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Chapter 3 - Home

Hailey's P.O.V.

When I heard the knock on the door, I thought I was going to be sick. Seeing the size of Dante didn't help much. However, when we were alone, he spoke so softly that I couldn't help but relax. He was easily the most handsome man I had ever seen. How was he still a virgin? His blue eyes, which were a couple shades lighter than my own, were a beautiful contrast to his tan skin.

After sitting on the couch, I couldn't help my nerves. I know he said he just wanted to talk, but does that mean I won't get paid? I really need this money so I can leave. Would Sheila make me be with someone else because I didn't have sex with Dante? When I'm on the verge of tears, he puts his hand over mine. The warmth and electricity that floods my body is nothing like I've ever felt before. I look up and meet his eyes. He's smiling at me.

"I'm sorry for touching you, but you looked scared, and I don't want you to ever be afraid of me." He says while still holding my hands. Why does he care? Why does it feel so good when he touches me? I want to move closer and have him wrap me in those big, muscular arms.

"I'm not scared of you," I don't know what else to say. Does he have this same funny feeling when he touches me? Just being with him like this makes me feel safer than I've ever felt in my life. My heart starts racing, and I feel like I can't breathe. Suddenly, I'm gasping for air, and tears run down my face.

"Hailey, Hailey, what's wrong?" He asks me in alarm. Dante starts rubbing my back, and I don't know how, but that calms me almost instantly. His hand is huge and warm on my back. I slide a little closer so I'm sitting against him. If he's going to leave soon, I want to soak up as much of this as I can.

"I think I was having a panic attack. It happens sometimes when people are nice to me. It's not something I'm used to." I answer him honestly while he continues to rub my back. I want to close my eyes and go to sleep.

"I'm sorry people aren't nice to you. Where do you live?" Dante asks. I shrug.

"I guess here now," I reply, turning my head to wipe away my tears.

"Where did you live before you came here?" Should I admit I was on the street? It doesn't matter; he's going to leave soon, and I'll probably never see him again.

"I've lived on the streets since I came here three years ago," I keep my eyes averted. I don't want to see the disgust on his face.

"How old are you?" Is that concern in his voice?

"Eighteen. I'll be nineteen in a couple of months." I take a chance, look up at him, and see the shock on his face.

"You've been on the streets since you were fifteen. Are you from this area?" I take a deep breath. How much should I tell him?

"I ran away from my parent's home in West Virginia. I took a bus to Indianapolis and rode with a trucker to Las Vegas. My life on the streets was better than what I left." His hand stops moving on my back, and I feel a tear fall from my eye. He's going to leave now, isn't he? I've opened up to him more than anyone, and now he's going to say this isn't what he signed up for. I get ready for him to leave, but I feel his hand touching my face instead. He turns my head so I'm looking at him, but I can only focus on the sparks from his warm touch.

"Hailey, I'm so sorry for everything you've been through. Will you let me help you? I have a huge house that I live in by myself. I would love to have you stay there with me." Did he just ask me to move in with him? How is that possible? Is he planning on taking me there and killing me or doing something else? When I look into his eyes, all those thoughts disappear. I know with every fiber of my being that he won't hurt me.

"Why would you do that? You don't even know me." I ask him. Dante smiles and takes my hand again.

"I know enough that I don't ever want to see you hurt again. I think fate brought us together. If you trust me, I promise no one will ever hurt you again." Am I really going to do this? I've never trusted anyone, but I feel like I can trust him.

"I don't know. Do you do this often? Take women home with you?" I ask nervously. I know he said he's a virgin, but what if that's a lie?

"I've never taken a woman home. Since my parents died two years ago, I've lived alone. I was being honest when I said I've never slept with a woman. Even if you're living with me, I won't pressure you for anything. I'd like to get to know you better because although I don't know you, I've never felt the sparks I feel when I touch you with anyone else." Dante rubs his thumb over the back of my hand, sending sparks running through me. He grins as he does it over and over. I start to giggle but stop and put my hand over my mouth. I can't remember the last time I did that.

