Dante's Fire (8 page)

But it couldn't be real.

Selina stirred the rock candy into her coffee, round and round. She studied the motions as if it held all the answers. Looked up. "I only have one question left."

His world shattered piece by piece around him. "What's that?"

"Do you think Metallica is a better band or the original Van Halen?"

Daniel’s heart stopped. Then sped up as joy crashed through his body. "Definitely Metallica."

"I disagree."

Dante sipped his cappuccino and pushed the dessert toward her. "Tell me why."

***

She stepped out of the cab in front of her apartment and began to shake. Selina twisted her hands around the strap of her purse and prayed he wouldn't notice. The sight of the familiar street bathed in darkness stabbed her like needles as she fought the memories. God, she hated this, hated every part of this damn fear that slithered like a rattlesnake and bit hard and deep when she was unprepared.

But she couldn't invite Daniel in. She wasn't ready.

He stepped behind her and his presence calmed her jagged nerves. One warm hand rested on her upper arm as he stopped at the bottom of the stairs. "Do you want me to walk you up?"

She glanced at the cab. He'd already gone out of his way to ride with her uptown just to see her to the door. Now the cabbie waited impatiently for them to finish their goodbye and get his meter running again. Selina tilted her chin with determination. She refused to be afraid of her own apartment. Besides, the doorman waited there discreetly. Nothing would happen. "No, I'm fine. Thank you for a lovely evening."

He smiled down at her, obviously amused by her formality. "You're welcome." Dark eyes drilled into hers. "I want to see you again."

Sensual energy swirled around her and pulled tight. Her voice came out in a rough whisper. "Yes."

Slowly, he reached out and ran his fingers down her hair. Traced the line of her jaw. Then lowered his head.

His lips touched hers, feather light. Warm, soft lips molded to hers. The clean male scent of him swam around her and she longed for more. She opened her lips; her feet steady on the ground, her heart pounding, excitement and anticipation tingling her nerve endings. And--

Fabric tearing; fingers hurting; pain; violation; fear.

The image attacked without warning. Selina stumbled back a step, her arms automatically coming up to ward him off. Daniel kept still, giving her the space she needed, his face calm and impassive as if he was used to women freaking out after a polite goodnight kiss. He didn’t even know about the truth of the attack, believing she was only mugged and not assaulted.

"I'm—I’m sorry," she tore out. "I can't--"

"Stop. Selina, look at me." She forced herself to lift her head, humiliated beyond belief. Dark eyes stared back into hers with a gleam of patience and desire he didn't try to hide. As if he realized the truth behind the story she told everyone, understanding flickered over his face. "It's okay. I'm not going anywhere. Go upstairs. I'll wait right here until I see your light go on."

She nodded. "Thank you."

He smiled and motioned her in. Selina climbed the steps, unlocked the door, and made her way up the staircase. When she was safely in her apartment, she turned on all the lights and looked out the window. He stood by the taxicab, staring up at the lace curtains, until he saw her wave.

He waved back, climbed in the cab, and left.

With methodical movements, Selina went through her bedtime ritual. Changed into her pajamas, brushed her teeth, turned on the television, and propped up on her pillows to watch late night entertainment.

The screen swam before her as the tears burned and released. She sobbed with frustration at her inability to enjoy a kiss or a touch from a man. Would she ever be the same again? She turned out all the lights, flicked off the TV, and buried herself under the blankets.

Time ticked by with a painful slowness. Sleep eluded.

Now she knew why she'd kept Daniel at a respectable distance for so long. Not because he worked in the mailroom. Not because they ran in different social circles. Evidently, her heart had always known the moment she spent alone time with him, it would reinforce the fact he was special. He made her laugh. He made her feel good about herself. He made her feel safe.

And he was
hot
. All through dinner, she ached to touch him. To feel those carved lips slipping over hers. She already knew he'd be a patient, thorough lover. Those dark eyes held a sensual promise of the things he’d do to her when they were finally alone in a bedroom. She ached for more, but a simple kiss had her running for shelter. He didn't seem bothered, but Selina had to tell him what happened. He never pressed for more details regarding the mugging. If she wanted to continue this relationship, she needed to tell him the truth.

Despair leaked through her. Tears burned her lids, and a raw, aching emptiness reared up and swallowed her whole. She ached for safety, warmth, and tenderness...

"I'm here."

Chapter Seven

T
HE deep, gravelly voice cut through the darkness. Selina flung back the covers and turned.

Dante sat beside her bed. Dressed in black, with the fabric mask covering his face, he seemed like a superhero-gone bad. But he was hers. A deep longing rose inside of her for more of this man. More knowledge, more connection, more of...everything.

"Dante?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"How do you get in my apartment?"

He laughed, and the memories of Daniel’s laugh beckoned. She pushed the guilt aside. Dante was a mythic figure of the night. He didn't belong in the day, or to reality. She'd stopped searching for logical answers. Selina just knew she needed him.

"Magic. Why are you crying?"

She swiped her cheeks. "I feel like an idiot. I can't stand for anyone to touch me. I don't think I'll ever get past this."

Dante reached over, took her hand, and rubbed her cold flesh between his warm fingers. She relaxed and surrendered to his presence. "You're letting me touch you right now," he said.

Her face flushed. "That's different. It's a friendly touch." Selina tried not to fidget. "I meant sexually."

"Date tonight?"

"None of your business."

He laughed again. Then tipped her chin up. "You've been violated. This is a normal process and it takes time. It takes trust. But I can help you, if you'll let me."

"How?"

