Chapter 26
CHAPTER 26
O ur Anniversary
Symphony
I am so excited I can’t contain myself. He is here. Michael is here.
He looks so different but the same. He’s gotten so tall. He has to be at least six-six. I know Uri is six-five, but Micheal has to be an inch or two taller than him.
Being in his strong arms felt so right. I didn’t mean to jump on him, but I was so shocked and happy to see him, and I wasn’t thinking. He smells better than I remember. It’s the same cologne, but somehow it smells different. More mouthwatering.
I’m digging through my closet like a madwoman. I need to find the perfect outfit. I want to look nice for him.
I did need to take a shower to wash the GSR off from the hit I had just executed, but I also wanted to make myself look presentable. I look in the mirror as I hold up a dress against my body.
It’s cute, but I don’t think it’s right. I toss it aside and rush back to the closet to look for something else. I wish I had known he was coming. I feel so ill-prepared.
“Come on, Symphony. Think. What will look nice?”
I cover my face with my palms, feeling like I might burst into tears. I never put this much thought into what I wear, but it’s been so long since I’ve seen Michael, and I want to look my best.
“Knock, knock. Do you need help in here?” Annabella asks as she peeks her head into my room.
“Yes, please. I don’t know what to wear. How should I do my hair?
“Should I wear makeup? Does he even care? I’m so nervous.”
“Relax, love. Of course he cares. He came all this way to spend time with you.
“Let’s see what we’re working with first. You should definitely show off that cute little body and those long legs. Oh, how about this?”
She holds up a soft-pink dress I had passed over a few times. I thought the color was childish. However, now that she’s holding it up, it does look cute.
“Oh, wait. No, not this one. I think you should go with this one. It will look great with your skin tone and hair,” she says as she grabs another dress; this one is a burnt-orange color.
I groan as I remember the day Ximena talked me into purchasing the garment. She wanted me to go to a party with her. I never made the party.
Adriano saw me in the dress and grumbled about it under his breath. When it was time to leave, suddenly all the cars had flats or some other issues. I was relieved and called Ximena to beg off from going to the party.
I never put that dress on again. It’s a few years old, but it might fit. It might look nice.
“I will try that one on. It is certain to make me look like a woman. Yes, that is the one.”
I take the dress and slip it on over my black lace bra and panties. When I turn for the mirror, my mouth falls open. The stretchy fabric fits my body like a glove.
Annabella is right, the color does work well on me. I look … I look like a woman. I’ve never thought about that before. I’m no longer a fourteen-year-old bride.
I’ve become a woman and my husband is here. Will Michael notice too? I reach for the band holding my locs up in the front and pull it from my hair, allowing it all to flow freely.
The front of my hair falls into my face. I push it back out of my eyes. A couple of locs fall back into my face. I’m grateful that I just washed and freshly retwisted it yesterday.
“Wow, you look gorgeous. Here, put these on.”
She hands me a pair of nude heels from my closet. I take them and slip them on. I’m in even more awe of my reflection. My eyes look brighter, and a smile is on my lips.
Annabella pulls my hair over my shoulder. “This looks great on you. You’re so pretty.
“Don’t be nervous. You will take his breath away. Things are different now.
“You are a grown woman. He will see that. You should tell him how you feel,” she says with a playful smile.
“I … I don’t think I wish to do that.”
“Why not? You have always been in love with him.”
I begin to pop the band on my wrist. I can’t look her in the eyes. I’ve never told her about my feelings for Michael.
I didn’t know anyone else could see this crush I’ve been carrying. I start to pop the band faster as I wonder if Michael knows. Is that why he stays away from me?
My heart drops. My mind begins to swirl, causing me to chew on my tongue. What if being an assassin isn’t enough?
What if he sees through me and knows what I’ve been up to? Will I lose him forever this time because he figures it all out and he doesn’t want me the same? What if my best isn’t enough?
“Oh, Sim, love, look at me,” Annabella coos. “It’s all right. You don’t have to tell him. It’s fine.”
I look around me and realize I’ve spiraled into a meltdown. I’m sitting on the floor with my head between my knees as I rock and whimper. I’ve even started to twist one of my locs and can feel it tightening against my scalp.
If I keep twisting it like this, it will snap. I dart my gaze around, trying to find something to focus on. Annabella climbs behind me and cradles me between her legs as she wraps her arms around me.
I sag into her tight embrace and try to focus. My eyes finally find a crack in the tape in the corner of the wall. I keep my gaze there and begin to count in my head.
Annabella leans into my ear and begins to whisper. “You’ve got this. Breathe; you don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for.
“Don’t listen to me. I don’t even have a relationship. What do I know about a husband?
“You be you. That’s why he’s here. He wants to spend time with you,” she says soothingly as she hugs me supertight.
