by Abby Niles
Dante. Her heart twisted.
He was never going to forgive her.
“What are you thinking over there, Caitlyn?”
She scowled. Even his voice disgusted her. “None of your damned business.”
His chuckle sparked her anger. Whipping her head around, she stared at his profile. “You’re low-lying slime, do you know that?”
Sentori glanced at her, amusement twisting his lips. “Now, now, no reason to get hostile. The person you should be mad at is yourself. You started this game.”
“It’s not a game.”
“Isn’t it? You have an agenda and so do I.”
“Take me home, Sentori.”
“In due time, my sweet.”
Cait huffed, contemplating jumping out the damned door. If her life had been in immediate danger, she would have.
Another hour of tense silence passed before Sentori finally stopped in front of her apartment complex. Flinging open the door, Cait hopped out and started across the asphalt. Footsteps fell into step behind her. She whirled and almost slammed into Sentori. She stepped back. “I don’t need an escort.”
“Night’s not over yet.”
Before she could so much as gasp, he yanked her into his arms. One hand was locked on the back of her nape, keeping her head immobile as he kissed her, a bruising, aggressive kiss that cut her teeth into the back of her lips. The metallic taste of blood tinged her tongue. Cait shoved at his chest. After he ground his mouth into hers one last time, he released his hold on her head and jerked her wrists behind her back. Skin twisting against bone made her cry out.
When Sentori buried his head into her neck, followed by a sharp pain as he bit and sucked, the shock of what was happening wore off and fury filled her.
Her knee jerked up, hard and fast, connecting with vulnerable flesh. He stiffened, his eyes wide in surprise.
“You disgusting bastard.” She kicked him before walking away.
“Try explaining that to Dante.”
Sentori’s words froze her.
She touched her lips. Swollen. Bruised. With her tongue, she traced the cut on the back of her lip. The bottom one would still be puffy tomorrow. Proof of a night of rough sex. She had little doubt Sentori would claim she’d been a wildcat.
The side of her neck throbbed. A bite mark marred her skin. Furious, she spun around and marched back over to Sentori. She kicked his hip. She started to leave, but then she paused. Giving into her urges, she whacked him upside the head with her purse.
“Asshole.”
Sentori laughed.
She strode across the parking lot to her apartment and fished her keys out of her purse, muttering obscenities the entire way. She thrust the door open and slammed it behind her.
Flicking on the light, she went to the mirror hanging on the wall. As she suspected, her bottom lip was swollen, giving her the kissed-senseless look. She inspected her neck and found a bruise—no, a fucking hickey—forming. She flung her purse on the table, and noted the red marks marring her wrist.
Damn it!
Muffled footsteps sounded from the hall. She froze. His scent enveloped her and she closed her eyes. She wouldn’t have time to rectify the damage. He’d see it fresh.
“Dante.”
“Where’ve you been, Caitlyn?”
Shoulders rigid, she stood with her back to him, unable to face him. He’d believe she’d slept with Sentori. Tomorrow when the rumors started flying, he’d have his beliefs confirmed. She wanted nothing more than to confess everything, but she couldn’t.
For him, for his fight, for his future, she couldn’t.
She slowly turned, prepared for his concern to switch to scathing accusations as he took in her disheveled appearance.
His eyes narrowed on her lips then traveled to her neck, to her wrist, and he went ramrod straight. “He hurt you.”
Cait inhaled sharply. That’d been the last thing she’d expected him to say. “Dante—”
He rushed by her, flinging the front door open.
She grabbed his arm. “Where are you going?”
He jerked away from her, looking at her with an expression of such murderous rage, her breath caught tight in her lungs.
“He’s fucking dead.”
He started out the door. Fear for him and what he was capable of in his current state scattered her thoughts. “Dante, it’s over. Let it go.”
“It’s not over! He put his hands on you. Hurt you. He’ll bleed for that. I swear it.”
As he stalked down the breezeway, she hurried to intercept him at the stairs. He stopped, his nostrils flaring, fist clenching and unclenching at his side, his eyes not seeing her even though he stared at her.
