Chapter 46
DIANGELO
Present
Terina reminds me of a willow tree, the way she bends and sways. Watching her do yoga on my balcony is my new favorite hobby. Much more relaxing than a crowded yoga studio. And the way her skin glows in the morning light? She’s radiant.
I’m realizing after nearly six weeks spent together that her flexibility isn’t exclusively physical. The light and energy she carries despite the trials she’s endured fortified her with a strength few possess. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before.
She got Tommy to play cards with her while I was gone.
Cards. With Tommy. I can’t even picture how that would work.
But that’s Rina. She gets her mind set on something and makes it happen.
Calling her a bull in a China shop was an ignorant way of minimizing her ability not to let life hold her back.
She doesn’t have a cowardly bone in her body.
Terina is all survivor.
I was an ass for making assumptions and doubting her. She and I don’t think the same, but that doesn’t make her any less astonishing. And despite the way I treated her at first, she’s been nothing but appreciative of my help and worried about me.
Last night, she wouldn’t even let me stand to come eat dinner.
My leg was acting up after being on it more than I should have.
She damn near threatened me with violence if I even thought of getting up off the couch, and instead, brought me a plate.
We ate together, watching TV, while Bonny lay below, monitoring the ground for fallen crumbs.
I’m pretty sure Rina intentionally accidentally dropped more than one morsel.
And the strangest part is, I don’t actually care what she does, so long as she’s safe and happy.
Paint my dog’s nails? Sure.
Rom-coms on the TV at night? That works.
If it means seeing her squirm and giggle with joy, I’ve fulfilled my most important job. How could that not be satisfying?
And in the case of yoga, my satisfaction is twofold because goddamn, her body is a work of art. Lithe and soft and supple in all the best ways.
As though reading my mind, she sneaks a glance over her shoulder and catches my eyes roving over her. A coy smile spreads across her kissable lips before she abandons her mat and joins me inside.
“You watching me like a creeper?”
“Absolutely.” I snag her hand and pull her closer so that her thighs are between mine. She turns and sits on my good leg, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
Fuck does it feel good.
“Have you heard from any of the taxidermy guys?” she asks with a note of curiosity. I told her about the interrogation when I got home last night. She wanted details and didn’t shy away from the ugly parts.
“I checked a few minutes ago. They’re all in place, but no sightings yet.”
“Let’s hope it happens soon.” Her fingers trail distractedly through the short hair on the back of my head, and it feels incredible. Makes me want to pleasure her as well but in a very different way.
My hand caresses up her thigh. “If not…” I gently nip at her jawline. “I’ll just have to…” Nip, then kiss. “Keep you …” More kisses down her neck. “Locked away here.”
“Mmm…” Her husky reply has me grinning.
I have her stand and start to strip her leggings down, but her hand clamps down on mine.
“Oh, ummm … I really need to shower. I’m all sweaty.”
“Just wait until I’m done with you,” I rasp, resuming my efforts.
She pulls away out of my reach. “No, I’m gross. Really. I just…” She motions behind her toward the bedroom. “I’m just gonna take a quick shower.” Faster than a squirrel on crack, she bolts out of sight.
What the fuck was that?
Did Rina just run away from me? Why? It wasn’t like she’d been laying fertilizer or something.
Curious, I head back to the bedroom and find the door to the bathroom closed. I quietly test the door and confirm that it’s locked.
Huh.
While I’m not sure about her motives, wanting to clean up isn’t all that crazy, so I let it go and head to my office to get some work done, including checking in with the tech guys on whether they’ve been able to identify the guy from the apartment break-in on any other security cameras.
So far, nothing. Another dead end, just like the snake, but hopefully, not for long.
The next thing I know, it’s nearly time for dinner.
I rub my face to wake myself up and stand, wincing from the pain. I’ve been sitting too damn long. After grabbing some painkillers, I join Terina in the living room.
“I see you two have been up to no good again.”
Bonny leaps off the sofa and prances toward me, showing off her new pink collar and matching pink toenails.
Rina beams. “Isn’t she adorable?”
“Are those skulls?” I look closer at the collar after I sit, and Bonny bounds onto the couch between Rina and me.
“Skull and crossbones! It’s a pink pirate collar for Bonny the pirate—isn’t it perfect?” She’s so tickled with herself, you’d think she found the cure for cancer.
I’m starting to realize that sort of radiance is a gift.
I think if more people had such a deep appreciation for the little joys in life, this world might be a tad more tolerable.
“I think you’re right,” I concede with a smirk. “The look suits her, and she obviously loves it.”
“Oh, I’m so glad you think so. We were a little worried you’d fuss about it.” Her teeth graze her bottom lip.
“If my girls are happy, I’m happy.” I pat Bonny’s rear. “Now, what are we going to eat tonight? I’m thinking it’d be a good night to order in.”
