Chapter 17

Not long after midnight, Dante opened the door to his house and walked inside. He noticed that instead of the house being dark, a small light was on by the door. Robyn must have turned it on for him. His stomach rumbled as he hung up his coat. He never got around to cooking, so dinner had been missed. He had zero regrets about why it was missed though. He may be starving now, but he'd take a ready and willing Robyn in his bed over dinner any day. He tried to remember what non-ingredients were in the kitchen. He really hoped there was a mindless option in there he could quickly throw together. Walking into the kitchen, he opened the fridge and was greeted by a wrapped plate and a note. He took both out and closed the door. He picked up the note to read it.

I know you're hungry. Eat before you go to bed. See you soon, Robyn

He unwrapped the plate. She had left him food so he didn't have to think about what to eat or make something when he got home. That simple caring act meant a lot to him. It had been a long time since he'd been in a relationship to receive caring gestures like this. He grabbed something to drink and some chips and sat down at the bar to eat. While he ate, he thought about what he had been doing just a few hours ago. It had started out innocently enough with them dancing and talking. She had been smiling and looking up at him with those brown eyes and he hadn't been able to resist kissing her. He had no idea their kiss would bring them to end up in his bed though. He had only just begun to explore her curves when his damn phone rang. He looked forward to the time they would finally get uninterrupted time together to complete their exploration. He made a mental note to turn off their phones next time.

He finished eating, put the dishes in the dishwasher and walked upstairs. He walked into his bedroom and smiled. She'd left the nightstand light on for him. He stripped off his clothes, took a quick shower, then pulled the covers back and fell into bed. His pillow smelled like her perfume. Reaching over to turn off the light, he found another note propped up against the lamp.

To be continued ... Have sweet dreams.

He thought back to Robyn being on his bed earlier. Sweet dreams indeed. He turned the light off and moments later, he was asleep.

--

Robyn parked in front of Dante's house. She had just finished an errand nearby and decided to stop and see if he was home. She hadn't given him a heads up that she was coming. Just as she reached the front door, it flung open and the boys came tumbling out, almost running her over.

Laughing, she reached out her arm to stop Kyler from tipping over. "Easy guys. Where's the fire?" she asked after releasing him.

"Hi Miss Robyn. Sorry about that," Kyler apologized. "We're going to a birthday party today and forgot the gift."

"Yeah," Stefon added, holding up a present. "Mom is waiting in the car."

Robyn turned to where Stefon was pointing and exchanged a wave with Vanessa, "I won't stop you then. Is your dad home?" she asked.

"Yeah, he's upstairs," Stefon said.

"Thanks," Robyn said, holding the door and stepping out of their way. "You boys have fun."

Robyn gave Vanessa another wave as the boys ran to the car. Smiling and shaking her head, she turned and entered the house. Closing the front door, she took off her coat. After hanging it up, she started the walk upstairs. She slowed as she neared the top of the stairs and heard music. Reaching the landing, she found Dante at the piano in sweats and a black tee, his back to her. Instead of interrupting, she kicked off her shoes and sat in the reading chair nearest the stairs. She recognized the song he was playing as In A Sentimental Mood. She reclined back in the chair and quietly watched him for a couple of songs. A song ended and he transitioned into Misty. Unconsciously, she quietly hummed along. The song finished and he sat quietly for a few seconds.

"Have I told you lately how much I love the scent of you and your perfume?" he asked. He turned around on the bench to face her.

"Do you now?" she responded.

He nodded. "I do. Hey you," he greeted her.

"Hey. I had an errand to do a few blocks away and I thought I'd see if you were home." She paused and watched as he stood up and walked to sit in the chair next to her. "The boys let me in on their way out. Sorry, I didn't call first."

"I don't mind," he said. "Vanessa called and woke me up to warn me they were coming. They raced through the house in a whirlwind to find their gift. Somehow it had ended up here in my closet."

She laughed and gestured to the piano, "I didn't mean to interrupt your playing."

He shrugged, "It's not going anywhere. I can always play later."

"What time did you get home from your case?" she asked.

"Sometime after midnight," he responded. "Thanks for the sandwich. It was much appreciated."

"You're welcome. I figured you wouldn't take the time to stop and eat even though you missed dinner."

He smiled, "Your instincts were correct."

"Did you at least get called away to an interesting case?"

"No," he said with a frown. "I would have much rather been here." He gazed at her.

