A Wolf in the City

35. Danger of falling for Dante Barlowe.

RAVEN.

I am in my apartment thinking about the days' past event and most especially about him, this comes after I told Jackie about the situation between Dante and I, without even going deep enough like I usually would would my bestfriend. He had teased me about having a crush on him and what not while I scoff and refuse adamantly that it is just impossible.

I find myself wondering if there is some truth to his words. Could I really be in danger of falling for Dante Barlowe?

"That's impossible." I say aloud to the empty room. There is no way that will ever happen. Sure, the psychopath is sexy as hell and sure I sometimes find it incredibly hard to hide my body's response to him. Still, I am a twenty-seven year old woman- surely I can control those s****l urges without getting hurt.

The clock stikes four thirty, and I am startled, I jump from the chair and race towards the shower. I have to be out soon or Dante would show up with that annoying smirk and barbed tongue of his. My plan is to leave home and hang out in the hospital until late night. A fool-proof plan if I dare praise myself.

I shower quickly and dressed, opting for black jeans, an ivory top and a black, biker jacket, completing the outfit with black heeled boots. Surveying myself in the mirror, I smile in satisfaction. The outfit flatters my curvy figure, emphasizing the right areas and hiding the small bulge of my stomach. My hair - mercifully frizz free - lay in soft curls around my shoulders.

I grab my purse and coat, and make a beeline for the door. As I cross the lobby, I allow myself a sigh of relief. So far so good, all I have to do now is get in the car and -

"Bloody hell!" I stop in my tracks, barely aware of the obscenity I have just uttered loud enough for the few tenants milling about the busy lobby to hear. Oblivious to the curious looks being shot my way, I can only stare in stupefaction at the sight of the very man I had hoped to avoid sitting - no, slouching - in one of the chairs, looking for all the world as though he owns the place. "Crap." I mutter, aiming a freezing glare in his direction.

Escape is not an option now because he had already spotted me. He smirks at me, an eyebrow raised in silent triumph and I want nothing more than to slap that smug look away. I am torn. Should I stalk past him, nose in the air and ignore him or would returning back to the safety of my apartment on the second floor be a better option?

I weigh both options in my mind and decide on the former. Besides, going back would make the insufferable man think I am running away and that is never going to happen. I square my shoulders and lift my chin. I attempt to stalk past but in a move that left me dizzy, Dante is on his feet and in three quick strides, moves to stand in front of me in a wash of hot spicy cologne and pure male essence. "Going somewhere, princess?" His voice holds a mixture of mockery and amusement, eyes twinkling in mirth.

He raises an eyebrow in mock surprise when I simply glare at him, my eyes shooting virtual daggers. "Get out of my way, Dante." I hiss through clenched teeth. In spite of my outward anger, my traitorous body responds to the essence of him. How dare he look so...tempting and delicious in simple jeans and tshirt that emphasizes his amazing physique?

"I thought we had an arrangement, Martinez?" The infuriating psychopath replies with a chuckle that set my teeth on edge. "Yet here I find you about to sneak off on me when I explicitly told you to clear your schedule today."

Of all the damned nerve! "Arrangement?" I snarl, stepping closer so I can jab at his chest with her finger. "Why you smug..." The words trail off in a startled squeak as Dante wrap his arms around my waist and hurls me against his chest. Before I can catch my breath, his mouth descends on mine in a cruel, crushing kiss.

Every rational thought flees from my mind save one. Dante is kissing her. And in the scanty lobby no less. My body flares with heat, beginning from the point where his surprisingly soft lips touched mine and spreading down to pool in liquid heat between my thighs. A moan escape me as Dante traces the outline of my lips with his tongue, coaxing me to open up to him. I give in and moan again as his tongue slid into my mouth, exploring every corner while his arms tighten around me, pulling me even closer until I can feel the evidence of his desire for me pressing against my thighs.

My knees turns to jelly and I sag against him, surrendering to the desire that rage between us. The lobby and its occupants vanishes for me as my eyes flutters shut and all I can think or feel was centered on the lust building within me. I hear a dull thud and realize that I have dropped my purse when my hands came up to circle Dante's neck. Not caring, I kiss him back, giving as much as he gives. He breaks the kiss and I whimper in protest, lips parting and begging for more.

"Come with me.” He says.

His voice is thick with desire and without a second thought, I open my eyes, finding myself skewered by the intensity of lust in them and I nod. Dante pulls away, though he still keeps an arm around my waist as I let him lead me toward the main door. My brain is still in a haze and I am only vaguely aware of the curious looks being cast in our direction by the workers and tenants which had somehow doubled than before, and the shocked looks of the few staff who knows me too well to be stunned by the public display they had just witnessed.

Dante leads me outside and towards a dark red sports car parked illegally by the curb. He opens the door and I slide inside. "Where are we going?" I ask when he starts the engine.

He pulls away from the curb and joins the light traffic, heading north and then he responds, "Some place where we can have a conversation without interruption.”