“No, he hasn’t said, and I haven’t asked.”
“This is very important. Have you ever been over to his apartment after dark?”
“After dark? No, I’ve never been there at all.”
“You’ve never been alone with him? At any time? You’re sure?”
“Of course I’m sure. Dante, you’re scaring me. What is going on?”
“Ryan is dangerous. Or rather he keeps dangerous company. You must keep your friend away from him. Though it may be too late.”
“What, you mean she may already like him too much to listen?”
“In a manner of speaking. I recognised something about him yesterday. Something I haven’t encountered in a long time. I was afraid you would think it was none of my business, but I had to try to warn you.”
“Warn me about what? I don’t understand. What exactly do you want me to do?”
“Whatever it takes to keep your friend safe.”
Alex was surprised at the slight strain in her voice as she said, “You really do care about her don’t you?” She hadn’t even realised it was there until she spoke out loud. Perhaps it got to her that Lauren was right after all, that underneath everything Dante was jealous of Ryan.
She felt his strong hands cup her face, raising it to look at him. Touching…again with the touching. She looked into the warm depths of his eyes, that almost hypnotic lightness again, like mini storms on his irises, feeling she could truly get lost in them.
“Did you want to know the truth?” he asked. Alex gripped his forearms and nodded slowly.
“I can’t tell you all of it, not just yet. But I can tell you that I don’t care about your friend or your boyfriend, in any way. The people you choose to associate with are of no consequence to me. But,” he said, caressing her cheek, “You love them, and what you love is important to me to protect.”
Alex noted the sudden change again in his voice, the softness returning. She had no idea if it was deliberate on his part, but it scared and excited her at once. What was this guy’s deal? Why was she so intrigued by him? How could he have this effect on her?
Her voice was only a whisper now. “But why? What are you protecting me from?”
Alex had been unconsciously inching closer to him the entire time he held her. Her body was pressed against his. Their lips were only centimetres apart. The tips of their noses brushed against each other, she could feel his cool breath on the front of her neck. Alex closed her eyes, not even daring to think about what was going to happen, or the fact she wanted it. She finally felt his lips, but on her forehead.
“Soon, I’ll tell you. For now, you must focus on your friend.”
And then he let go of her. Alex’s eyes opened as reality hit, and the room had started to spin on her. Dante caught her as she stumbled and headed to the floor.
“Time to go home, beautiful,” he said, carrying her out to the back door of his office in his arms. Even in her tipsy state, she noted how gently he held her. How strong was he?
“I’m sorry. I don’t usually get...like this.” She felt so sleepy, so safe, and she closed her eyes.
“Wakey wakey,” he whispered. “I can carry you everywhere, but I don’t know the code.”
Alex had no idea how long she had been asleep, but found she was still in Dante’s arms, only now he was standing before the security doors of her apartment building.
“Hello house,” she sang.
Alex let herself down but was wobbly, and Dante caught her again before she toppled against the wall. “God, now this is embarrassing. Thank you so much. I’m so sorry. Umm…six, six, eight, seven. No…one, seven. It’s apartment four.”
The door gave a short beep.
“And here we are,” Dante said.
“Huh? We were just outside?”
“You may have passed out again.”
“Oh god. I swear you spiked those beers. Let me find my keys.”
“Allow me.” Holding her with one hand, Dante reached and fished out her keys from his own pocket. Alex leaned her head on his shoulder, partly nuzzling him.
“How come you’ve got them?” Alex asked as Dante unlocked the door.
“We drove here in your car. I told you I would get you both home safe and sound. Now do I have your permission to go inside?”
“Why are you so amazing?” Alex asked, finishing the last word loudly, throwing her head back, only half-joking.
Dante smiled, but his tone was anything but happy. “I assure you, I’m not. So can I come in?”
Alex waved a dramatic hand towards the doorway. “You may enter.”
Dante stepped through into her apartment. “You better put me down in case anyone’s here.”
“We’re alone.”
“Well, let me put on the light.”
“No need.” He carried her towards the bedroom.
“How the hell do you know where my bedroom is, mister?” Alex said, pushing her finger into his cheek.
“It smells like you.”
Alex let out a half-hearted gasp. “Well I never. You saying I smell bad?”
“Not at all,” He said, stopping, suddenly drawing her cheek closer to his nose, so close that he actually leaned in the extra distance and lightly flicked her neck with it, inhaling just loud enough for her to hear. She locked her wrists around him a little more securely as he muttered, “Quite lovely.”
The room was pitch black, but Dante found the bed easily and lowered her onto it, removing her shoes. “Oi!” she muttered, realising how drunk she sounded. “I forgot. How are you getting home? If you need to call a cab, you can use my