“I’m being ridiculous. He will never return my feelings. I shouldn’t try to get his attention. I am being foolish.”
“I don’t think you realize how much my brother loves you. Everything he does is for you. Your happiness is the most important thing to him. Did you know he was the one to ask me to find Dr. Gideon for you?
“You are always on his mind. I think he feels the same way you do. I’m not saying this to overwhelm you. I just want you to know you can relax and be yourself,” she says and kisses the back of my head.
I hear her words, but I don’t think they fully sink in. I’m too focused on calming my anxiety. Slowly, I begin to relax.
I hate that Michael is finally here and I’m having a bad day. It’s been so long since I’ve had a bad day. Dancing and playing have made bad days all but non-existent.
When that doesn’t work, I train. Exhausting my body calms all the noise. It stills the anxiety.
Right now, I either need to dance, play, or throw knives. Anything to ease my thoughts. I’m so afraid Michael will see me.
All this time, he was right. His being in Italy is for the best. There, he can’t find out that I’ve started a hit-for-hire business. There, he can’t see how much I’ve fallen in love with him.
“I need to play,” I breathe.
“Will you allow me to do your makeup first? Can you handle that?”
“I like the sticky feeling of the lip gloss and popping my lips. I will allow you to place gloss on my lips. Maybe some mascara. I am not able to handle more than that. Not right now.”
“That is more than enough. I am here for you, Sim. Talk to me whenever you need.”
“Thank you, Annabella. I would like for you to keep my secret. Michael doesn’t need to know how I feel. Please don’t tell him.”
“Oh, Sim. I would never embarrass you like that. Although I do believe the feeling is mutual. I will allow you both to figure it out on your own,” she coos and gives me one more squeeze.
“Thank you.”
Michael
I turn my gaze from glaring at Adriano. He’s been sitting on a stool in the corner as Symphony plays the piano. Of course, I gifted her another when she moved here to Boston.
I had this one custom-made for her. There is even an engraving under the right side, but I’m not sure if she’s aware of it. I guess I have been in love with her for way longer than I’ve allowed myself to admit.
The engraving says, To my love. Play to your soul’s content.
Someday, I will tell her where to find the words. Someday when I’m sure she can handle the weight of them.
However, today isn’t that day. There’s been something in the air with Adriano since he found me here. I didn’t miss his shock or the scowl that followed.
I also didn’t miss the look in his eyes when I hugged Sim as she returned from her shower. It was a mixture of lust and jealousy. I understand the look of lust.
Symphony looks sexy in the body-hugging dress and nude heels. Her physique is exquisite. I almost swallowed my tongue when I saw her.
Her lashes are always long and pretty with her big brown eyes, but she’s wearing some type of makeup that’s making her eyes pop. Then there’s the lip gloss that makes her full lips look sensual, inviting, and taunting. I have never wanted to kiss a woman more.
However, something has changed since she returned. To top it all off, Adriano’s presence is pissing me off. I know he’s doing his job, but I’m here. He doesn’t need to be.
I stand from where I’ve been sitting, listening to Sim play while I sip at some cognac. I place my drink on the piano and sit beside her on the bench. She scoots over slightly, bringing a smile to my lips.
She’s been shyer than usual. It’s endearing. I wonder if she has a clue of how beautiful she looks. I don’t think she does, which only makes her sexier.
“Can I play with you?”
She pauses her fingers on the keys and looks out the corner of her eye at me. I reach to brush a few of her locs out of her face and tuck them behind her ear.
I love them on her. The middle-sized locs compliment her face. They are very neat and the scent coming from them is intoxicating. She almost smells like candy.
“I … I would like that. Yes, you may, Michael.”
I place a hand on her back and the other on the keys. I start to play “Für Elise” as I rub her back soothingly. She joins as a little purring sound leaves her throat. My cock twitches from the sound.
I grind my teeth as Adriano jumps from his seat and storms from the room. Sim stops playing and starts to pop that band on her wrist. Not wanting to draw attention to the action and embarrass her, I don’t mention it.
Instead, I reach beneath her hair to cup the back of her neck and give it a gentle squeeze before I begin to massage her soft skin. She releases another little purr. Not able to help myself, I lean in and brush my lips against her temple.
“Is there something going on between you and Adriano I should know about?” I ask as I pull away.
“Are you asking me if I’m involved with him?”
“Yes, that is the question,” I say harsher than I mean to.
“No. We are friends, that is all. I have never had a boyfriend.”
A low growl emits from my throat before I can help myself. I feel like an ass as she begins to dart her eyes around. I take a calming breath.
It takes a moment for me to calm down as I fight not to tell her she should never have a boyfriend because I’m her husband and I won’t share my wife with anyone. I want to claim her lips and show her why she is mine and only mine.