"Don't be ashamed to laugh. It's a beautiful sound." He takes my hand from my mouth, and I smile slightly. Taking a deep breath, I look into his eyes.

"Okay, I'll go with you, but I don't know if I'm allowed to leave." Will Sheila let me walk out of here? Dante's hand tightens on mine.

"Did you sign anything?" He asks.

"No," He relaxes and nods.

"Then you'll be fine. Even if you had, I wouldn't leave here without you. Do you have something you can change into?" I look down at the teddy I'm wearing. I was so comfortable with him that I had forgotten what I was wearing.

"I'm not sure. Let me see what's here. The clothes I had were thrown away." I stand up and kick off the heels. I look in the closet and feel a sense of relief that there are some clothes there. I find a pair of jeans that I'll have to roll the bottoms up, but they'll work, and an oversized sweatshirt. I walk into the bathroom and quickly change. I feel better being fully covered. When I walk out, Dante is standing by the door, waiting for me.

"What about shoes?" He asks. Shoot, I forgot about those. I go back to the closet and find some slip-on flats that are a size too big, but they'll do. I know I look like a clown, but I don't care right now. I've looked worse. Dante smiles when he sees me and holds his hand out. I take it without hesitation.

"Are you ready?" He asks.

"Yes." We open the door, and I feel a sense of fear. What if Sheila refuses to let me leave? When we get downstairs, I see the other women looking at me with confusion. Sheila walks over, and I hold my breath.

"Well, I can't say I'm not disappointed you're leaving, but I don't think you really wanted to be here." How did she know? "Dante, you take care of our girl."

"I will. I promise." He puts his arm around my shoulders and leads me out of the house. What just happened? Can she read minds?

"How did she know?" I ask Dante softly. He still has his arm around me, and it feels incredible. He looks down and smiles.

"One of the friends who came here with me told her. I sent two of them away, but Ellis will drive us to my house. Okay?" I can't believe he's asking me if it's okay. When did he have time to do all that? I never heard him on the phone.

"Sure," I answer. We walk up to a large dark blue truck. It's beautiful. I see a man who looks like he could be Dante's brother standing next to the truck. He smiles and holds his hand out.

"Hi Hailey, I'm Ellis. It's nice to meet you." I smile slightly and shake his hand. Wow, even his friend is nice.

"It's nice to meet you, too," I reply. Dante throws the keys to Ellis and then opens the truck's back door for me. I'm contemplating how to get my leg to stretch that far when I feel his warm hands lifting me from behind. I want to giggle but don't want to sound like a kid. That's the biggest thrill I've ever had. I sit in the seat, and when I see that Dante plans to sit in the back with me, I scoot over.

Once we're all buckled in, and on the road, he takes my hand again. I could get used to this. I know he's just being nice, but it doesn't stop me from imagining what it would be like to be his girlfriend. Even though he's not had sex, I bet he's dated a lot of women. Why does the thought of him with anyone make me want to cry while, at the same time, it fills me with rage? I have no claim on Dante, but I feel like I do. I'm so lost in thought I don't even notice we've arrived until he squeezes my hand.

"We're home." Home? I've never had a place to call home. When I lived with my parents, that wasn't a home. I look out at the massive house in awe. I've never seen a place so big.

"Wow. You live here alone?" I ask in disbelief as he opens the truck door.

"Yeah. I've been waiting for the right woman to share it with." He says, looking into my eyes. My heart starts racing as he lifts me out of the truck. I wish that woman were me, but I'm sure he's talking about someone else.

"I'll check in with you tomorrow." Ellis waves, jumps into a small car, and drives away. Dante holds my hand and pulls me to the door. Before he opens it, he leans down and kisses my forehead. I think my heart just stopped. That was the most intense sparks yet.

"I'm really happy you're here." I smile up at him.

"Me too." He turns and opens the door.

My face falls at what greets us, and no matter how hard I try to stop them, the tears start to fall. There's a beautiful brunette sitting in a chair, obviously waiting for Dante. She's completely naked except for a party hat. Why does my heart feel like it's shattering over something that was never mine?

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