, both of us going at it like a real sword fight. We take a short break, standing at opposite sides of the room, panting heavily. As if by telepathic communication, we both throw our pillows at each other and they collide in mid-air. Rose draws Ember and Spark, firing a round from each. The first causes the pillows the burst into flame, and the second makes for an ear-splitting miniature explosion of burning feathers.

"Those were my best pillows, dammit!" I yell, facepalming. "I don't get paid nearly enough to put up with this shit..."

Walking over to my desk, I happily discover three boxes of pizza, with a note from Lady on the top box, explaining the "missing" fourth box. I shrug and snatch up the first box, opening it up and devouring a slice hungrily while sitting down in my chair and propping my feet up. A shadow falls over me within a few moments of me taking my usual seat and I look up to see Rose eagerly reaching out for a slice of my pizza. Closing the box, I lift one leg and give my foot a light tap on the next box in the stack.

"If you want some, take your own," I growl warningly, carefully watching as she follows my instructions.

I find myself entranced just watching her sit on my desk while eating pizza. That is until she glances at me, picks up the magazine I had intended to read and smacks me in the face with it. She then tosses the box, of which is now shockingly empty, once again leaning in close to try stealing a slice from the box in my lap. Just to tease her, I lean forward the closer she gets, closing the gap between us. I don't even take my eyes off her when I close the pizza box once again, causing her attention to snap up to me and the near half inch of air separating her face from mine. She stays absolutely stone still for quite a long moment, and when she finally reacts, her face turns a darker shade of red than her tailcoat. It's both hilarious and adorable. I can't help but laugh. What amazes me is the fact that she tries it again, this time with a plan. Once more, I lean in as she approaches, the pizza box in my lap still closed. Rose's green orbs have now lost focus on her original intention and are now focused on my icy blue stare. With an inch of space left, she stops, her breathing fast and a bit shallow. I can practically hear her pounding heart.

"What's the matter, babe?" I whisper, lightly caressing her cheek. "I promise I won't bite. Unless you want me to."

"Then bite me, Dante," Rose purrs, smirking.

She need not have said anything more. I quickly pull her off my desk and into my lap, setting the box of half eaten pizza in her former seat. Sitting up properly in my chair gives me the perfect position from which I can best grind against her. Her eyes are wide in shock, her body trembling not in fear, but in anticipation. I don't give her any time to protest, lunging at her neck with near overpowering lust, kissing and biting fiercely. Rose's first reaction is to grasp a fistful of my hair and pull hard. This only reinforces my determination. When a moan finally escapes her mouth, it's just barely audible. After a minute or two of attacking her neck, I pull away, admiring the masterpiece I've created... Hickeys and bite marks centered around her sensitive spot in a very crude circular shape.

"You didn't actually... did you?" Rose pants, her pupils shrinking when I don't gratify her with a response. "Please tell me you didn't."

"I did exactly what you asked me to, babe," I growl playfully with a wink.

With a newfound vigor, she leaps up from her position on my lap and races into the bathroom, emitting a wail when she undoubtedly looks in the mirror.

"There's no way I'll be able to cover this up!"

"Be careful what you wish for," I snicker mockingly as I pass the bathroom door on my way to the stairs that lead up to my bedroom on the second floor.

"Two can play at this game, Dante," Rose growls, coming out of the bathroom, grabbing me by the collar of my shirt and almost dragging me into my bedroom.