“Hey, are you still there?” Griffin said into his ear.
“Yeah, I’m here,” he answered as Amara picked her scattered clothing off his bedroom floor. “I’ll bring her around when I’m ready. You know how it is when a new relationship is starting. You don’t want anything to mess it up, so give me some time and you will get to meet her with the rest of the gang.”
“All right, I better let you go because I need to get ready for this interview. She’s the only person who answered the Tanners list posting. I’m hoping she’ll be the one or Caleb is screwed to have his ass at the front desk for another two weeks at the most.”
Dante chuckled. “Oh, he’ll love that. I’ll see you soon,” he said then hung up.
Eyeing Amara, he strolled over to the bed and tossed his clothing down on the rumpled sheets then wrapped his arms around her waist. He tried kissing the back of her neck, but she squirmed out of his embrace.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, watching as she spun around then moved away holding her clothing against her chest.
She lowered her thick, black lashes hiding her eyes like she was trying to avoid looking at him. For a minute Dante thought it was because he was naked but quickly shook that idea from his head. Something else was going on with her and they wouldn’t leave his bedroom until he found out what it was. Last night was huge step forward for them to only take twenty steps back.
“Baby, I can’t fix what’s upsetting you unless you tell me. Now, look at me and let me in.”
Amara looked at him for a few minutes and then finally spoke. “I slept with you on our first date. Do you know what that says about me? I had a sixty day rule and until I met you no other man made me want to break it.”
“Sweetheart, I consider this at least our third date and I’m glad I made you break that stupid sixty day rule. Why do most women do that?” He laughed. “I never saw any point to it.”
“Dante, it’s not funny,” Amara snapped, throwing her shirt at him.
Catching it, he tossed it down on the bed with his stuff and walked across the carpet until he was standing directly in front of her. He gently took the rest of her things out of her hand and added them to the things behind them on the bed.
“Sleeping with me last night doesn’t make you anything but a woman who gave into the heat of the moment. Honestly, as bad as I wanted you, I don’t know if I could have made it another night without having you in my bed. I swear you were making me have wet dreams like I was a kid again with his first crush on the hottest girl in class.”
Dante noticed how Amara’s eyes lit up at his confession. He hoped he got her over her worries about her decision concerning last night. “Besides, I actually seduced you into my bed because someone as innocent as you wasn’t prepared for me. I guess if anyone is to blame then it’s me, but I can’t imagine you being sorry about it now.”
“I bet you’ve broken a lot hearts in the past,” she said.
Amara probably was right. Over the years, he might have crushed hearts and tears were cried on pillows because of him, but he never lied to any of those women. They all knew he wasn’t looking for a walk down the aisle with them.“I might know of a few,” Dante admitted.
“Have you ever fallen for a woman but she never wanted you back?” Amara asked. “Unless, you have then you never will know the pain of getting over a broken heart. It’s very hard, especially for a woman.”
For a split second, Keira’s name came into his head then he tossed it away. His attraction to her for those short weeks had nothing to do with love. The way he was beginning to feel about Amara was on a different level entirely. Keira never had him awake at night wondering about her well-being..
“No, I can’t say that I have,” he answered, honestly. Not liking the heaviness of the conversation, Dante decided to lighten it up. “I need to work for a few hours at Inked to fill in for Caleb. So, I was about to jump into the shower. Do you want to join me?”
Her gaze held his. “Can you really shower with me without anything else happening?” she questioned, doubt clear in her soft voice.
Smiling at Amara, Dante brushed his knuckles down the side of her cheek. “Darling, if I wasn’t on a schedule I would do more than take a shower with you. However, Griffin is counting on me to help him, so I can’t do anything else.”
“I don’t know.”
“Come on. I’ll wash your back for you. I promise it will be something you will never forget.”
“Well, I can’t let an endorsement like that pass me by, can I?” Amara said grabbing his hand. “Let’s go and take a shower but remember no funny business, Mr. Braden.”
“Oh, I promise no making love, but I didn’t rule out a kiss or two,” Dante said as he allowed Amara to pull him towards the bathroom.
Chapter Thirty-Four
His firm mouth demanded a response from her and Amara was more than eager to give it to Dante. She was too caught up in the moment to even care about who might see them outside.
Dante’s mouth left hers to nibble at her earlobe leaving her mouth swollen, but wanting more. He planted a tantalizing kiss in the hollow of her neck before lifting his head staring down into her eyes. She had no doubt that he couldn’t miss reading the barely concealed desire there for him.
“I really loved our shower this morning,” Dante whispered against her mouth as he ran his hands up and down her arms while they were still parked inside his truck. “We should stop before I forget where I am,” he whispered, softly brushing his thumb over her bottom lip. “Don’t get me wrong. I loved kissing you, sweetheart, but now isn’t the time or place for us to continue this.”
Amara blinked trying to get herself back together after the unexpected kiss from Dante. His lips were more persuasive than she cared to admit. Truthfully, her calm was shattered with the hunger of his masterful kisses.
