Dial a Stud: Dante's Story

by J. a Melville

  Maybe he was just like half the other men I met, full of shit. Maybe he said whatever he thought he had to say, to justify what he did.

  “Maybe, he’s not going to contact you, because you, told him to get out, and made it pretty clear you were pissed off with him.” I muttered to myself.

  “Alright then, we’re definitely going out tonight. You’re talking to yourself so you’re officially crazy. It’s time to get you out of this house.” Mel’s expression was filled with determination.

  “Fine, you don’t need to tell me again. I get it, and I know I need to get out. Some wine, some dancing, and I might feel a bit better.” I said.

  “Well, good to see we’re in agreement on something, and if the Italian Stallion is there, what then?”

  I sighed. “I don’t know Mel. I know I need to speak to him, but it’s been over a week, and he’s made no effort to speak to me either. Maybe he’s not as interested, as he tried to make out that night. He might have been having a sensitive moment, since he’d just come.”

  Mel rolled her eyes at me. “Fucking hell Gracie, will you listen to yourself? You’re forgetting one major thing. He didn’t have to reveal himself to you. If he wasn’t really interested, he could have walked out, and that would have been that. He cared enough to want to come clean to you. He wanted you to know who he was. That has to count for something. Now get your ass to your room and pick something to wear.”

  “Ugh, I don’t know what…” I started to say, but my friend interrupted me.

  “Yeah, yeah, I know, you don’t know what to wear. Stop lamenting about it, and go do it woman.” She grabbed my shoulders and turned me towards my bedroom. “You have an hour. I’m not giving you any longer to try on your entire wardrobe first. Remember, there’s no guarantee he’ll be there anyway.”

  “He’s not here.” I yelled in Mel’s ear, as we danced, hugging our glasses of wine to us, as it was too risky to leave drinks unattended. That was the golden rule. Never leave a drink where some sicko could put something in to drug a girl.

  “No, I don’t see him anywhere, and although I don’t know him as well as you do, I’m pretty sure I’d still recognise him.” Mel winked at me. “He’s kind of hard to forget, isn’t he?”

  My eyes caught movement behind Mel. “Don’t look now. Two o’clock approach, six, possibly seven rating. He’s got his eyes fixed on your ass.” I quickly told her.

  Just as Mr Hopeful approached, she turned to him, and I continued to dance as the mating ritual began between my friend, and the potential suitor.

  It took Mel all of one minute to assess him, acknowledge him, and discard him, like last night’s trash. I watched the young man with shoulders slumped; disappear back into the crowd, probably feeling like the fish, that John West rejected.

  She caught my eye. “What?” She asked when she saw my expression.

  “You tossed him back, faster than an undersized fish; that bad huh?”

  “I’m not leaving you alone tonight Grace. You’re fragile, I can tell. You can deny it all you like, but I know you. You’re disappointed that he hasn’t shown, aren’t you?”

  I watched her eyes drift to something beyond my shoulder, and then widen so much; she looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

  “Holy…fucking…hell.” She said, her expression almost shell shocked, and obvious awe in her tone.

  I was just about to turn around, to see what had her gaping, and gawking, the way she was, when I heard a voice that was familiar.

  “Well, well, well. Lookie, who we have here? How’s it going sugar?”

  With a heart that was suddenly flip flopping in my chest, I turned and got my first, uninhibited look at Dante’s friend Alex. Seemed he didn’t have an issue with me seeing his face, so I could only assume he’d spoken to his friend.

  “What a surprise.” I tried to inject as much enthusiasm into my voice as possible.

  His eyes weren’t on me though; they were fixed on my friend. “So, who do we have here then?” He asked.

  My eyes shifted between the two of them, and I found myself grinning. It looked like my best friend and Alex were sweet for one another.

  I knew I had to introduce Mel to Alex, and vice versa, but for just a couple of moments, I wanted to take the time to study him. I’d seen a lot of him that night, and hell the man, had been inside me, but he’d had the mask on, so I hadn’t been able to see all of his face.

