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But what happened before class is crystal clear—not the kissing, but Dante literally punching a guy in the face.

Admittedly, hearing the other guy call me names and claim that I can’t give Dante what he wants was upsetting, but I’m not so sure punching him in the face was necessary.

At the same time, the way Dante defended me, so intense and protective, made my entire body hot. I’ve never had anyone protect me the way he has, from shielding me from the car bomb to defending me against that asshole.

Still, it wasn’t that long ago that Dante was the asshole I needed defending from. In some ways, he still is an ass, but as of this morning…he’smyass.

I’m suddenly struck by the fact that I said yes to being Dante Romano’s boyfriend.

After only a few days of sex.

Maybe there’s something seriously wrong with me.

“So let me get this straight…Dante protected you from a car accident, which you don’t know all the details about. You two went off somewhere, fucked, ended up fucking again at his place, he asked you to be his boyfriend, and then he punched a guy for calling you names and saying you’re straight?” Nathan asks, clearly overwhelmed by everything I dumped on his lap over the last ten minutes.

“Yes,” I reply with a nod. Granted, I haven’t told him the truth about the “accident” or Dante and his family, but now he knows the most important parts.

I’m not sure yet if telling him will hinder or help things.

Nathan stares at me for a minute. “Uh, dude. That’s a fucking lot in just a few days.”

I groan and let my head fall into my hands. “I know! That’s why I’m here to talk to you about it.”

“Right, right. I…shit, Ethan. I know better than anyone what it’s like to be whipped up in someone and get into it too fast, but…Dante? He’s dangerous.”

I look back up at him. Nathan’s face is pinched with concern.

“He is, but…he also protected me,” I remind him.

The tension in the room is thick, but I don’t feel any judgment from Nathan, just worry.

“He’s dangerous, he’s dark, and he’s honestly kind of an asshole. All those things are true, but for some reason I like it,” I admit.

Nathan chuckles and shakes his head. “Of course you do, who doesn’t like that shit? It’s hot as fuck, but for the long term?” He raises his brows. “Do you really know him like that?”

My eyes sting, and I try to ignore it. “Maybe not, but I want to know him better. I think I know him better than most people already.”

“Damn, you sound lost in it already. You haven’t even been broken up with Lena for that long. I know you weren’t actually into her, but…” He trails off.

“I love her,” I insist, nearly snapping at him. “Maybe not in the way she needs or wants, but I cared about her the entire time, and I still do.”

“Jesus, yeah, I get that…and that’s my point. You’re already getting hung up on a guy after everything you went through with her. You sure it’s not just some first-time dick thing?” he asks.

“First-time…dick?” I ask, blinking at him.

“You know, the first time you’re sleeping with a guy, getting dicked down, whatever. You’re essentially a virgin with your first guy. That clouds your brain real fucking bad,” Nathan says.

My face falls a bit. “That’s true. Maybe I’m out of my depth with this.”

“Hey, now, I’m not talking you out of this, I’m just telling you to be careful, Ethan,” he insists.

I nod slowly. “I’m so confused, scared…because of him, but also about losing him. I know that in the grand scheme of things this has barely started and I barely know him, but I feel like if I don’t at least try, I’m going to regret it.”

“Well, there ya go. You might regret it if you do try, and you’ll definitely regret it if you don’t, so there’s nothing to lose,” he says slowly. “I hope. If he gets you into some shit that gets you hurt, though, Ethan…I’ll hurt him.”

My eyes widen. “Nathan, it’s fine. You won’t have to do that. Besides, you couldn’t?—”

“I can’t kick the shit outta him? Maybe not, but I can try. You’re my best friend. I want you to be happy, and if he hurts you, we’ll have a problem.” Nathan leans forward a bit.