They had arrived at the shelter ten minutes ago, but Amara hadn’t found the energy to pull herself away from Dante. Nothing in a very long time had felt this good. So, why would she be willing to rush away from it?
“I liked it a lot myself after we actually finally took a shower,” she admitted, grinning at him. “Didn’t you promise nothing else would happen but maybe a few kisses? I believe you broke your word.”
Amara didn’t have time to react before Dante yanked her against his chest and ran his hands up and down her back sending tiny shivers of awareness down her spine. God...she loved how he made her turn into a puddle of emotions.
“Are you complaining? I believe I remember my name was screamed more than once while the water pounded down over our naked bodies? I thought breaking my word today was an extremely good thing.”
As the image of her wet and naked with Dante back at his house suddenly flashed in her head, Amara couldn’t deny that it wouldn’t be something she would forget anytime soon.
“I’m not saying it wasn’t incredible but aren’t you late?” she questioned. “I thought you were supposed to be at Inked an hour ago.”
“I don’t consider myself late since Griffin just called me out of the blue to come in and help him. He only needed to do an interview for a floor manager and he didn’t even tell me when my first client was coming.”
She didn’t want to let Dante leave, but they both had things that needed to be taken care of. After she showered and changed clothes she would see if Pastor Allen needed her help. If not, she would take care of some personal things. She still hadn’t checked in with Mr. Lee and let him know that she was doing well. She still had to thank him since everything good started happening for her the second she came to the shelter.
“What do you want to do after I leave the shop?” Dante asked, moving back from her.
Amara wasn’t picky. Anything would be good as long as they got to spend time together.
He made her not pity or long for what others had that she didn’t anymore. Dante was giving her the support and compassion that she usually gave to Liam and Theresa when they needed it from her.
>
Now, with all of the blessings she had been given over the past few weeks she felt like she could exclude everything else that was going on around her, and the day-to-day struggles she had to survive. Since all of the huge drama was gone out of her life, she could pursue her goal of reentering college, getting a job and finding a place to live that wasn’t the shelter.
“I’m up for anything,” Amara answered, meaning every word. ”I want to do something exciting.”
Dante’s eyes brightened with excitement as he ran his hands up and down her jean clad thigh making her pussy throb. God, she had it bad for him! She should be scared because things seemed like they were moving so fast, but she loved every bit of it.
“I’ll have to think about what I can set up for us, but I know I can think of something you’ll like.” Leaning forward, he planted a kiss on her mouth but moved back before she could deepen it.
She gave him a surprised look. “I wanted more than that.”
“Baby, I would love to carry this further but if I don’t leave right now, I really will be late.”
“Okay, I should be going too but I’ll be waiting for you here later,” she said then gave Dante another quick kiss before getting out of the vehicle.
Standing in the parking lot, Amara waved at Dante before he drove away. She watched his truck until it turned the corner and disappeared from sight. She couldn’t keep the smile off her face as she walked towards the back entrance.
“Amara, there you are.”
Spinning around, she saw Pastor Allen walking in her direction with a pair of gardening tools in his hand. Had she really been so lost in thought that she hadn’t noticed him in the community garden at the back of the building?
“Hi,” she answered, waiting for him to join her. “How are you doing? Do you need to see me about something?”
“I’m doing fine. Yes, I need to tell you something. I was going to do it last night, but the rainstorm hit and Dante called to tell me that he would keep you at his house until this morning. So, I can tell you now.”
“There isn’t anything wrong with Mr. Lee or anyone else is there?” Amara asked, worried something was wrong with one of her friends.
“No, it isn’t anything like that at all. Actually, I think it’s very good news for you,” Pastor Allen said. “I asked around to a few people that I know and got you a job interview.”
Amara’s heart leaped up in her chest. “What! How?” she asked, dazed yet shocked all at the same time. “I don’t understand. None of this is making any sense. I’ve been trying for weeks to get something.”
“I kept asking around until someone finally agreed to give you one. Now, it’s nothing big,” he pointed out to her. “It’s basically answering the phones and other office duties at a small community center across town. They can’t pay you a lot, but I know the guy who runs it and he was looking for someone while his wife goes back to college. So, I told him about you. He wants to see you tomorrow morning at nine o’clock.”
“I don’t know what to say,” she said, rushing to Pastor Allen and giving him a hug.
The elderly man patted her on the back before she moved away from him. Everything was happening so fast for her now. It was almost like everything she had to experience was meant to be so she could have this moment in time.
She had an interview tomorrow for a job, but suddenly all of the excitement she felt vanished as reality set in. “I can’t go on a job interview.”
“Why not?” he asked. “What changed your mind so suddenly?”
Amara glanced down at her outfit and then back up at him. “I have nothing appropriate to wear. I want to make a good impression. Jeans and a t-shirt won’t do that.”
