18

"Do you know that you're the absolute worst?"

Normally, I'd be excited that Dante is taking me somewhere for a surprise, but when I asked for another coffee—like any reasonable person would—he told me no.

Let me repeat that.

He told me no !

The nerve of this man.

"Are you still pouting over there?" he asks, a grin tugging at his lips as he glances over at me. The sun casts a golden glow on his dark brown eyes, making them shimmer like amber, but I won't let them distract me from my irritation.

My gasp is intentionally loud and full of drama. "I am not… pouting! I'm too cute to pout."

"That you are," he mutters, snickering to himself.

"No, I mean, I'm so fucking adorable that I shouldn't have to pout. You should just automatically give me whatever I ask for." I strike a sexy pose for good effect.

"That's a pretty high-level demand… what if your requests are unreasonable?"

I scoff and roll my eyes, looking over my freshly painted blue fingernails. "What would you consider unreasonable?"

"Murder?"

I give a thoughtful hum. "I can think of one person you'd murder for me."

He grunts something that sounds suspiciously like an agreement.

"Okay, but at least give me a hint. Why did I have to wear these clothes?" I gesture at my basketball shorts and loose t-shirt. "This is ruining my aesthetic."

"You'll find out when we get there."

"Get where? " I whine, and he smiles at me again as he reaches over to lace our hands together. "That's not fair, either. You can't just hold my hand because you want me to stop asking questions! Your tactics won't work."

Without looking away from the road, he drags our entwined hands to his lips and plants a kiss on the back of mine. "Goddamn it," I mutter. "When did I become whipped? Something as simple as a fucking smooch on my knuckles and I'm all doe-eyed and agreeable."

Dante barks out a loud laugh. " This is agreeable?" He seems to realize this was the wrong thing to say, because he is suddenly very interested in the road. Which, granted, he's driving, so maybe that's why he's paying such close attention… but I have my suspicions.

My interest is piqued as he pulls into a nondescript parking lot, glancing at the random assortment of shops nearby. Once we exit the car, he takes hold of my hand once more, and I try not to appear too pleased as he tugs me along behind him. Before I have time to read the sign, he leads me through a door.

A wall of a man stands in front of us, and my eyes get wider as they slide up his frame. He's enormous, and his thick, dark hair is disheveled, pulled back in a bandana that's tied across his forehead. "Yo, Dante!" The man's voice is just as substantial as his build, and Dante lets go of my hand to pull him into a brief, one-armed hug.

A quick peek around the space tells me we're in a gym, where men are sparring in makeshift rings, while others are lifting weights or hitting punching bags. Realization hits me as my eyes move back to the mountain of a man who's now smiling at me. "You're Jugs."

He flashes me a wide smile, and despite how large he is, he has a calm presence about him. "And you're Theo." I nod, wringing my hands together as I glance around the room, suddenly intimidated by the size of everyone here.

Dante misses nothing and is immediately at my side. "Hey," he murmurs into my ear as Jugs' smile falters. "What's wrong?" I lean into his body and shake my head, finding it difficult to put my thoughts into words.

My eyes slowly lift, meeting Jugs' observant gaze, as I finally speak. "I've never been bothered by my size. But ever since… everything happened with Jesse… I don't know. It's hard not to feel small when I'm surrounded by people who are so much larger than me."

Dante's voice is gentle as he says, "That's why we're here," and I glance at him in question. "I thought it would be helpful for you to learn some self-defense techniques."

My eyes get huge as I turn to stare at him, and he suddenly appears uncertain. "I realize it might make you uncomfortable, but if it helps take back even a piece of what he stole from you…"

This man.

This perfect, incredible man.

I throw myself into his arms, pressing my lips against his as he inhales in surprise. There's so much I want to say, but the words get lost on my tongue as I kiss him. "Thank you," I finally settle on, whispering against his mouth as Jugs chuffs a soft laugh.

"Got your hands full with that one, don't you, Dante?"

I step back and flash a smile at him while he stares at me, somewhat dazed. "You have no idea," he mutters.

"The clothes make sense now." Jugs leads us to a smaller side room towards the rear of the gym.

"Even if they ruin your aesthetic?" Dante teases.

I reach out and give his hand a squeeze. "Even then."

Once we're inside the room and Jugs lays the mats on the ground, my excitement makes me bounce on my feet. I glance at Dante in question. "Is it just you I'll be wrestling? Or will I be getting down and dirty with Jugs, too?"

What can only be described as a territorial growl rumbles from Dante's throat, and Jugs throws his head back in a booming laugh. "Dante, my man, you're too easy!" He laughs so hard his body doubles over, and Dante at least has the gumption to look chagrined.

We begin by reviewing fundamental techniques, and given my lack of knowledge in fighting, we start at square one. When I ask about punching, Dante shakes his head. According to him, I would be more likely to hurt myself than someone else if I were to throw a punch at this moment.

It turns out I have to master standing before I can even think about swinging.

How dull.

They show me how to do a palm-heel strike, and explain the parts of the body that are the weakest. Once I've gotten the concept down, Dante pulls out a pair of padded gloves for me to practice on. He refers to them as striking mitts, and he holds them at the different weak areas we've identified—the nose being the primary target, with the throat being a good secondary option.

Over and over, I jab at Dante's face until my arm is completely worn out and I'm dripping with sweat. Once he realizes my level of exhaustion and how sloppy my form has become, we move on to kicks. When I correctly deduce that we're going for the nuts, he ignores my hint that I deserve a gold star. I even push further and tell him I'll accept other rewards, but he only hikes his eyebrow.