  Staring at him, I realised I’d have recognised him anyway. There weren’t too many men around town with a body like his. Actually there were no men around town with bodies like him. The only other man I’d seen with a body like his; was Dante’s.

  He sure as hell was a good looking man. With his dirty blonde hair, that was long enough on top, that it flopped over his brow, blue eyes, that were a deeper shade of blue than Mel’s, and those startlingly white teeth.

  He had to be over six foot tall with a body that was a work of art. Going by the rapt expression on my friend’s face, she was about to become a connoisseur of fine art.

  “Alex, this is my best friend Melanie, and Melanie, this is Alex. He’s from…he’s…well, oh fuck it, you know where he’s from.”

  “Melanie, now that’s a real pretty name for a real pretty lady.” Alex announced; his eyes still on her.

  Finally he turned to me and grinned. “How are you sugar? Almost didn’t recognise you with your clothes on.” He wrapped an arm around me, and pulled me close for a hug, kissing me noisily on the top of my head.

  I blushed at his words, feeling shy all of a sudden, now I was confronted by one of the men, who had been privy to helping me fulfil a fantasy.

  “I’m good…you?” I asked, and he grinned again.

  “I’m sweet.”

  “So, how’s Dante?” I tried to make the question as casual as possible.

  Alex raised an eyebrow. “Do you really care?” His gaze narrowed on mine.

  I blushed. “Of course I care. He told you what he did when you left, didn’t he?”

  “He sure did sweet cheeks. Dante and I go back a few years. He shocked the shit out of me when he asked me to do a favour for him. You were the favour girl. I’ve never seen him get so bent out of shape over a woman.” All the humour was gone from Alex’s expression now. “You need to listen to him. Let him talk to you. I don’t know what the history is between you two, but I’ve never seen him show interest in any woman, but you. Doing the job we used to do, can make a person jaded. It sucks the emotion right of you. It causes problems which can be hard to overcome. That’s why we got out of it. Dante wasn’t a fool though. He knew the money Dial A Stud can bring in, so he bought the company, and he’s built it up into something bigger. You know I got such a shock when he called, begging me to do a job with him. He didn’t want me there. I knew that. He wanted you for himself, but we’re friends, so I guess he figured, if he had to share you, he’d share you with a mate. Like I said, you need to speak to him.” He turned to Mel again. “Wanna dance pretty lady?”

  With Alex focused on her again, I thought Mel was going to pass out with excitement or drown on her own saliva. “Sure.” She finally said, nearly gushing with her enthusiasm.

  “Pass me your drink.” I held my hand out, so she could give it to me. “I’ll go sit down while you two dance. Have fun.” I shot them both a grin, which turned into a laugh, when she fanned her face behind Alex’s back.

  I found a table not that far from the dance floor and sat down, guarding Mel’s drink and sipping on mine. My mind kept playing over everything Alex had said.

  He was right; I had to speak to Dante. There were too many unanswered questions, and after everything I’d just heard, I was curious to find out just how long, he’d been attracted to me. How could a man like him want me? How could I not notice a man like him watching me?

  After about half an hour, Mel and Alex left the dancefloor and came over to me. I could see from their faces that they were attracted to one another. It was a tiny
bit awkward, given I’d had sex with him, but as gorgeous as he was, it was Dante that I was drawn to. If my friend and Alex got together, that would be wonderful. Mel deserved to find a good man, and at least I knew from personal experience, that Alex would be able to satisfy her.

  “Can I get you another drink there sugar?” He asked me, and I nodded. Both Mel and I gave him our orders, and as she sat down at the table, we watched him head for the bar.

  “So you like Alex?” I stated the obvious.

  Mel’s face lit up, and I knew she was gone. “Oh my God Gracie, he’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe you got to have sex with him, and the Italian Stallion at the same time. If he hits me up for sex, I want to go there. I have to go there. Please tell me you’ll be ok with that. Will it upset you or be too weird?”