Instead, I go back to playing softly. When she doesn’t join me, I stop and turn to look at her. She’s watching me out of the corner of her eye once again.
“Do you remember what tomorrow is?” I ask to break the silence.
“It’s our seven-year anniversary. We have been married for seven years tomorrow.”
“That it is, cara . What would you like to do? Anything you want, it is yours.”
“Anything?”
I know I shouldn’t, but I nod. There isn’t anything I would deny Sim. If it makes her happy, it is hers.
“I would like to have my first kiss,” she all but whispers. “That is if it’s appropriate to ask for such a thing.”
My lips are sealed to hers before she can finish her words. Her lips are softer than I could have ever imagined. The lip gloss adds a silky feel. Reaching to cup the back of her neck once more, I then tip her head back.
She moans and I growl into her mouth as I cup her face. She gasps and her mouth opens to me as I palm her breast in one hand. I take the opportunity to stick my tongue in her mouth and deepen the kiss.
The whimper that comes from her lips breaks all my restraint. I lift her from her seat and turn her back to the piano as I lift with her, still devouring her sweet mouth. Sim locks her fingers in the top of my hair as I grasp ahold of her waist.
The keys cry out as I lift her onto them. Cupping her ass in one hand, I lift her enough to close the lid over the keys and gently place her on it. I wasn’t expecting this kiss to be so passionate, but the chemistry between us is sizzling.
I break the seal on our lips to kiss my way down her chin to her neck. I have my hands tightly grasping her hips as I kiss my way down her body. When I get to her breasts, I move to one nipple and suck it into my mouth over the fabric of her dress before moving to the other.
“Michael,” she pants.
I feel as if I’m going to burst through my pants. How does she do this to me? The breathy sound of her voice calls to something deep in my groin.
Reaching for her long, silky legs, I run my hands up them as I continue to kiss my way down her body. I push the short dress up over her ass, revealing her black panties underneath. I should stop this. I know I should, but I can’t find it in me to do so.
This is my wife, and I want her. I want her so fucking bad. I want her to feel my love.
Sitting back on the bench before her, I reach for the waistband of her panties and hook my fingers in to peel the fabric away from her body. I look up and find her eyes right away. Reaching between her legs, I then find her wet center and begin to coat my fingers with her juices.
She’s so wet for me. I play with her little pussy, making her cry out my name. However, that’s not enough for me. I need to taste her.
I scoot forward and toss her legs over my shoulders. Leaning in, I inhale her delicious scent. It’s a mix of cocoa butter and champagne. Whatever fragrance her body lotion is should be banned from her possession. She smells of pure sin.
The need to devour her is overwhelming. I can’t hold back any longer. I glide my tongue through her juicy lips and groan as her flavor bursts on my tongue.
Grasping a tight hold of her waist, I keep her hips rocking against my face. She arches her back and rides my face as I consume her sweet pussy. I have never been so ravenous.
“Michael.”
The way she sings my name drives me over the edge. I move my hands to her curvy tight ass and squeeze. I hum into her as her legs begin to shake on the sides of my head.
“Oh,” she gasps.
I glance up to see her eyes rolled into the back of her head as her lips form an O shape. Her body is convulsing as she rains into my mouth. I begin to kiss my way back up her body to take her lips.
She grasps my ears as I take her lips in a searing kiss. I’m so lost in the kiss it takes a moment for me to register the popping sound behind my head. I pull back and look at her.
“What’s wrong, bella ? Are you all right?”
“I … I. Excuse me, I need to go upstairs,” she says, pushing to get free from my embrace.
I stumble back and allow her to go. Feeling like an asshole, I flop onto the bench as she races away. What the fuck did I just do?
Oh my God, I’m an idiot. I drop my head in my hands and tug at my hair. That was incredibly stupid.
I just royally fucked up. All she wanted was her first kiss. Why couldn’t I give her that and walk away?
“Fuck, fuck, fuuck .”
Symphony
Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why did you run? Why did you ruin everything?
As I rush into my room and kick my heels off, I already know the answers. I’m not ready. As the lust began to clear away, and I tasted myself mixed with the alcohol on Michael’s tongue and lips, my thoughts became clear.
What if he regrets everything in the morning. It was better we stopped before he had even more to regret. I will never forget my first kiss and everything that came after.
That was amazing. I didn’t know my body could feel like that. It’s still buzzing from his touch.
“What have you done, Sim?” I huff as I climb into the empty tub while still fully dressed.
I wrap my arms around my legs, and I try to process what just happened. I don’t know how I’m going to face him in the morning. I’m so embarrassed.
“Just great. I really fucked this one up,” I grumble and gasp, slapping my hands over my mouth.
I sigh. It’s time I go to bed. Today wasn’t one of my best.