D: helping hand

Dante drove off, but all he could think about was Amy. She was stunning, not to mention she was always smiling. His patio overlooked hers, so his eyes would sometimes drift that way. She was always planting something, her cute butt swaying rhythmically to some music she liked listening too.

Dante almost ran over a red light. "Dammit man, get your head out of the clouds" he scolded himself. But it was clear, he'd need more than a few beers to get her out of his head.

Amy's date was going well. The man was polite and courteous. He even laughed at her jokes and seemed to be a gentleman, unlike the old lobster that lived next to her. Even though things were going well Amy just wasn't feeling it, and in reality she just wanted to be home. So just after they finished the main course she made up some excuse and got a taxi back.

Dante had gone out for beers with mates, but the image of Amy in that figure hugging dress stayed with him. It ruined his evening, so he excused himself and went home early. The thought of her with another man angered him, and he got irritated when at the thought of someone else touching her. He had been drinking at home watching the flower shop entrance through his bedroom window, while listening to loud music.

Without realizing it, he had been waiting for her to get back. He was busy with his third glass when a taxi finally pulled up and Amy got out. He watched as she struggled to find her keys and then disappeared up her apartment stairs. Somehow he felt a little better knowing she didn't bring another man home.

Amy changed into her pink satin shorts and tank top pajamas, since her favorites were in the wash. The music next door was blasting away. Amy sighed, it was only 10pm so she would just wait it out. He usually turned it down at eleven, but this time he didn't.

"Ughh" Amy sighed, "I guess I have to go over there... again" she pulled on her oversized hoodie and zipped it up, closed the door behind her and headed over.

"Hey! Turn down the music. Please!" she shouted as she knocked on his apartment door. She hammered on the door as she muttered "Bloody Lobster!".

"Lobster? " he asked as he opened the door.

"Nothing" she smiled embarrassed "...would you mind turning down your music please?" she added shyly.

"Sure" he replied expressionless, but he didn't close the door or even move.

Amy could smell liquor on his breath, so she asked "Rough night?".

He didn't answer, and simply shrugged. "How was the hot date?" he finally asked the question that was etched in his mind.

"Not so hot" she smiled. "Well good ni" she started to turn but he interrupted her.

"Do you want to join me for a night cap?" he asked.

Amy was a bit shocked, they never really spoke and it was probably a bad idea to be in the same place as a moody man that's been marinating in whiskey.

"Umm..." she actually considered it, if she was really honest with herself, he was the one person she was curious about and he was very attractive in a dangerous sort of way. "Umm, no thanks. Maybe some other time" she turned and started back.

She got back to her apartment and pushed the door, but it didn't budge. It must have locked behind her. She hastily searched her pockets. "Nooo" she wanted to cry, she didn't take her keys. She would have to call the landlord to get their backup keys, and there would be a penalty to pay, for sure.

'Or you could go for that night cap. Surely, that gangster next door knows how to pick a lock... all bad guys do' her inner voice spoke up. And for once it made perfect sense.

Amy hesitantly made her way down the stairs and up again to his apartment door. She knocked on the door again and almost immediately the door opened. Amy didn't expect him to open it so quickly. "Oh uh hey" she smiled "I accidentally locked myself out of my apartment... so I was wondering if you could help me .... by picking the lock? ... or something" her voice trailed off as she realized she basically asked him if he was a criminal.

"Sure" he replied. Surprise was all over Amy's face, he basically admitted to being a criminal.

"Come in" he continued. She followed him indoors. She was pleasantly surprised when she saw the inside of his apartment, beautiful paintings covered the walls, with two clay statues depicting lions brawling were placed in each corner of the living area.

"Wow, these are beautiful" she said amazed as she wondered around admiring the art.

He didn't reply. A couple minutes later he came out holding two glasses with a little bit of whiskey in each. "Here" he extended his left hand holding the glass.

"Oh, thanks." she wasn't planning to drink it, "Who is the artist?" she asked.

"I am" he replied.

"Oh wow. They're beautiful!" she said amazed.

"Thanks" he said after taking a sip.

Dante was ecstatic, Amy was next to him. It was taking all of his concentration not to pull her in and kiss her. The fact that he was wasted didn't help at all.

"It's really late," Amy started, "could you help unlock my apartment soon?".

"Sure." he put down his glass and stepped out to the patio, readying himself to run and jump over to her apartment.

"Oh my! What are you doing?!" Amy stepped in front of him, her one hand touching his chest, stopping him.

"I'm going to jump over to your place" he replied as if that was the most logical thing in the world.

"Don't do that! You'll kill yourse.." she continued. He placed his hand over hers and she fell silent, her eyes widening.

"You are ..." he started as he stepped in close, still holding her hand on his chest. Amy, held her breath in anticipation. " ... in the way" he added and instantly lifted her up and placed her to the side. Then, without any warning he started running and before she could even begin to protest he had launched himself in the air. She could only look on, as he landed and half stumbled onto her patio.

"Oh Scraps! Are you okay?" Amy shouted as she raced to the edge overlooking her apartment, but his back was turned to her and he didn't even respond. Still worried, she raced out his door, and up to her apartment.

She arrived at her door, just as he opened it.

"There." he said still blocking the door. "I'm not some criminal you know." he said amused as he watched her turn red with embarrassment.

"Oh ha ha no." she tried to hide her embarrassment. "well thank you so much. I really appreciate it!" she continued as she tried to squeeze past him. But he cought her with his arm around her waist. He breathed her in as he turned her towards him.

"You owe me, you know" he pulled her in.

"I'll uhh, ...bake you some biscuits" she smiled nervously.

"When I need projectile weapons, I'll let you know" he smiled.

"Good night" he placed a kiss on her cheek and made his way down the stairs.

She flushed red again and covered her cheeks with her hands.