Subliminal messages are clearly not the man's strong suit.

With Dante's hands on my back guiding me, I learn how to distribute my weight to put the most power into my leg. Not once do l get embarrassed about how little I know, even when I take longer than I'd like to understand something.

Throughout the entire lesson, Dante impresses me with his incredible patience, answering all my questions in great detail. He never gets annoyed with me and cheers me on, celebrating the tiniest hurdles. By the time our hour is done, my confidence is much higher than when we arrived.

On our way out, we stop to chat with Jugs and decide to visit at least once a week until I feel more comfortable. Dante promises we'll move past the basics to groundwork and escaping holds once I'm ready for it.

If I play my cards right, I bet he'll even let me throw a punch.

My body is buzzing as we drive home, the endorphins from the exercise giving me energy in bounds. The moment we step inside, Dante frowns and pats his pockets. "I think I left my phone at the gym."

"We can go grab it," I offer, but he seems torn.

"Are you comfortable being here by yourself?" I consider this for a second and nod. "Why don't you take a shower and I'll run to get it? When I'm on my way back, I will order a pizza and we'll relax tonight."

"Okay, sounds like a plan," I say as he steps closer. He stares at me hungrily, seemingly unaware of his expression as he drags his tongue over his lips. The intensity of how I want him sends a full-body shudder rocketing through me. "Lock the door behind me and don't answer if anyone knocks. I have my keys."

"Dante, I'll be fine. I'm basically a kung-fu master now, remember?" He chuckles as he takes another step closer, and I grab his shirt and yank him towards me. "Thank you for taking such good care of me," I say against his lips before closing the distance between us.

Fuck, he tastes incredible.

He doesn't give me much, just a tease, but when he pulls away with hazy eyes, I'm on fire. "I'll be back soon." There's a very pregnant pause, and then he leans forward and kisses me again like he can't help it. He slides out the door with one more glance over his shoulder.

Every cell in my body dances as I climb into the shower, my cock rigid as I wash away the sweat and dirt. Water droplets cling to me as I dry off, and just the drag of the towel over my skin has me moaning out loud.

My fingers wrap around my shaft, and a single pump has me seeing stars.

Unless I want to risk putting Dante in a position he isn't ready for, I need to take care of this. Polish the banister, if you catch my drift.

Quick math tells me that the drive each way is twenty minutes and he's been gone for ten, so I should have at least a half hour until he returns.

The one toy I thought to bring sits at the bottom of my bathroom bag, tossed in at the last second. The smooth surface of the guest bed headboard should do the trick, so I grab a towel and my bottle of lube.

Once I cover the blankets with a towel, I attach the dildo at the right height and suction it to the headboard, grateful that it stays secure as I test it. A squirt of lube in my hand coats the rubber cock, and another on my fingers works me open. The moment I position myself on my hands and knees and push backwards, a loud moan forces itself from my throat.

Fuck, I need this. It's been way too long, and my body is begging for relief.

Each small rock stretches me further, until my first ring of muscles opens. Not bothering to be quiet, I push further until I've taken the whole thing.

"Goddamn," I mutter, staring at the string of pre-cum that hangs from my aching crown.

As I let the stretch ease up, I close my eyes and imagine it's Dante behind me. I pretend that it's morning, and I wake up in his arms before he flips me over and pushes the fat head of his cock against my hole. I moan as I anticipate the burn of him entering me, and begin to move. Back and forth, I fuck myself, shifting my angle until I bump my prostate with each thrust backwards.

The weight of my cock swings rhythmically as I ride my toy, intensifying the pleasure with every bounce. The tension inside me builds so high that I know I won't have to touch myself to come, so I throw my head back and enjoy the fantasy playing in my mind.

Faster and faster, I move, the headboard beginning to bang against the wall as I imagine his hands gliding over my body and his breath hot in my ear. My craving for him drives my every movement as I lose myself in the ecstasy.

God, I've never needed anything like I need him.

Pleasure builds in my core until it's unbearable, my legs shaking as the headboard gets louder and my motion becomes more frantic. My balls draw tight against my body as I push myself to the edge. So close, so fucking close, and then I can let go.

The smallest sound makes my eyes fly open, and my jaw drops at Dante standing in the doorway.

Staring.

"Oh, shit," I gasp, my breath hitching as my rhythm stumbles, but then my gaze falls to his massive erection straining against his shorts. It's too much, too intense, and it hurtles me into oblivion with no chance of pumping the brakes.

Consequence be damned, I lift my torso and put my palms on my thighs as I slam backwards, giving him a full view of my naked body. His eyes meet mine for a moment before dropping between my legs, and a quiet whimper escapes him as his hand drops.

I don't even think he realizes he's done it as he grips his cock, but it's the limit of what I can handle.

A loud moan rolls from my throat as my entire body curls in on itself, and then the pressure releases all at once. The power of my orgasm makes me tremble as thick ropes of cum shoot across the towel. More streams roll down my shaft as I come, until the intense waves subside into aftershocks.

My breath is heavy as I grip my cock and give a few small, final pumps. A few last creamy droplets leak from my tip as my eyes drift up to Dante's.

He looks pained, and the noise he releases is on the verge of desperate. His shorts are stretched taut at the front, his fingers gripping his thick dick through the fabric, as if he's struggling to contain himself.

Our stare off seems to last forever, the seconds stretching on as if time has frozen, until finally, I ease my body off the dildo. His reaction is immediate as he snaps out of it, darting into the bathroom and closing the door behind him.

He actually thinks he can hide from this?

"Oh, no you don't," I mutter, scrambling off the bed and racing after him.