Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Rayna
Iwake up sore and satiated. And mostly, surprised.
Not just surprised because I had the best night of sleep of my life in an unfamiliar space. Not just surprised that I didn’t even wake up once out of fear or trepidation. But utter shock that Apollo is still in bed with me.
Still in bed under me.
I’m trying not to move or breathe too hard, registering the state of us.
I don’t know whether my head is frozen to his chest because I don’t want to wake him, or because I’m trying to process the fact that I’m wrapped around him like a monkey.
My leg is thrown over his hips, my thigh covering what is obviously his very stiff morning wood.
And my hands are glued to him, one of them practically squeezing his bicep.
What.
The.
Hell.
I do not cuddle. I am not a snuggly woman, and yet, the current situation I find myself in would argue otherwise.
Why does he feel so goddamn warm?
A man this muscular shouldn’t also be so cozy.
“I noticed the moment your breathing shifted, Rayna,” he rumbles, startling the fuck out of me. “If you’re trying not to wake me, you’re doing a poor job of it.”
“S-sorry,” I stammer, detaching my hand from his arm. I move to lift my leg as well, but he grabs it before I can, holding me down.
“Go back to sleep.”
“It’s probably late,” I whisper, noting the bright sun peeking through the sides of his dark curtains. “Aren’t you normally up at the crack of dawn?”
“I don’t normally have my half-naked fiancée holding me down.”
“You’re the one holding me down,” I argue, trying not to smile. “If you think you’re getting a morning fuck, you’re out of luck. I can still feel you inside of me, I need a break.”
His eyes still closed, I watch as a smile spreads his lips wide. “You weren’t complaining last night.”
“I was a different woman last night,” I mumble, sighing into his chest. “She was so horny that her brain melted, now I’ve cooled off and remembered that limits exist.”
“Mmm,” he hums. “What a shame.”
“Your watch is still on,” I note, nudging him softly. “What time is it?”
He doesn’t even look. “Ten thirty.”
“Holy shit,” I blurt, shock hitting me hard. “We slept in late as hell, Apollo. Why didn’t you wake me up?”
He clearly checked his watch before, meaning he’s probably been up for a while now. Has he just been lying here to keep feeling me on top of him?
No, no way.
“We were up late,” he says simply. “We went four rounds after your bath.”
Flashes of last night play on my mind and I flush. “We have to get up. I need a shower, breakfast, and ibuprofen for my sore…well, sore everything.”
Sighing, he releases my thigh and mumbles, “If you insist.”
“People are going to talk,” I say worriedly, getting out of bed and grabbing my nearby robe.
He watches me rush to cover up and reasons, “An engaged couple fucking late and sleeping in the next day isn’t exactly a newsworthy piece of gossip, micina.”
“No, but I don’t want Yordan to feel uncomfortable…” I wince, feeling kind of guilty for what he might think. I wouldn’t want to think about his intimate life, which I really hope doesn’t exist. And living here, it means he has to face mine on a regular basis.
“He’s not naive,” Apollo says, like he needs to remind me of my brother’s aptitude and intelligence. “He probably assumes something has happened between us before now. He’ll get used to it, Rayna.”
“I guess.” I grab my phone, heading for the bathroom. “We could probably shower together then, if you needed one.” I blush at the heated look he gives me in return. “You know, to save time and water. No funny business, though. I really am sore.”
“What a brilliant idea.”
I hide a smile, proud of myself for allowing us to enjoy this morning.
I could have put my guard up as soon as we woke up.
I could have started bickering with him and dampened the mood.
But for once, I’m allowing myself to enjoy this bit of peace.
He makes me feel good, even if he frustrates me.
I shouldn’t feel ashamed of enjoying time with him.
Once we’re in the bathroom, Apollo gets the walk-in shower running and I go to set down my phone on the counter. Only, a text from Sienna is waiting for me, so I have to check it first.
Sienna
Don’t leave me in suspense! Elio told me you moved in. Did you like the ring? Please tell me you did and you just got too caught up with moving to text me an update. I’ll die if you’re avoiding telling me that you hated my choice!
I smile at her message, beginning to type my own.
Rayna
I didn’t know how to tell you about him without feeling like an idiot after he said you helped pick the ring. I should have told you as soon as he proposed the idea of marriage, but I didn’t know what to say. It all happened so fast. Please don’t be mad at me for burying the lead.
Rayna
But yes, the ring is absolutely gorgeous.
Lifting my hand to the light, I snap a picture of it on my finger. Biting my lip, I notice Apollo’s naked back is visible in the background, and I send it anyway.
Sienna
Holy shit! Rayna Todorov, are you fucking your fiancé?
Rayna
I mean…not right now I’m not.
“Hurry up, micina,” Apollo says, watching me from across the room as he steps under the steaming hot spray of water.
“One sec,” I reply quickly. “It’s Sienna.”
“She can wait.”
I roll my eyes at his impatience, feeling my phone buzz again.
Sienna
I wasn’t mad before because I was thinking this was an arranged thing. But you don’t sleep with just anyone. You LIKE this guy!
Sienna
Total best friend party foul by not telling me sooner, but I’ll let it slide if you provide me explicit details to make up for it.
