CHAPTER 3

CALLIE

Dante's scent lingered in the air as my eyes fluttered open. My body ached slightly, a mixture of comfort and soreness. Tangled in his sheets, I tried to get up, but I could barely feel my legs.

Fragments of last night flooded my head with an intensity that made my head pound. I remembered his lips. His groans. His deep baritone voice. The way he called me sunshine.

My cheeks heated up.

My pussy was sore, but then, I was no longer a virgin. No longer inexperienced and naive. Better? I had sex with Dante Cross! It was a dream come true.

Next to the nightstand was a glass of water.

How thoughtful.

And there was something else……a folded piece of paper. Slightly curious, I stretched my hand, ignoring the sharp pain that made my breath hitch. I opened it slowly, and as I stared at the elegant black writing, a tear prickled the corner of my eyes.

‘Callie, I'm sorry. Last night was a mistake. Go home.’

The world stilled as my fingers trembled.

Go home.

Last night was a mistake.

I was a mistake.

Fighting the burn in my eyes, I scrambled off his bed. The sharp pain returned. I gasped and almost cried as I wore my clothes hastily. I had to get out of here. Fast.

My dress was torn. I walked out of his room, anyway. His lounge was quiet. He was definitely out for work, then I remembered it was the weekend. He probably left because he couldn't say it to my face.

So he let his handwriting do the job. And it hit harder just like he wanted.

What an asshole.

Walking hastily out of his home, I flagged down a taxi and got in quickly. I told him my house address, then buried my face in my palm. If last night was a mistake, then everything was a lie. Right?

The part when he called me sunshine?

Or when he kissed me like I mattered?

Or when he made love to me like I was something delicate?

It was all….a mistake?

My throat tightened. I choked out another sob, wondering why the hell I had to suffer twice in two days. I did nothing wrong. Nothing.

I did nothing to deserve any of this.

The driver pulled up on the street across from my home. Fumbling for my purse, I realized I left it at Dante's place. Feeling embarrassed, I broke down again, sobbing out loud. “I'm….I'm so sorry.” I choked, wiping my tears harshly, “I… I don't…fuck.. I'm so stupid.”

The driver stared at me like a crazy woman. “Is everything okay, miss?”

Okay?

Nothing was okay.

He shook his head, cursed under his breath, then stepped hard on his accelerator. My lips trembled as I stumbled into my home, fingers digging into my palm, and vision blurring.

The scent of my mom's freshly brewed coffee hit my nostrils. It was meant to make me relax. Instead, it made my throat thicken. My parents gave me everything—love. Money. Attention.

But then I keep getting my heart broken.

Why wasn't I just satisfied?

My mother gasped as soon as she saw me.

My dad was the first to wrap his strong arms around me. I sobbed into his shirt, holding onto him like my lifeline. And maybe he was, because rather than scolding me, he caressed my hair to soothe me. “You're okay, honey.”

His voice.

His voice only made my sobs grow louder.

“Callie.” He cooed, tightening his hold around me. “Callie, you're fine. You're home. It's okay, I'm here.”

I nodded shakily, pulling away to head for my room. “I'm fine, dad.” My voice was shaky, “I'm.. fine.”

He grabbed my arm while my mom wiped her tears.

“Callie, what on earth happened to you? You look so….pale.”

“I'm fine, mom.” The guilt was almost killing me. “Don't cry, I'm fine. You really don't have to cry.”

“Callie.” My dad's voice echoed again. “Callie, you have to tell us—”

I yanked my wrist from his grasp—because he let me—and ran for my room. Slamming the door hard, I locked it up, not wanting them to see their daughter this way.

I still carried Dante's scent.

My dad would have noticed, but he probably said nothing because he wasn't the kind of person to accuse blindly. But if he finds out…

I jumped on my bed and buried my face into my pillows.

A knock made my back stiffen.

“Callie.” It was my mom. “Callie, open up.”

“Marinette, give her some time.” My dad said.

“She needs us now.” She sobbed.

“She'll be fine. She's strong.”

“She didn't come home last night and she returns without her car, looking pale and broken? I need to know what the hell happened—” Her voice faded with my dad's, and I was glad I was finally alone with my thoughts. I didn't even realise I wasn't with my car.

I could recall driving it to the bar and I cursed under my breath, wondering how I'd go back to get it. I didn't cry anymore.

I just stared into deep space. I couldn't close my eyes without imagining Dante's touch or his hot voice or the way he skillfully inserted his tongue in my pussy. I saw the way he looked at me, like something he cherished, like something so tender he didn't want to break it.

And he called that a mistake?

A single tear slipped down my cheeks. I wiped it away.

My parents knocked a few more times. I didn't respond even though it was time for dinner. I remained there, in the same position, throughout the whole day. My back ached. My stomach grumbled due to hunger.

I knew starving myself wasn't solving anything.

But I deserved this for making a stupid decision because of Nathan.

I fucked my dad's best friend.

There was a knock again.

I groaned.

“Callie, it's me.” My mom said softly, “dinner's outside. If you don't want to come out, it's fine.” My heart warmed instantly. “It’s your favorite, made with love by me. You should eat.”

Another tear slipped down my cheeks and I wiped it quickly. I waited for the sound of her footsteps to fade before opening the door to pick up the tray of food. It was still warm.

And the scent was enticing.

Setting the tray on a small desk near my bed, a slight knock made my back stiffen. It wasn't from my door. It was from the window.

It was almost midnight.

Why was someone knocking on my window?

The sound persisted and I squinted my gaze to see little pebbles landing on the glass. This time, I hurried toward it to check who the hell it was. Glancing down, I was stunned to find Dante in a black tee shirt and grey pants. His dark eyes were fixed on mine, his lips stretching into a faint smile. “Hey.”