I can show you how to trust a man's touch again. I won't do anything you're uncomfortable with. But you need to learn to let go, to surrender. Do you trust me?"

Selina nodded. "Yes." This was the man who had saved her, helped her night after night, and held her hand while she cried. Yes, she trusted him on a basic level she’d never experienced before.

"Very well." He stood up, and with one smooth motion, stripped off his t-shirt.

Her mouth fell open in shock. He was beautiful, lean and muscled, with a flat stomach. Dante reached over and pulled back the sheet, revealing the simple t-shirt and shorts she normally wore to bed. Selina hesitated as her belly clenched in fear. Embarrassment at being exposed made her squirm inwardly. She couldn't remember the last time she was in bed with a man, let alone in her grungy clothes and not a piece of lace in sight. At least she had brushed her teeth.

She waited for him to climb into bed and prayed she wouldn’t act like a scared virgin.

“Invite me in.”

His command was dark, seductive, and demanding. Her skin prickled as awareness trickled through her. He never moved, never blinked, just stood before her like a gorgeous vampire from the night.

Her lower lip trembled. “Why?”

“Because this is your choice. Every move I make, every touch, is because you allow it. Your body and surrender is a gift to me. You have all the power, Selina.”

And as simple as that, some of her confidence was restored. He’d never push her to past her comfort zone. She trusted him.

She inched aside to make room. He climbed into bed wearing only a pair of low riding jeans and the black mask. His bare feet brushed her leg as he re-arranged the covers and settled close. Then with slow, deliberate movements, he placed his hands around her waist and pulled her towards him.

She sucked in her breath as heat singed her. God, he was deliciously warm and hard, his bare chest pressed against the flimsy cotton of her shirt. Her nipples rose on command and an itchy, unsettled ache throbbed between her thighs. One hard thigh wrapped around her leg so she was snuggled tightly around every inch of him. Her head spun at the feeling of safety, like a warm cocoon protected her. She relaxed inch by inch against him.

"Okay?" His breath stirred the tendrils of her hair against her ear.

"Yes." A few heartbeats passed. "Now what to do we do?"

Amusement laced his voice. "You're definitely a planner. This is it for now. Just relax."

His command allowed her to obey. Selina drifted in sensual heaven as he held her. After a few moments passed and she felt more relaxed and unpressured to touch him or make conversation, her muscles reached a new level of release she hadn't felt since the attack.

Then the feeling turned.

Her heart sped up as she became aware of the length of his body pressed against hers. The delicious scent of coffee and musk drifting from his skin. The sexy sensation of his breath against her ear. The obvious bulge against her leg told her he was aroused, though his level of control was that of a superhero. He never gave any indication he was uncomfortable.

Selina began thinking of other things. How his lips would taste against hers. How his hands would slide over her naked skin.

He gave a low, sexy laugh as if he knew her thoughts. "Let's move on now, shall we?" he murmured. Dante slid down a bit. Pushed her hair back. And lowered his head.

The sensation of his lips against the sensitive curve of her neck made her toes curl. He made his way up to her ear, nibbled on her lobe, as his hands stroked her nape with gentle, talented fingers. A moan rose up to her lips as she gave him further access.

He took it. His tongue swept down and licked the pounding pulse at the base of her neck. Nibbled over the swell of her breasts. She arched upward. God, she wanted his hands on her swollen nipples, wanted...

Bra torn, rough hands grabbing, hurting, twisting...

"No!" She stiffened as the image assaulted her vision and blurred the man in front of her. Instantly, he removed his hands from her body. She fought panic until the sound of her name spoken over and over cut through the fog.

"It's me. Look at me, Selina." She turned her head and focused on Dante. Dark eyes glimmered with patience, understanding, and desire. "It's me. Not them. Never them again."

"Not them."

"That's right, sweetheart." He smiled with encouragement, and then caressed her cheek. "Just me. They can never hurt you again."

She closed her eyes; afraid she'd never get past that barrier. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"No more apologies. A gorgeous, intelligent woman is allowing me the pleasure to lie down with her. Be with her. I'm the lucky one. Don't forget it."

She smiled, the warmth in his eyes allowing her to relax again. Who was this wonderful man who was so patient and kind and mysterious?

"Who are you?" she asked again. Selina reached out and touched the edge of the soft mask, tracing the outline of his eyes, his mouth, over his dark brows. He stiffened beneath her touch.

"You don't need to know."

"I know. But I want to know. Do you help all women who have been hurt?"

She watched him struggle, deciding whether or not to answer the question. He took the opportunity to begin touching her again, but this time when he caressed her shoulders and the top of her breasts, no image assaulted her vision. Just the tightening of desire for more.

"Yes. I have no control over where I'm sent. It can happen anytime, but it's usually at night. I'm pulled into the scene. Most of the time, I get there to stop the attack. Once in a while, I'm there too late." Shadows stole his vision for a moment, and Selina glimpsed a deep pain that was a part of who he was. "I help them. Stay with them during the nightmares. Transition them to heal."

"Do you make love to them?"

The question popped out of her mouth before she could stop it. Still, she waited for the answer, knowing it wouldn't change her opinion of him. Knowing he would do anything to replace violence with light.

"No." His gaze burned into hers. "I hold them. Let them get familiar with a man's touch again. Take away the fear. But I've never made love to a woman who needed my help. It’s against the rules."

“Rules? Tell me.”

He hesitated. Selina had a strange feeling he rarely talked to anyone about his abilities or limitations. She waited for him to ignore the question or tell her he couldn’t answer. Instead, he spoke.