  I shook my head. “Don’t be silly. If you want him, you go for it. He’s sweet or he seems that way. He’s gorgeous, I agree, and holy hell woman, he will teach you what an orgasm should be like. He came with Dante to give me a fantasy I paid for. He treated me well, but he’s not interested in me. It doesn’t take a University Degree to see the man’s got the hots for you. Go for it girl, if he puts the hard word on you.”

  Mel’s face lit up again, and I was pleased for my friend, that she was attracted to Alex. I didn’t know what he would be like as a potential boyfriend, but the man sure knew what he was doing in the bedroom. If things went well, it was quite possible I’d have to put up with, hearing the man’s name, being screamed from her bedroom.

  Chapter Ten

  I looked up and saw Alex approaching with our drinks. He was dressed in snug fitting, blue jeans and a plain white, button through shirt, which accentuated his tanned skin.

  After he’d handed us our drinks, he sat down next to Mel, and I tried not to smile, when I saw him drape his arm casually, along the back of her chair.

  Looking at them together, I could see they were a good match. Both blonde and blue eyed, they made for a very attractive couple.

  We sat around and talked for a little while, as we drank, but the more I watched them, and the more I drank, the more I envied them. I was happy for my friend, that she’d met someone who obviously, was as drawn to her as she was to him, but it made me suddenly, painfully aware of the fact, I had no one.

  “Do you have a number for Dante?” I asked finally.

  One eyebrow on Alex shot up. “He’s one of my closest mates, what do you think?”

  I studied him over my glass. It was pretty obvious, he wasn’t entirely happy with me. What had Dante told him, and had my kicking him out of the house, really upset him that much?

  “Please Alex; I need to speak to him. You told me I need to speak to him, and you’re right. Please give me his number, please.”

  “Very well, I can give you his number but I know he’s home right now. How about I drop you over there?” He turned to Mel. “Do you mind if I keep you company for the rest of the evening pretty lady?”

  Alex’s question put me into a bit of a tailspin, but watching my friend’s reaction to what he’d just said to her, distracted me.

  If it was possible for a person to melt, then Mel just did it. She was like a dog being offered a bone. Any more eager than she was and she’d need a bib for all the drool.

  “I’d like that.” She finally managed to spit out, and I turned my head so they wouldn’t see me roll my eyes.

  “Will Dante mind if you take me to his place? Shouldn’t he be called first? What if he doesn’t want to see me?”

  “Oh he’ll want to see you sugar, don’t you go worrying yourself over that. He’ll definitely want to see you.”

  “Well then, if you’re sure, then please, I would like to go and see him.”

  “Come on then, I’ll drive you. On second thoughts, I won’t give you his number. If he wants to, he can give it to you himself.”

  “Fine, thank you.” I said, as we all stood. I quickly swallowed the last mouthful of my wine. The thought of seeing Dante suddenly scared the hell out of me. Hopefully the alcohol would help give me the guts to face him. I still worried, that despite what Alex said; that Dante might not want to see me, and may not be happy to see me at all. I don’t know why Alex was so sure he’d be pleased, but I hoped he was right or it would really end up being awkward.

  “Well let’s blow this place.” He grinned, throwing an arm around both of our shoulders, and together, we all left the club and headed for his car. He stopped at a black Audi which surprised me. I figured he’d drive something big, American, a V8 of some kind.

  He opened the doors, and helped us both inside before coming around to the driver’s side. Once he started driving, I found myself suddenly plagued with an attack of nerves. I was going to see Dante, the man who had invaded my dreams, and I had no idea what the outcome would be.

  “Well, this is it.” Alex’s voice dragged me away from my thoughts, and back to the present.

  I glanced out of the car’s window, to see where we were, and was surprised to see we were in a residential area. For some reason, I’d pictured Dante living in an apartment, not a house.

  It was a nice looking house, no doubt about that, but it was just in a normal street, in what appeared to be typical suburbia.

  “Dante lives here?” I asked and Alex turned to me from the driver’s seat.

  “Yeah, this is one of his places. You thought he’d live in some big flashy apartment or something did you?”

