F: Night cap

They arrived at the apartment. He helped her out of the helmet and finally said "I hope you enjoyed tonight".

"Yeah I did, thanks." she replied. He was such a gentleman, she thought. 'I bet he's a beast in bed' Beth's voice echoed in her mind. Maybe it was the wine that lowered her inhibitions, but she wanted to find out. Finally curiosity got the better of her. "Hey, do you want to come up for some coffee? I'll even give you your jacket back?" she clasped her purse nervously.

Dante was about to say goodnight, when she asked. He didn't think she would ever invite him. He did coerce her into this, after all. His heart leapt when she asked him. He wanted to say yes, but he knew that he wouldn't be able to resist the urge to succumb to his deepest desires. "I'd love that. But..." he paused "but I might not be able to control myself." he pulled his fingers through his hair, frustrated and sighed. He thought she would retreat after he said that.

Butterflies bubbled up when Amy heard him say that. She didn't expect him to be that honest. The longer she said nothing, the worse the silence got. 'Say something Amy! Do you want him to walk away or what?!' her inner voice scolded her.

"I made biscuits?" she blurted out. 'You could have said anything, and that's what you went with? Good job Amy, as if your culinary skills can win him over!' her inner voice added insult to injury.

"Well. If you're armed with those suckers. I sure you'll be safe from any onslaught" Dante smiled.

Amy felt a bit braver, seeing that he didn't turn down her offer. She took his hand and they walked up to her apartment. "They're not that bad you know. This batch is even edible." she added as she opened the door.

"Make yourself comfortable, I'll just turn the kettle on. I won't be a moment." she said as she disappeared into the kitchen. Dante placed the helmet he was carrying on a free standing chair and followed her toward the kitchen. Amy placed the kettle on the stove and turned to go back, but she bumped into Dante. "Oh sor..." She started to say, but he silenced her as his lips crashed into hers.

Amy's eyes shot open, surprised, as they're lips met and then gradually closed as the kiss intensified. He pressed his tongue against her lips until she let him enter. He explored her mouth until he intertwined with hers. 'god this man is a good kisser' her inner voice admitted, as Amy felt a little weak in the knees.

Sensing that, Dante lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He started towards the bedroom, knocking into the sideboard cabinet next to the entrance of her room.

One of her potted plants toppled over "My pla.." she started to protest. "Screw your plants" he interrupted her and feverishly kissed her. He laid her on her bed, he momentarily released her from his embrace to pull his shirt over his shoulders, and throw it on the floor. Her eyes explored his chest and all the intricate patterns his tattoos formed. She started to trace the patterns with her finger tips. "No tickling" he stated as he intertwined his fingers with hers and pressed her hand down beside her head. He resumed kissing her.

A loud whistle interrupted them. "The kettle" Amy stopped, "I'll be right back". He rolled off to one side, and she spattered out the bedroom towards the kitchen. Within seconds the loud whistle ceased. Amy rushed back to the bedroom, but the mood was ruined and Dante was already busy putting his shirt back on. He turned as he finished, "Hey, uh, sorry about that." Dante pulled his fingers through his hair.

"Wait, why? I want this too" she placed her hand on his chest to stop him. "We can continue this if you still want to be with me in two weeks time. Until then, let's not rush things" He said as took her hand and kissed it. And with that he excused himself and left.

The following morning Beth arrived extra early. Amy was still in her apartment when Beth knocked on the door. Amy hardly unlocked the door when Beth burst through. "So? How'd it go?" Beth asked excitedly. "Tell me everything!".

Amy was still a little tired. "Do you want some coffee?" she ignored Beth's inquiry.

"Sure, sure, so!! How was it?" Beth continued undeterred.

"Well" Amy's eyes glistened, "It was amazing!" Beth clapped her hands excited. "He is an amazing kisser. Like, god-like!" Amy continued. "Ooh ooh. And?" Beth waited for the bit of news she was really waiting for. "and?" Amy delayed. "And! is he a beast in bed? How far down do those tattoos go?? Don't hold out! Give me the deets girl!" Beth grabbed Amy's shoulder and shook it.

"Well, he's definitely a beast but I didn't get to see how far his tattoos go" Amy replied. "What! No way! How come?" Beth sounded somewhat disappointed. "Well, turns out he's a gentleman" Amy stated.

"Aahh" Beth sighed disappointed.

"Come let's go, we've got a lot of work today" Amy changed the subject and with that the day started.

Over the next couple days Dante took Amy out to lunch and for walks along the river. Amy didn't really make time to explore the neighborhood before, so they got to do that together. She felt like it was something special they got to share. He was always so tender with her. She loved when they held hands, her's felt so small in his. Time flied, and the weekend his parents would visit arrived.