"Mmm," she agreed. "I know the feeling."

They silently looked at each other and the room seemed to heat around them.

"I've been thinking about you in my bed since I woke up. I'm struggling to stay seated right now," he admitted in a low voice.

"Who says you have to?" she countered in a husky tone.

At that invitation, he rose from his chair, crossed to hers and leaned down to capture her lips in a kiss. Without breaking their connection, Robyn stood up and stepped into his embrace. Her hands found their way under his shirt to touch the skin underneath.

"I believe I owe you a rain check," he said against her lips.

She smiled and kissed him again, "You do."

"Please tell me you're cashing it in right now," he said with a growl.

She arched against the growing tent in his pants, "I think that sounds like a good idea. Any objections?" she asked, gently trailing her fingers up his back.

"Not even one," he said, connecting his mouth to hers again. Their hands moved freely over each other as they kissed. They separated when Dante helped Robyn remove his shirt and seconds later, her shirt joined his on the floor. They were both breathing heavily. When her shirt was removed, he ran a finger from her collarbone to the top of her bra between her breasts. "Now this is feeling familiar," he said, trying to catch his breath.

She smiled, "Something is off." She took his hand and led him into the bedroom, stopping next to the bed. He hadn't made the bed yet and the covers were thrown back. She glanced up at him.

"I was going to go back to bed after the boys left," he explained.

"That's okay, you still are," she said, raising up to kiss him again.

"Gladly," he said between kisses.

--

He reached behind her and unhooked her bra. Stepping back, she let it drop to the ground. He took a moment to admire her newly released breasts. Seconds later, he lowered his mouth to cover one of her nipples. She dropped her head back and growIed. She brought one hand up to hold the back of his head and the other gripped his shoulder. He moved to pay the same attention to the other breast. Releasing her nipple, he stood up to kiss her again. Reaching between them, he unbuttoned her jeans then gently pushed her back to sit on the bed.

She leaned back to lay down and she reached down to help him remove her jeans and panties. Once she was naked, he paused to look at the woman lying before him. She was breathing heavily and her breasts were wet from his mouth. His gaze traced the curves of her body down and back up again. She watched him as he looked at her. He climbed onto the bed. Straddling her hips, he leaned down.

"Breathtaking," he said before their lips connected. She moaned in response.

He moved his lips from her mouth to place kisses on other areas of her body. While his hands caressed her curves, he kissed his way back down to her breasts and spent more time kissing and licking each one. He continued to kiss and touch his way down her body, taking his time and exploring each new area. Her hands did their own exploring of his exposed skin as he moved. When he reached her waist, he stepped back off the bed. He kissed his way down one leg and back up the other. Opening her legs, he knelt between them. Placing her legs over his shoulders and looking up to watch her, he kissed her in the most intimate way possible. The moment his mouth touched her, she bucked against him and gripped the bed next to her. Using his tongue and fingers, he pleasured her to release.

"Marcus," she moaned as her back arched off the bed and her hands gripped his sheets. Her body quaked against him. He continued to lick her softly until her shudders slowed. Releasing her, he lowered her legs back to the bed and stood up. His groin was hard and pulsing. Robyn slowly sat up and eased his sweats down, releasing him. He kicked his sweats off and stood in front of her. She reached up and stroked him a couple of times. He groaned and reached out to still her hand.

"Not this time," he said in a tight voice. He was already struggling to hold back and was determined the first time together be inside her. She released him and moved back on the bed to lay against his pillows. She looked at him and smiled.

"You. Come here. Now," she commanded.

He immediately obeyed, joining her on the bed and capturing her mouth with his. He knew she could taste herself on his lips. As they kissed, he reached into his nightstand for protection. Breaking their kiss, she took it from him and slid it onto him. Laying on their sides facing each other, he watched her as he lifted her leg up over his hip and slowly entered her heat. They both moaned at the first connection. When he was fully buried in her, he paused to let her body adjust. She kissed him and began to move against him. They found a pace together and he stroked until she hit her release again. A moment later, he followed her over the edge.

They laid next to each other as their breathing slowed. After a few minutes, Dante got up to dispose of the condom. Robyn watched as he walked back to join her in bed. Climbing in, he pulled the covers over them.

"Is this what you had in mind when you said you were going to go back to bed?" she asked him.

"This was so much better," he said, reaching over to push her tousled hair back. She smiled and closed her eyes. A minute later they were both asleep.