“Don’t leave me,” she blurted. She’d say anything to keep him with her, make sure he didn’t wind up in jail.
“Did he—” He ground his teeth. “Did he—”
“No! Oh God, Dante. No. He didn’t. He wants you to think we slept together. It’s evidence, that’s all.”
“Evidence?” He grabbed her hands and lifted them up. The red on her wrists had faded to purple. “He did this to you as evidence. He’s going to pay, Caitlyn. Tonight.”
When he moved to walk around her, she shuffled back in front of him. “He already has. I have a great self-defense teacher. I left him rolling in the parking lot clutching his crotch.”
Even though he didn’t even crack a smile, she sensed some of the tension creep out of him. Cait stepped closer, wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her head on his chest. “Dante, don’t leave. Stay with me.”
He held her tight, his arms around her, as he kissed the top of her head. “I won’t go anywhere, but it kills me to know he touched you like that, Caitlyn.”
She leaned back. His jaw was tight, eyes closed. She rose on her tiptoes, kissed his cheek, and whispered, “Then erase his touch.”
Eyes popping open, Dante stared down at her as if battling indecision. That he faltered surprised her. A thread of panic weaved into her chest. Now that his knee-jerk reaction had calmed, was he second-guessing her words? Thinking she lied?
Before she could contemplate why he wavered, his lips claimed hers.
Cait opened to him as his tongue slipped into her mouth, caressing. A gentle, hesitant kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed closer. The ugliness of the night melted into the background. The only thing that existed was her in Dante’s arms.
He scooped her up, never breaking their kiss. He carried her so effortlessly, as if she were the lightest woman on earth. Cradled against his chest, she truly felt small. Vulnerable.
Once inside the apartment, he kicked the door closed behind him and strode to her darkened bedroom. As he lowered her to her feet, he reached for the light. Panic engulfed her and she grabbed his arm. “No, please. Keep it off.”
Dante shook his head. “Not happening.”
As light flooded the room, every monstrous insecurity roared with a vengeance. She wanted to cry. To scream. She’d freely offered herself to this man. Finally. She’d been ready, willing, wanting to feel his skin against hers. With one flick of the switch, all she could focus on was knowing he’d see her naked body, see every flaw.
“Please, Dante.”
She despised that she begged. Pathetic.
Dante gripped her hips and kissed her. “I want to see you, Caitlyn. All of you.”
Horrible images of her rounded belly, stretch marks and plump thighs flew into her mind. “I can’t let you see me.”
His brows drew together in a deep scowl. “I want to see you.”
They stared at each other. A battle of wills. Hers driven by fear, his by determination. Cait wanted to run from the room, ashamed she’d let her mind ruin this moment, but unable to rise above her ugly thoughts.
Dante sighed and dropped his hold on her. “Fine,” he said, and walked out of the room.
Cait stared after him. He’d left? Just like that?
The room closed in on he
r. She had her answer. Her inability to make love with the lights on had disgusted him.
Crossing her arms, she sat on the edge of the bed. She should go after him, but her legs were incapable of holding her weight. She waited for the slamming of the front door. It never came.
Instead, Dante strode back into the room. She jerked to her feet. He was still there. Then her eyes settled on the crimson piece of fabric hanging from his hand, the sash from the curtains in the living room.
“Turn around, Caitlyn,” he said.
The determination in his voice mesmerized her. Dante placed his hands on her shoulders and rotated her. She didn’t fight, too curious as to what he was about to do. The fabric covered her eyes and blocked the light.
“You can have your dark, Caitlyn,” he whispered in her ear, “and I will have my light.”
She shivered as his breath fanned her cheek. “Dante—”
“Shh, it’s dark, Caitlyn. Embrace it and just feel.”
His lips brushed her neck. Goosebumps rose on her skin. Then the heat from his nearness was gone. The area around her felt empty, cold. A click echoed in the room. She turned toward the noise, knowing it was her bedroom door closing.
