Dante Harris was running. Running from an abusive past. Running from a messy break up. Running from the life he left in the small city of Round Rock Texas.
Somehow this small town boy has found himself in the busy streets of New York City, and in t...
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I thought about what Grayson had mentioned, while I slid the plain white shirt over my damp head.
"All I'm saying is, don't fully accept defeat. Show Dante how charming you can be. Be less of your insane workaholic self so you two actually have the time to talk..."
It was just difficult, when Dante and I were both so busy. I'd argue with the competition season coming up, this might be the worst time for me to start perusing Dante....
But when I neared the top step, and saw him lounged out on the couch, all reasoning went out the window.
He had since changed out of his gym gear.
He honestly hadn't brought much gym gear here... or I'd really guess much of anything to NYC, so he'd been rotating through the same shorts these last few weeks. I left him a few pairs on his bed for his first day back this week. He told me he couldn't accept those, but I just lied and said they were from our lost and found here.
He was now showered, and wearing shorts that looked like sweatpants material, with a loose fitted top. I usually let Dante hit the showers first while Grayson and I sparred with each other. It was the only time Grayson and I really had, plus now with my injured hand, I was going to need to accommodate my fighting technique for it. Competition season was what all this extra work had been for, Grayson would have straight up killed me if I wasn't able to fight.
"You were beyond amazing today." I spoke to Dante, breaking his concentration. It didn't seem like he even noticed me walking up these steps.
"T-Thank you." He nodded to me. That dazed state made me wonder what he was thinking.
"The fighters have taken a liking to you. You may be one of the best teachers I've seen, honestly." I continued. Although most days I tried to let Dante know how well he's doing, some days it just slipped my mind. Today was a day he deserved to know.
"I- thank you." The smile that was tugging at the edge of his lips, widened.
"I was-" I started, then stopped himself. For a second there, I felt like I had built up the courage to ask him out. As those doe-like eyes held my gaze, my nerves got the best of me. "How does Chinese sound tonight? I could put an order in to have some takeout delivered."
He curled his bottom lip back to moisten it, and I looked on with intensity I'm sure was far from necessary. It was just impossible not to want to taste those lips again.
"Y-Yes." Dante replied with a sudden raspiness. It was beginning to turn me on. "That sounds good. I just- I needed to run to my place quick to get a few things. I think my first check was also mailed there. Could you give me about thirty minutes or so?"