  I blushed at his words. Alex could read me just a little too well. “So, I just knock at his door?”

  He flashed me one of his dazzling smiles. “That’s what a person usually does, when they want to get someone, to come to the door, isn’t it?”

  I rolled my eyes at him. “Smart ass.” I muttered under my breath, as I opened the car door, and climbed out.

  Alex climbed out too, and walked around to me. “It’ll be fine sugar. Just listen to the man ok?”

  “You make sure you look after Mel. She’s my best friend and if you do anything to her, if you hurt her, I’ll come after you.” I told him, my tone low, so Melanie wouldn’t hear me. “Got that?” I smiled sweetly at him.

  “Yes ma’am.” He lifted a hand, as if to tip an imaginary hat. “She’s a sweet little thing. I won’t do anything she doesn’t want me to do.” He winked, and I rolled my eyes again. With all the bloody eye rolling I was doing, I’d be telling people to call me Anastasia Steele at this rate.

  I refrained from rolling my eyes again. His reassurance that he wouldn’t do anything, Mel didn’t want him to do, wasn’t much of a reassurance. She was as hungry as I’d been, for some mind blowing orgasms. I doubt there’d be anything he could do to her that she’d say no to. It might be him that ended up screaming for ‘time out’ or begging for mercy, not the other way around.

  “Just remember what I said.” I reminded him before going to the car window to say goodbye to Mel. “Have fun.” I told her, giving her the big thumbs up.

  I turned towards Dante’s home and was relieved to see lights on in the house. Not many, most of the house appeared to be in darkness. There was a car parked under the carport too, so he was home.

  “Off you go sugar, time’s a wasting.”

  “You’re sure he’s not going to mind?”

  “Trust me. He looked so miserable the day after we’d been to your house. Be gentle with him. There’s more to Dante than meets the eye. You might be surprised. Don’t let the exterior dazzle you. Look inside to the man. He’s not just a sexual object you know. Women complain about sexist behaviour, but you ladies can do exactly the same thing to men. That was one of the shitty sides of being a stud, being treated like a dick on legs.”

  “Yeah but you got well paid for it.” I pointed out.

  “You got that right Gracie, but once the job kills your emotions, and leaves you feeling like an empty shell, the money doesn’t mean much. It did more damage to Dante than me. He...he has...trouble…oh hell, it’s not my place to
say.” He said quietly. “Now get the hell out of here and go see him.” He tipped his head towards the house, and with a final look to him and Mel; I headed for the front door.

  With my heart pounding violently in my chest, I knocked on Dante’s door and waited. I waited and nothing. I knocked again and when my knocking was still unanswered, I turned back to the car where Alex and Mel waited.

  I suppose I should have been happy they didn’t drive off, since it was beginning to look like Alex was wrong, and his friend wasn’t in fact home.

  “One more time for luck.” I muttered, and knocked again. This time, I finally heard footsteps, and some muffled cursing before the door was yanked open so abruptly, I jumped and nearly fell off the step.

  When my brain caught up with what my eyes were seeing, I actually felt surprised, that my tongue didn’t roll out like they did in the cartoons, or my eyes bulge out on stalks, when I saw how Dante was dressed. Actually, he wasn’t dressed. Well not unless towels had become a new fashion statement?

  “Cara? I mean, Grace?” He croaked, blinking at me as if confused. It was then that I really saw him. He was gorgeous, there was no denying that, but I could see a fine sheen of perspiration on his skin, and when I looked at his face, he looked pale under his olive complexion. It was obvious to me then, that Dante was sick.

  I turned my head to the car, and gave them the thumbs up, which was the signal that they could leave. When the car pulled away, I turned back to the man standing, and swaying slightly in the doorway. Rushing up the stairs, I stepped over his threshold and into his home, slipping an arm around him. I gasped when I felt the heat radiating off his body. God, he was burning up. He was like a furnace.

  “Did you get out of bed to answer the door?” I asked him, and he nodded. “Fine, you’re going back there then. Where’s your bedroom?”