Cristiana
Since my release from the hospital nine days ago, I’ve gotten used to a couple of things.
One, was Reuben treating me like I was fragile, and even touching me slightly would hurt me.
I assured him that sleeping with me wouldn’t cause me harm.
He worried he’d hug me in his sleep and cause me pain.
He was a cuddler. This worry led him to kiss me silly, then retire to sleep in the guest room every night.
While my arm still ached and I had to be careful how I used it, I wasn’t incapacitated.
However, Reuben insisted on waiting on me whenever he was home.
And other than kisses, there had been no intimacy between us.
Something had to give this weekend, or I’d go crazy.
I wanted him in my bed and to make love to me.
The first step to making that happen, I’d already arranged.
The other thing I’ve worked to get used to was having a shadow whenever I left the flat without Reuben, or when he was at work.
I refused to go to Lustz every night that he was there to hang out in his office or the apartment on the third floor.
I protested using Iker and Matvey’s men, but Reuben said they were nonnegotiable.
When I asked what they cost so that I could pay for their time, he growled and told me he took care of his woman.
However, those frustrations were pushed to the background due to the destination we had almost reached.
This weekend was the gathering for my parents’ wedding anniversary.
They wanted the main family to have dinner at their house on Saturday, and then on Sunday, a large venue was rented to host the party.
They had it catered for the occasion. It was their fortieth.
We had an extensive extended family and numerous family friends who would attend.
My parents were well-liked. I tried not to be nervous, but it was no use.
I was sick to my stomach over the thought of exposing my secret to my family.
I dreaded them judging me and possibly turning their backs on me.
Introducing Reuben would be a breeze. It was sharing where we met that put a wrench in it.
After much discussion, he and I agreed that the best thing was to tell them about us and use it as a lead-in to my secret lifestyle.
I hated to add this to our plate. We had the Fisher thing and Reuben’s family, with whom he hadn’t yet patched things up.
They kept reaching out and apologizing. Reuben assured them that he would tell them when he was ready to have a conversation with them.
I asked how long he would isolate himself from them.
His answer was until after we dealt with Fisher—another reason to pray that we discovered where he was fast.
It seemed that after Fisher failed to acquire me at my apartment and I fell out the window, he fled.
Not a surprise. Friends of Reuben’s had found video captures from a nearby security camera that showed him leaving my place after I fell.
However, that coverage was lost once he left Nashville.
They found his home address, but Fisher hadn’t been there.
His work had him out on emergency leave.
I wondered what lie he told them. Iker and a biker named Outlaw were still digging into his life and setting up ways to be alerted if he emerged from his hole.
Reuben had told me that Mikhail had spoken with the owner of the club I was part of back in Memphis. The owner shared the reason why he denied Fisher’s request to join. It was simple. Fisher gave the guy a funny feeling, and the owner, having learned a long time ago to trust his gut, denied him.
Reuben and I arrived in Lakeland, where my family lived, around mid-afternoon.
Dinner was set for six o’clock, but he wanted to give us a chance to check into our hotel and to clean up.
Even though the drive was only about four hours, he knew I’d need more time to calm myself, rather than because I was dirty.
Always the gentleman, Reuben handled the luggage when we arrived, but only after assisting me out of his car.
And he made sure I had one of his arms to hang onto.
The hotel was busy, and I noted how female eyes were drawn to him.
He was an arresting man. I was proud to be seen with him.
Arriving at the desk, he gave the woman working it our names.
That’s when he discovered my surprise. I’d made the reservation for us.
“Here it is, Mr. Davila. You have a suite with a king-sized bed,” she said with a smile.
I saw the way Reuben hesitated before he asked her, “Is there a pull-out in that room? Or does it have a long couch?”
“There is a couch, sir, but I don’t think it’ll be longer than your height. There isn’t a pull-out. We can get you a cot if you need one.”
My heart sank. Goddamn it, he was still going to sleep separately. Anger hit me. I let go of his arm.
“Why don’t you just ask for a separate room and call it a day? Or better yet, you go back to Nashville and I’ll find my own way back,” I snapped.
“Bebé, you know why—” Reuben started to protest, but I walked off without hearing him.
He could do whatever the hell he wanted. I was over it. In fact, he could have the suite. Whipping around, I went back to him. He was standing there watching me with concern.
“You know what, no need for an extra room or a cot. I’ll be staying elsewhere.” I snagged my suitcase and then turned to walk away. There would be a taxi outside that I could get.
I was stopped by Reuben, who placed himself in front of me.
“Tiana, stop. You’re not going anywhere without me.”
“Reuben, don’t think you can order me around. We’re not in the bedroom. I can go anywhere I damn well please. Move,” I snapped.
“Have you forgotten we have no bodyguards with us? You can’t be alone,” he responded.
“I think I can survive a taxi ride without being kidnapped. And if you’re so concerned, I’ll stay with my parents or one of my siblings. See, problem solved. Go home, Reuben. An introduction can wait.”
“Wait for what?” he asked.
“Wait to see if you and I even last,” I said without thinking. I was lashing out due to my frustration.
His eyes widened, then narrowed. “Come with me. We need to talk, and before you say no, let me be clear. I have no issue carrying you there if necessary. I want to know what the fuck has gotten into you. Are you that nervous about this?”
“It has nothing to do with the reason for this trip. And the fact that you think it does only makes it worse. Forget it.” I waved my hand dismissively.
