Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
ALONDRA
One night tangled up in him, and I’m a fool in love. Again!
Unwilling to separate from him, I asked Vale to let me help him and the other people clean up the school after yesterday’s repairs and prepare the classrooms for the kids.
I was only going to clean for half a day, but there was much to do, so we all agreed to stay until the end of the day and knock this off the list. I inspect the previously muddy floors, which are now spotless, just like the windows, the desks, and the blackboard. It was a shame to dispose of so many water-damaged books. I could organize a drive to get some donations. I make a note on my phone. The air coming through the window is taking away the smell of the paint. This room reminds me of Lincoln High. It’s so easy to picture myself sitting in one of the chairs, listening to my poli sci teacher explain government. I got As on tests then but failed it at in real life … especially with this scandal.
I step back and close the door, running straight into Vale’s chest.
“Like a moth to the flame.”
Butterflies rustle in my belly, but I give him a light shove. His chest is hard and all muscle. I now know every inch of his body because I spent the whole night tracing his body with my hands.
Yet, I say, “Shut up” like we are kids teasing each other.
He smiles, his fingers trailing my cheek. “We can go.”
“Where?” I ask.
“Home. The school is clean.”
I gape at him. “Already?”
He nods. “You did half this floor by yourself. That’s what happens when we have hardworking volunteers.”
“This was good. A little cathartic for me.”
As we head out, we wave to the other volunteers. They welcomed me warmly and handed me a bucket, mop, rags, and cleaning detergent.
We cleaned all morning, and the owners of one of the local restaurants brought us sandwiches for lunch.
“Those fish sandwiches were so flavorful. I could eat another one for dinner.”
He shoots me a smile. “Yesenia and Ahmed do make the best food. But you’ll have to wait a few more days until the repairs to the restaurant are done so they can open again. They made today’s food in their kitchen.”
A few more days and I won’t be here. I have to go home and face the music.
“We’re so dirty,” I say, looking at my nearly brown Adidas and his used-to-be wheat color Timberlands.
“There’s a big shower in my room,” he says, placing his hand on the small of my back to guide me down a path to the beach. “Shortcut.”
“I can’t wait to get into your big shower.” I bat my lashes at him. “And back in your big bed.”
He tugs me against his side. “Oh yeah?”
We spent the night on it. Over, under, next to him, I came more times last night than in the past two years. And that’s sad. But God, the wait was worth it.
“I have plans for you, birdie.”
I smile and open my mouth to tell him he’s the only one who has ever called me that, but the faint mewling sound stops me in my tracks. “Did you hear that?”
I hear the sound again, and now I recognize it.
With Vale on my heels, I take off, running toward the sound. The sound turns louder and multiplies as we get closer to one of the ravaged houses. We go into the alleyway by the hotel next to his place and find the little culprits behind an outdoor shed near the pool area.
“Kittens,” I say, pointing at the two little fur balls, one black and the other gray.
He crosses the distance and picks up the black one and his sibling. “God, they’re so tiny. They must not be that old.”
I scratch the black one between the ears and then the other. They mewl loudly. “You two are so cute.”
Vale pushes them to me, and they immediately latch onto my sweatshirt. I turn around and start walking.
“Wait. Where are you going with those things?” he asks.
“I’m taking them home. They’re mom’s not around. They need food.”
He stops walking. “No. I’m not keeping those cats. Estas loca ?”
I look over my shoulder at him and hold them against me. “No, I’m not crazy. They need help and love, too.”
“I’m a dog person,” he shouts.
I keep walking.
“You’re going to take care of them,” he yells.
“I’ll take them back home if I have to,” I tease him and keep walking.
When we reach his house, he still hasn’t said a word. I can’t believe he’s pouting over the kittens.
He’s not talking to me as we walk inside the house. I press my lips to keep from smiling and head to my room instead of his.
I place the kittens in the sink where they can’t get out, strip out of my clothes, and jump in the shower. Halfway through, it hits me. He’s not angry about the kittens. He was silent after I said I’d take them back home. I rinse off, wrap myself in the towel, and place the kittens on the bed. I make a fort of pillows around them. Then, head to Vale’s room.
The door is open, and I walk into his bathroom. He’s inside the glass shower, the water sliding down his chest, abs, and legs. He’s so beautiful, from that smooth brown skin to the cock begging for my lips. His gaze meets mine, and I let my towel fall. He steps back, making room for me. I walk inside, and he immediately reaches for me, pressing me hard against him. But as turned on as I am for him, as much as I want him to take me against the tile backsplash, something traps me is his eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“You’re going to leave,” he says.
“Yes.” Tears begin to sting my eyes. “I need to clear my name.”
He nods. “Yeah, you can’t say fuck all of that.”
I shake my head. “That’s not who I am.”
“It’s not. It’s never been.” His hand digs into my hair and tightens. “You better come back.”
“I am, but let’s not think about goodbyes. Let’s enjoy today and now.” I pull his head down and devour his mouth, savoring it in the same way that haunted me for years. This will have to do in case I don’t get to come back. What if I can’t clear my name and end up as the fall guy? I would never drag him down with me.