“Dante?”
“I’m right here.”
Warmth returned as two light kisses were placed on each of her wrists before his hands claimed her hips and his chest brushed hers. Cait swallowed and concentrated on the dark, trying to ignore the knowledge that he could see her clearly.
“Relax.”
Easier said than done. The makeshift blindfold gave her the darkness she craved, but her mind refused to play along. She envisioned Dante before her in all his naked splendor. Tanned, muscular, perfect, staring at her plump body. Tears welled in her eyes. “I can’t do this.”
“You’re thinking too much. I’ll have to put a stop to that.”
Next thing she knew, her shirt was over her head. She gasped as the air touched her stomach, and her hands flew to conceal herself. Dante’s warm palms covered hers and pulled them away. “Never hide yourself from me.”
His lips touched her belly, trailing kisses up to the curve of her breast.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured against her skin.
Cait shuddered and placed her hands on his shoulder for balance. The cotton of his shirt was soft against her palms. A reminder he was still clothed while she stood half-naked.
As if sensing she was thinking again, Dante sucked an aching nipple into his mouth through the fabric of her bra. Gasping, she fisted the material of his shirt in her hands.
His fingers fumbled with the clasp. The lace gave way and slid down her arms. Dante breathed in sharply. “Lovely.”
Embarrassed heat flushed her skin. But the sincerity in his tone gave her the strength to stand still and allow him to look.
He cupped her breast, rubbing his thumb over the sensitive nipple. Cait moaned and pressed into his hand.
“You fill my hand. Perfect.” He paused. “Perfect for me.”
Perfect. He found her perfect.
Moisture gathered between her legs, a slow throb pulsed. She ran her hands along his shoulders and up his neck. Wet heat encased her breast as his mouth closed around her, sucking deeply.
Electricity ran from her nipple straight to her core. Throwing her head back, she moaned as she laced her fingers around the back of his head to hold him close. He switched to the other breast and gave it the same treatment, inflaming her desires to a new level. Her awareness of the light faded with each touch.
Dante skimmed his lips over her shoulders and neck to her mouth, taking her in a deep kiss. He cupped her bottom and brought her close. His jeans-restrained erection pressed into her belly. So very hard and impressive. Rubbing against him, she fell completely into the darkness, her need taking control.
Cait searched for the hem of his shirt and tugged. Dante broke the kiss. Material rustled momentarily, then she was back in his arms. The contact of his naked chest touching her breasts made her tremble. No hair. All hot skin.
He buried his face in her neck and lightly bit the area Sentori had marked, then licked it. She tilted her head back and allowed him to remove every trace of the other fighter from her body. Allowed Dante to make his mark.
“You’re mine, Caitlyn.”
“I’m yours,” she whispered.
Dante growled. Shivers of excitement raced through her. His fingers grasped the button of her jeans. Reality stepped back in with the speed of a freight train and she stiffened.
“No,” Dante said. “Just feel.”
He popped the button. The sound of the zipper lowering ricocheted around the room, tightening Cait’s tension.
“Shh,” Dante breathed against her stomach as he pushed the jeans to the ground.
She waited to feel the air hit her bottom, a harsh reminder she stood before this man naked. The coolness never came.
Cait hiccupped a quiet sob as gratitude lifted her heart. He’d left on her boyshorts. He understood how hard this was for her, that each step was a new milestone. He allowed her the opportunity to adjust, to enjoy, before moving on to the next step.
God, this man was wonderful.
His fingers grazed their way up the inside of her leg, stopping just inches from her core. As if her body pleaded for him, the throbbing intensified. Cait shifted her legs further apart. His open mouth replaced his fingers.
At the change in sensation, Cait gasped. The wetness of his tongue lapped at her inner thigh before slowly moving up. He nuzzled the front of her panties. She shuddered, grabbing his shoulders for support as her legs begged to crumble and spread for him. “Oh, God.”
“Do you like that?”
“Y-yes.”
His tongue traced the waistband of her panties, scorching her stomach.