Smiling at her, Pastor Allen placed his hand on her arm and directed her towards the shelter’s back door. “I believe I can help you with your problem. Yesterday, we got a huge donation for our clothes closet and I believe I saw several dresses and other items in your size. Let’s go and take a look at them. Some of the items still even have the tags on them.”
“No, I couldn’t take something from someone else that might need it more than me,” she said.
“You aren’t taking anything,” Pastor Allen insisted. “I’m offering them to you and if I remember correctly I believe I saw some beauty supplies, like new containers of make-up and other items, you might be able to use as well.”
She wanted to argue but didn’t see any point to it. One thing she learned from the time she had spent at the shelter was once he made up his mind there was no changing it.
Happiness was boiling over inside of her and she couldn’t wait until she saw Dante and got to share her news with him. She could only imagine how he was going to feel for her. Just thinking about him made her eager to lay eyes on him again. She had never been so into another person like this before, if this is what love felt like then she would like another dose of it.
****
“Man, I can’t thank you enough for coming in on your day off from the bar and working on Caleb’s clients,” Griffin told Dante as he got his station ready for his first client.
For Dante, being back at Inked and in a working capacity after so long felt strange, but familiar in some way. This place is what got him started on his road toward success. How could he not come back and help Griffin out when he needed it the most?
“We’ve been through too much for me not to help you out. Have you heard from Caleb anymore?” he asked.
“Can you believe he came in about twenty minutes ago actually thinking I was going to let him on someone’s body. I don’t care how many cups of coffee he’d tossed back since we talked on the phone. I thought he was past all of this, but I guess I was wrong. I can’t keep Caleb here if he’s going to continue going down this road.”
“Do you need me to talk with him?” he asked. “You know sometimes he’ll open up to me more than you.”
Griffin looked at him for a few minutes before answering. “No, I don’t think you should say anything to him.”
Dante had a sense of what was going on with Caleb, but he didn’t want to bring it up to Griffin. They probably both actually knew when their buddy started to change.
Shit! Caleb wasn’t even ready to admit it to himself. So, how could they bring it up to him? He would only shut them down and the more they pushed, the further he would lie about what was going on with him.
“I just feel so bad for him. I know how much he loved Zeniya. Maybe if he only gave more to their relationship,” Dante pointed out. He had begged Caleb more than once to change or it would come back to haunt him, but he didn’t listen and it cost him a lot.
“I know, but we can’t help someone who doesn’t want it,” Griffin pointed out. “I’m done talking about him. I want to know who spent the night at your house. From the smile on your face when you sauntered through the door, I’m guessing you had a very good night. Thank God because you were getting a little cranky.”
He stopped working on getting his old station together and glared at Griffin. He wasn’t getting cranky. Why in the hell would his best friend tell him something so crazy like that? He had been perfectly fine without sex for the past three months, so Griffin didn’t know what he was talking about.
“I haven’t been in any kind of mood lately,” he denied, vehemently. “Why would you say that I have?”
Leaning back in the chair, Griffin crossed his ankles then folded his hands on his stomach. “You have to admit that ever since you tried to get in touch with your brothers and they rejected your olive branch again that you haven’t been the same. You’ve made a couple of bad choices like getting involved with Bambi which completely blindsided me.”
Dante wanted to deny it, but he couldn’t because some of what Griffin was saying was partially true, but he only dated Bambi because she was there when he needed something to take his mind off things, but she was only a bad memory.
“I can’t disagree with you about her. I was walking around in a fog for a while,
but I’ve gotten past it. I’m actually a lot happier than I was.”
“Does this newfound happiness involve our spunky little food stealer from the rainstorm named Amara?” Griffin smirked, shocking him.
“Why are you bringing Amara up? I haven’t talked about her in a while.” He didn’t want anyone’s opinion about why he was seeing Amara. It was his business and not theirs.
“Why shouldn’t you talk about Amara when I saw the both of you ride off on your motorcycle yesterday? The change in her appearance in unbelievable. I almost didn’t even recognize her.”
“How did you see us? I didn’t see you anywhere around,” he asked, stunned.
His best friend’s smirk grew even wider as he arched an eyebrow. “I know that you didn’t because you only had eyes for her. I have to tell you that she really looked good. I never would have guessed that hot little package was underneath all of that dirt and torn clothing.”
“Stop!” Dante shouted then lowered his voice. “I wouldn’t say anything else about her if I were you.”
“Calm down, buddy. I wasn’t going to say anything bad about her. I like Amara. She’s just what you need in your life. So, how long has she been living at the shelter?”
“I really can’t tell you because I haven’t asked her. She still has a hard time talking about not having a real roof over her head. However, I don’t like the idea of her being there anymore myself. Especially since some man she knew while living on the streets named Mr. Lee got her a bed there. He owns a dry cleaners about three blocks from here.”
Frowning, Griffin leaned forward in his seat. “What’s wrong with the outreach shelter? I thought Pastor Allen ran a pretty safe haven for the homeless. Has something changed since you were there last with donations?”
Dante placed his tattoo equipment down in front of him. “No, nothing has changed that I know of, but—”
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