Amy closed shop earlier on the Friday, and Beth and Amy had they're customary biscuits and coffee. "Let me know how it goes" Beth waved goodbye as she disappeared down the road.

Amy locked up and walked over to Dante's tattoo parlor. She'd never been in his shop. Loud music boomed in the shop. She opened the door and as she entered neon lights along the ceiling, flashed twice. 'Mmm, interesting idea for a doorbell' she thought, 'Must be because the music is so damn loud' her inner voice added annoyed.

Amy could hear the buzzing sound coming from the back cubicle. "I'll be right out, take a seat!" Dante called out. Amy gazed at the different art works all over the waiting area. She felt a bit out of place in her white dress with pink polka dots in the dark ambient of this place. The buzzing noises ceased and after a couple minutes a very attractive looking woman in very short jeans came out of cubicle, followed by Dante.

"Thanks babe, I'll be back next week so we can finish it" the woman spoke to Dante and placed a kiss to the side of his face. Amy felt anger surge through her and then her insecurities took over. She had zero sex appeal compared to that girl. "Cheers" Dante gave a goodbye nod to the girl and immediately turned to Amy.

"Hey" he greeted her, his whole expression softened at the sight of her. To him, she looked like an angel in a demon's den. She got up from the couch when he greeted her. He stepped in close and placed his arm around her tiny waist and pulled her in. He placed a kiss on her lips. "Sorry, I just couldn't resist" he whispered in her ear and stepped away.

"No need to apologize, I liked it" she admitted shyly. "Ahem. Anyway I just wanted to go over the itinerary for tomorrow" she started talking. "Lets go up to my place to hash out the details" he turned the music down.

There was a flower expo on the Saturday and Amy thought it might be a fun activity they could share with his parents and then after that they could go for an early dinner. Dante agreed. His parents had made other plans for the following day, so they only got to see them that one day. Amy and Dante agreed to travel separately and meet up at the expo.

The next morning Amy got up early and took the bus to the expo. She had the tickets for Dante and his parents, so she waited for them just outside the entry gates. Dante was the first to arrive and shortly afterward his parents came. His mom was a short stout woman and his dad was tall and skinny with broad shoulders. He definitely got the best traits from them.

"Oh my, you must be Amy. Come here" his mother didn't give her much choice and before Amy knew it she was receiving a tight hug from his mom. "Finally, you got yourself a nice girl! You should put a ring on that finger before she gets away, Monkey." she said as she nudged Dante in the ribs. "Not now Mom. And don't call me Monkey" Dante sounded embarrassed, but it didn't stop his mom. Amy smiled, she thought it was cute.

"Come Amy, tell me all about yourself. Now, don't worry if you get pregnant before getting married. I'm not old fashioned like that. Besides, I can't wait to be a grandma..." the old lady continued as they started walking. His mom was quite the character. Overall it turned out to be a nice day.

After the expo they went to a small restaurant and halfway during their meal, Dante received a call. Amy was a bit surprised, it wasn't like him to answer his phone when he was with someone. He heard him say "I'll be right over". Moments later he was back at the table. "I'm sorry, I have to go" he started, but his mom interrupted him, "Who was that Monkey?" she asked.

"Jimmy" he said as he took his jacket.

"Oh no! That boy is bad news. I can't believe your still friends with him!" his mom continued.

"Mom, don't start okay? I don't want to argue with you." he didn't give her time to respond as he placed a kiss on his mom's cheek and added "Don't wait for me. Love you".

After Dante left, Amy was curious. "Who is Jimmy?" Dante's mom replied eagerly, whilst still a little upset." He is a boy from the neighborhood where Dante grew up. You know. He started a fight with some teenage boys when they were just this high" she held her hand just slightly higher than the table. "And Dante isn't one to back down from a fight. He got beaten up so badly, we had to rush him to hospital. He lost fifty percent of his hearing because of that! Of course, Jimmy didn't have a scratch on him!" she got all worked up.

"Dante's deaf?" Amy couldn't believe it. Now it all made sense, his loud music, him ignoring her when he didn't see her speak. "Almost. The doctors said he would eventually become completely deaf. All because of that Jimmy!" his mom continued with sadness and anger mixed together. "And now I hear, Jimmy is some sort of drug lord or something." Dante's mom started tearing up. "Now, now, dear, we don't know that" Dante's dad tried to calm his wife.

Amy managed to change the subject after that and the three of them had a pleasant evening. Afterward they dropped her off and she waved them goodbye. She quite liked his parents and it was nice to get to know him a little better.

Amy went up to her apartment and got changed into her favourite nighties. She planned to wait for Dante to get back, after hearing those stories from his mom, she was a bit worried.

Time went slowly. Finally, she heard his bike pull in. She checked the clock, it was 2:45am. She waited two minutes and then took her keys and rushed out.