“Dante, please.”
Gone was all inhibition, all insecurities. Need for him consumed her. In one swift movement, her panties were gone. Dante took her into his arms and laid her on the floor. Soft carpet cushioned her back as he covered her body with his. His weight pressed into her, exuding his raw power. The power he had over her.
He claimed her lips then shifted, the sound of his zipper filling the air. Moments later, he settled between her legs. His hardness pushed against her. She arched toward him, but he backed away. “Not so fast, Caitlyn. I’m not done loving you.”
With his mouth, he raked a line from her lips down her body until his breath blew on the area screaming to be touched. He paused and she knew he was viewing her in all her naked glory.
She didn’t care. She just wanted. Wanted to see him. To watch him love her. Yanking off the blindfold, she looked at Dante, who knelt between her thighs.
He smiled, a lopsided smile. “Hey, baby.”
The raw desire in his eyes erased any lingering doubt. She widened her legs. “Please.”
His smile turned wolfish. “My pleasure.”
Dante’s head dipped down and he nuzzled the curls with his nose. Cait watched, awed at the sight the darkness had denied her. His tan skin contrasted with her paleness. His broad shoulders dominated the space between her legs, the muscles rippling as he positioned lower.
Their gazes met across the length of her body. Cait’s heart tripped. She’d never shared this kind of intimacy with anyone. The impact stunned her.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Another crooked grin stretched his lips, then she felt the first touch of his tongue. She gasped as he worked his magic. He teased, licked, sucked, and curled the ball of desire tighter and tighter until she exploded. Arching off the floor, she screamed her climax.
Dante straightened and took a shuddering breath. “Beautiful.”
Cait drifted back to the here and now and glanced at him. He’d watched her as no man ever had, in the grip of her release. His expression spoke volumes—he’d enjoyed every second of it. Dante rained kisses over her belly. Cait stroked the back of his head. Content. Complete.
No, n
ot complete. Yet. “I want you inside me.”
Dante’s head snapped up. Cait smiled. He’d been unprepared for that. It was his fault. He’d released her inner vixen and she wanted to embrace it.
He straightened and hooked his hands behind her knees. Dragging her forward, he draped a leg on either side of his waist. “I want to be inside you, too.”
He reached for his jeans and grabbed a condom from the back pocket. Ripping the foil open with his teeth, he quickly sheathed his erection. Anticipation coiled deeply. Soon, so soon, she would know what it was like to be taken by Dante Jones. The Inferno. Fitting, since that was the sensation he created within her.
He gripped her hips and brushed against her. Still sensitive from her orgasm, Cait moaned and closed her eyes. Once more, he brushed against her.
“Open your eyes, Caitlyn.”
She did as he commanded and his heated gaze seared hers. Dante probed the folds of her center. He slowly pushed inside her. Cait arched, her body stretching to accept him. Dante closed his eyes, his jaw tightening, breathing deeply.
She marveled at him. This strong warrior fought for control. She wiggled closer. His eyes snapped open. “Don’t move, Caitlyn. I’ve been waiting a long time for this and my body knows it.”
She stilled, watching him regain control. When he climbed up her body and pressed her into the carpet, she knew he had regained control. He combed the hair from her forehead, fanning kisses over her face, and he took his sweet time thrusting into her. Cait grasped his butt, encouraging him to increase his speed, but he denied her, setting the lovemaking at his pace.
He moved his head to the curve of her neck. “You feel so good around me. So warm. So tight.”
Cait’s breath caught. She turned her head and took his lips. He groaned and rose, ravishing her mouth with deep, purposeful flicks of his tongue. She met each swipe with her own demands. Inviting him to abandon his slow progression and take her. Hard and fast.
He must have sensed her urgency because his thrusts increased. Dante tore away from her lips and buried his head in her shoulder, his plunges faster, rougher. Cait moaned, scratching her way down his back to grab his butt, helping him pump into her. Her need was unbearable. Their short, choppy breaths melded in the air.