“That works,” Rina says quietly, her eyes soft and sweet as a fresh-baked cinnamon roll.
We decide on Italian—cliché, I know—and I put in the order. While my phone is still out, I get a call from my mom.
“Hey, Mom. What’s up?”
“Hey, sweetie. How’s all that work stuff going? You still have a house guest?”
Shit, I forgot about scheduling our monthly dinner.
I grimace. “Yeah, actually, not much has changed.”
“Oh, man. I’m sorry to hear that.” She pauses. “You think there’s any way you could squeeze in a visit? We sort of need to talk to you.”
“Yeah, um. We can make that happen.” I glance at Terina, who’s watching me closely. “What about tomorrow afternoon?”
“That would be wonderful, thank you.” The relief in her voice sends a trickle of unease down my spine. I’m not sure if it’s just guilt or something else bothering me, but her reaction seems odd. Whatever the reason, I’ll find out soon enough.
“Sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Looking forward to it. Love you.”
“Love you, too.” I hang up and stare at my phone.
“Everything okay?” Rina asks gently.
“Yeah, just need to drop by my parents’ place tomorrow. I’ll have to see who can come by to be here with you.”
“I’d love to visit Isa and get out of the house for a bit. Would it be okay if I met up with her at her dad’s place?”
I lift my gaze and meet her hopeful stare. “Yeah, if Cosimo will be around, we could do that.” I make the call and set it up, then Rina calls Isa. By the time we’re done, dinner arrives. We eat and watch a little television before calling it a night.
When I see her brushing out her rich auburn hair in the bathroom, my eyes snag on her movements. The long strokes of the brush. The way her chest presses forward, accentuating her nipples pebbled inside her snug camisole.
I’m suddenly ravenous.
I walk up behind her and gather her hair in the three sections, careful not to snag any remaining tangles. She watches raptly in the mirror. I begin to weave the sections into a braid until I reach the ends.
“Rubber band?” I ask, palm out.
She takes one off the counter and hands it to me. “You know how to braid.” Her breathy words go straight to my cock.
“I do. I’m also good with knots … and rope.”
Her chest swells on a jerky inhale. I ease my fingers beneath the hem of her top and slide it upward until the curves of her heavy breasts peek beneath the fabric.
We both watch the scene unfold in the mirror as though looking in on someone else.
Her sultry reaction has me just as hard as the sight of her luscious body.
I allow the shirt to rest where it is and trail my hands seductively along the underside of her breasts toward the inside and back out. Rina lets out a moan and leans backward into me.
“The things you do to me should be illegal,” I rumble in her ear while pulling her ass snug against my throbbing erection.
“D.” Her breathy plea undoes me. I want to pledge my life to worshipping her body.
I return to her camisole, lifting it enough to fully expose her perfect, round tits.
God, I need them in my mouth to lick and suck and flick with my tongue.
Her pink nipples are already pebbled tight and begging for my touch.
I’m just as eager, but force myself to tease a path all the way around, then back before finally twisting those greedy peaks.
Terina cries out, arching her chest hungrily.
I wrap one arm around to knead the far breast and use the other hand to hold her middle snug against me. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I wanted to pierce them,” I rasp close to her ear. “Would you do that for me?” I hold her wanton stare in the mirror. She doesn’t keep me waiting. She nods readily.
“Give me words, firefly.”
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, D. I’ll get my nipples pierced for you.”
“Fuuuck.” I grind against her again, this time bringing my hand to the waist of her pajama pants.
Terina’s hand clamps over mine for the second time today. “Wait. Um…” Her gaze drops. “I, uh, I’ve started my period.”
Ah, so that’s the problem.
“That doesn’t bother me if it doesn’t bother you.”
I swear fear flashes in her eyes for the briefest of seconds, and I don’t understand why.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea. I’m actually a little crampy. I’m sorry.” She tugs at her shirt to lower it, her shoulders rounding protectively.
I turn her to face me and force her gaze to mine. “I want you, Rina, but I’m never going to push you into something you’re not comfortable doing or be upset if you’re not in the mood. No need to apologize.”
I mean every word, though a niggling thought snags in my mind.
I could have sworn I saw a tampon box on the counter two weeks ago. I’m no expert in women’s cycles, but that seems awfully fast.
Is something else going on here?
I suddenly remember her claim that she still has feelings for her dead husband. Could that be true? Is she struggling with guilt?
Or maybe it’s Ciro. She could have resurrected feelings for him when they were together.
She’s been so receptive in every other way that neither of those options seems right. If it’s not about someone else, what then?
I don’t have any idea, and I don't like the feeling of being shut out. She’s keeping something from me when I specifically asked her to be open with me. Doesn’t she trust me?
Frustration claws at me to demand an explanation. I tamp it down. Logic tells me I need to give her time instead of being a dick and pushing her. It’s not easy, though, because as she pointed out early on, I’m an expert at being a dick.