Suddenly, he was on me. Reuben swept me off my feet and into his arms. He had me positioned bridal-style. With his gaze burning, he stomped to the desk. The woman behind it was staring at us in disbelief.
“I’ll take my keycard. If you wouldn’t mind, could you hold onto our luggage until I come by to pick it up? My girlfriend and I need to talk.”
“Y-yes, sir. H-here you go,” she stuttered as she handed his card over.
Reuben took it and immediately strode toward the elevators.
I wiggled as I ordered him to put me down.
All I got in return was a slap to my ass.
That one smack ignited the fire smoldering in my core.
I was so sexually frustrated that it would take nothing to have me come.
But undoubtedly, I’d have to take care of it myself—the way I’d been doing it the past several days.
Reuben also refused to shower with me at night.
A sudden thought hit me. Maybe it wasn’t about my injuries.
Had he grown tired of me already and didn’t know how to tell me?
Nausea filled me. As I contemplated this, it gave him time to get us to our room and inside.
Once we were, I pleaded with him. “Please, put me down.”
I knew I sounded weak, but I couldn’t help it. Reuben frowned as he slowly set me on my feet. As soon as I was upright, I moved away from him and to the window. I stared out of it. I heard him pacing behind me. After a solid minute, he broke the strained silence.
“Tiana, talk to me. Tell me what the hell is going on? What was that about downstairs? Why won’t you look at me?”
“Why don’t you just tell me, Reuben? There’s no need for you to go through all this. Just say it, then we can get on with our lives.”
“Say what?” he asked.
I turned around. God, looking at him hurt. What if this was the last time I did? The nausea increased. I swallowed to hold it down.
“That you no longer want me and you’ve been trying to figure out how to tell me,” I said.
Any other time, the astonishment on his face might be funny, but not this time.
As his mouth opened, I ran for it. No, I wasn’t headed for the door to the hallway.
I went to the bathroom. Bending at the waist, I heaved, but nothing came up.
I did it again. Seconds later, I felt the warmth of his body.
He was standing that close behind me. I gestured with my hand.
“Go away,” I urged.
“Like hell I will. What’s wrong? Why are you heaving?” he demanded.
I wasn’t able to answer because I was back to heaving.
After about five minutes, nothing came up.
As I straightened, Reuben put his hand on my lower back.
I was too tired to tell him to move it. Instead, I went to the sink and rinsed out my mouth a couple of times, even though I hadn’t puked. It felt so dry.
When I was finished, I wearily walked back to the main room and to the lounge area. I dropped onto the single chair they had there, leaving the sofa for him. Reuben didn’t take it. Instead, he stood before me.
“Tiana, you’re scaring me. Talk to me. What did I do wrong to have you think we won’t stay together? You’re upset and angry, but I don’t know why. Tell me. Whatever it is, I can fix it,” he insisted. I heard a plea in his words.
“There’s only one way to fix it, and I don’t see you doing that. Just drop it. I need to concentrate on getting through this weekend. I think it would be best if you stayed here if you won’t go home. I’ll attend dinner tonight and the party tomorrow alone.”
Abruptly, Reuben was closer to me. Before I could say anything, he dropped to his knees. I never expected him to do that. Or what he did next. He lowered his head to my thighs. His arms came up to cradle me along my thighs and hips.
“Please, nina, don’t do this. I can’t stand it. Don’t send me away. Tell me what’s wrong. I love you. I can’t fucking lose you,” he muttered hoarsely.
“Do you love me? Or have you been kidding yourself?”
His head came up. There was a fire in his eyes this time.
“I love you more than anything or anyone in this world. I’m not kidding myself.
Tell me what brought this on before I go insane.
” His growl was all Dom, and despite the seriousness of the moment, my submissive nature made me answer him, but I still expressed myself firmly.
“You refuse to sleep in the same bed with me. You take separate showers, and you haven’t done anything except kiss me for over a week.
You say it’s because you’re afraid of hurting me, but I’ve told you repeatedly that it won’t.
What else am I to think other than you’re making up excuses?
I don’t need or want your pity, Reuben. And I refuse to introduce you to my family, only to turn around and tell them we broke up after you get the courage to admit it.
I release you of any responsibility for me or my safety.
I’ll call Iker and ask him to send someone to look after me so you can leave with a clear conscience. ”
I gasped as Reuben lunged upward. His arms came around me, and the next thing I knew, I was in his arms. He stomped to the bed where he lay me down. He didn’t move away. Reuben straddled my body. He caged me in with his arms.
“Not another word. Keep your eyes on me and listen,” he growled. When he saw I was watching him, he continued.
“I don’t want to end us. Ever. And I won’t leave you here and send other men to guard you. You’re mine, Tiana. As for you thinking I don’t fucking desire you, tell that to him,” he hissed as he grabbed one of my hands and brought it down between our bodies.
He pressed my palm to his fly. I moaned at the feel of his erection pressing against the zipper of his pants. He groaned and rubbed his cloth-covered cock against my palm.
“I want you so badly that I’ve had no other choice but to sleep and shower alone and only kiss you.
I didn’t want to hurt you, and I thought after what happened, you needed time.
Fisher might not have assaulted you, but he planned to.
I’ve pleasured myself in the shower every night and in the bathroom every morning to thoughts of you.
Recalling how you look, taste, smell, and feel as we make love, and when I fuck you.
I want you more than my next breath,” he groaned.
The naked vulnerability and longing stamped on his face told me Reuben meant every word. Unable to deny myself, I raised my head off the pillow and up to his lips. I latched onto them hungrily.