2. Aurora
2
Aurora
This man stinks.
Kind of like Ren when he comes home late after tending to his casinos.
Like cigarette smoke and alcohol.
His clothes are wrinkled and dirty, too.
The first two buttons are popped, and the buttons are missing entirely.
My eyes linger on the golden skin beneath.
Just the sliver of skin reveals a few faded lines of scars.
So close within my reach, I’m curious how he’d feel against my fingertips.
Rocco Parada.
I’ve heard his name spoken more in my home this week than my entire life.
Ren has had plenty of complaints, especially last night when he dragged him into here.
Lots of curses mixed in, too.
After dropping him off on our couch like a sack of potatoes, he abandoned him to get some rest as well.
My brother told me to stay away, not to bother our guest. However, I can’t help myself.
I rarely get to see anyone.
In fact, I haven’t seen another person since I was a kid.
Call me curious to see what kind of men my brother spends his time with.
Now that I’ve followed the order through the night, I can say it’s a new day.
Therefore, I feel like this should be okay.
No one is around to see what I’m doing, anyway.
Kneeling next to his head, I stare at him.
He’s got bags beneath his eyes, the telltale signs of rough nights.
His dark hair is messy, like he spends his time shoving his fingers through the strands.
I look at his mouth and trace the downward curve glued to his lips even while he’s resting.
I’d hoped to find someone interesting.
Someone who doesn’t make my nose shrivel up and my mouth curl.
Instead, I think my brother has kidnapped a homeless guy.
Sometimes, he likes to pretend he’s charitable.
Secretly, I know just how greedy my brother is.
I don’t know why he brought this man to our home.
He never brings people here.
If this guy is involved with his work, then he’d deal with him in the city.
Not out here where it’s quiet.
Something tells me this man is going to disrupt all the silence and peace.
Counting the dark patches on his throat, I can’t help myself.
I’ve seen hickies before on Ren, but not up close like this.
Only inches away, I can see that they look like little bruises.
My nail grazes one mark, and I start to drag my finger toward the next like I’m connecting a constellation.
However, before I can make it to the next dark patch, this man’s eyes snap open.
Before I can breathe, thick fingers are suddenly wrapped around my wrist. Before I can blink, more fingers are wrapped around my throat.
For smelling like booze, this man reacts like an animal.
Quick and deadly, he has this look in his eye that makes my heart flutter in my chest before picking up in speed.
My pulse races against his fingertips, but I don’t dare swallow.
Instead, I steady my breathing.
He’s not squeezing my throat tight enough to cut off the airflow, but getting in fresh air isn’t easy.
Watching the fog clear away from his eyes, it doesn’t take long for him to realize I’m not a threat.
Jerking to look around, he releases me long enough to groan and pinch his brow.
From how badly his clothing smells, I can only imagine how much he indulged in.
“Where the fuck am I?” His voice is rough, deep enough that I can feel it tickle my bones.
“How in the hell did I get here?”
He moves to stand up, quick to get on his feet, and I watch in amazement as he crumbles right back onto the crouch.
When his skin pales, I quickly grab the trash can tucked in the corner.
Offering it up, he doesn’t think twice to snatch it from me before hurling whatever is weighing down his stomach.
Leaving momentarily, I abandon our living room to move to the kitchen.
Grabbing a glass and filling it with water, I hunt down painkillers while I’m at it.
I’ve cared for Ren when he’s had too much fun the night before.
Does this man have anyone to take care of him?
Returning, I realize my heart is still going at it.
The thumps are so loud, I’d be surprised if he couldn’t hear them.
As he’s right back to the position I’ve found him in, his brows come together as his eyes pinch shut.
He only opens them again when I nudge him with the glass.
Opening his eyes, he stares at me.
His eyes are a dark brown.
A little bloodshot, but the prettiest shade I’ve seen.
Reminds me of an amber gemstone when the sun hits his face just right.
Even in such a state, I can see how handsome he is.
Lifting my hands, my fingers graze his face.
While he stiffens under my touch, he allows me to trace the hairs on his face.
“You’re the complete opposite of my brother,” I murmur, my voice soft.
“You must be important to him if he brought you here.”
My thumb traces his frown, and I watch in amazement as it softens beneath my touch.
“Who are you?” He asks next, this question coming out more hoarse as he stares at me in bewilderment.
Unlike all of his previous questions, I’m willing to answer this one.
I want to hear that gravelly voice of his speak my name.
“Aurora.” Cupping his face, I smile.
“Aurora Marino.”
Staring up at me, I watch as his pupils shrink.
Must be the sunlight.
Up this close, I can see the different colored specs dancing around the empty black circles.
Are all guys this handsome, or just this one?
I don’t want to look away.
Like he’s got me in a trance, I’m stuck in place for the next few passing seconds.
I think for a moment, we are both in the same state.
Hearing footsteps in the distance, I jerk and look behind me.
Taking a step back, I’m surprised by the warmth on my arm.
Rocco reaches out in an attempt to stop me.
Unlike his earlier touch, his fingers feel soft against my skin.
“He can’t know I’ve been here,” I whisper before pulling back.
As confusion slips over his face, I snatch the pill bottle and dart away before Renato can join us.
I don’t know why my brother brought a man here, but it’s not something he’s done before.
My brother is far too protective of me.
Growing up, he’s always been in my shadow, keeping me safe from any of the dangers of the world.
When I was little and Ren had to take over after our father was killed, he’d moved us out in the middle of nowhere, promising to keep me safe.
No arranged marriages like our father planned.
No trades to strengthen bonds.
Just peaceful serenity.
Ten years later, there’s suddenly a hiccup.
Rocco Parada.
If I’m not careful, Ren’s going to take away the first anomaly he’s allowed in our home.
And a man as interesting as this one?
I want him to stay as long as possible.