Sienna
Also, it’s even prettier on your hand. I’m so happy for you :’)
My heart warms.
Rayna
Details coming soon. I’m about to get in the shower.
Rayna
You’re the best. XO <3
Rayna
And I don’t LIKE him.
Sienna
BULLSHIT, cupcake. Talk soon. XX <3
“There’s the sleepyheads,” Jade chimes as soon as I step into the kitchen.
Apollo is trailing just behind me, dressed in a designer suit with his hair dried and styled.
He looks like he’s been up for hours, meanwhile I look like I got out of the shower seconds ago.
With damp, towel-dried hair, a moisturized face, and the first basic outfit I could find in my new closet wrapped around my body.
“There’s fresh bagels and juice, help yourselves.
Rayna, if you want something hot, Martha is around here somewhere.
Or you can make yourself something too, whatever you prefer.
” She’s standing in front of the open fridge, grabbing what looks like a bottle of juice before spinning around to smile at us.
“Wish I could stay and chat, but I’m on my way out.
Dmitri and I are taking the kids to the library for story time.
Javier and Yordan are coming too, they’re going to do some tutoring stuff while Javi acts as a backup guard. ”
“That sounds fun,” I reply quickly, meaning it. “I’m sure the twins will love that. See you later?”
“Definitely,” she chirps, passing by us in a graceful rush. “Goodbye, big brother. Sleeping in looks good on you.”
I smother a laugh, watching as she leaves. “I think she just told you that you have a post-sex glow without realizing it.”
“It’s possible that she realized it and is convincing herself it was the sleep,” he says, amused. “Jade is very much a little sister. She wants to hear nothing about her brothers and their extracurricular activities.”
“Can’t blame her, I feel exactly the same way.”
“What do you want to eat?” Apollo asks, shifting the subject.
“A bagel is fine.” I shrug, looking around the counter. There’s plenty of fruit out too.
“Sit,” he instructs, nodding to the counter. “How do you like your eggs?”
“You’re going to make me eggs?” I ask, disbelief evident in my tone as I slide into a tall chair. “You can cook?”
“I can do most things,” he answers dryly. “But your doubt in me has been noted, love. Omelet, scrambled, poached, over easy? What’ll it be?”
“Whatever you’re having, I guess.” I reach across the counter top, snagging a bowl of raspberries. “But I’m eating these while I wait.”
“By all means,” he agrees, getting to work on firing up the stove. “We should talk about the wedding. We planned our marriage but not the ceremony itself. Do you have an idea of what you want and when you want it? I should give my father details as soon as possible.”
I almost choke on my first raspberry, the abrupt shift in conversation taking me by surprise.
“You want to talk about that now?”
“No time like the present, micina.”
I suppose I can’t really argue with that, not reasonably, at least.
“I don’t want a huge wedding,” I start, folding my hands in my lap, fruit suddenly forgotten.
“A bunch of strangers surrounding me makes me nervous, and honestly, a smaller guest list is more appealing in general. I know you’re the future Capo, so there’s expectations, but if we could keep it as small as possible, I would appreciate it. ”
I expect Apollo to give me a patronizing explanation of why our wedding needs to be some big circus, but instead, he lights up.
“Rayna, we could marry in the back yard tomorrow if you want. The last thing I want is a huge to do. I fucking hate making polite conversation with people I can barely stand.”
“R-really?” I ask, surprised. Not that he hates small talk, but that he doesn’t have traditions to follow. “It would be okay with your dad if we didn’t do a big thing?”
“Moretti weddings can be small,” he explains with a shrug.
“We can choose whatever we want. Dad knows how to spin anything. An intimate wedding can mean many things. Ana and Cassio’s wedding was small, they invited a few strategic people so that it was recognized as legitimate, and the rest of the guests were family. ”
“I want that,” I admit with a relieved drop of my shoulders. “I don’t want rumors about a shotgun wedding or anything to ruin your reputation, but I would be so stressed with a crowded flashy celebration.”
“We’re on the same page, then.” The pan in front of him sizzles, and he looks back at me. “Do you want to do it here, like Ana and Cassio did? We could plan for it to be relatively soon.”
“Maybe I could talk to Jade about it?” I suggest. “She could probably tell me the best time for all of you.”
“She does keep in contact with all of us the most consistently,” he agrees, nodding absently. “Armani might be best to consult when it comes to actual planning though. He has the most diverse connections for events.”
“I can do that.” I start to consider all the details that go into a wedding and silently acknowledge that I’ll certainly be going to Armani for help.
“Do we need to worry about people talking? I know Abramo agreed to make us your responsibility, and severed our connection to the Casa Nostra. But if we get married, it confirms mine and Yordan’s location. ”
“The Bulgarians aren’t aware you’re here,” he confirms. “But I’ve arranged a call with their leader next week.
They’ll be informed that you’re going to be a Moretti, and if they become a threat to you or your brother, they’ll regret it.
The entire weight of The Outfit, The Morozov Bratva, and our various allies will fall upon them.
I have very little worry that they’ll attempt to challenge that force to settle an old grudge. ”
“Okay,” I breathe, nodding gently. “If you think it’s safe.”
“Is that trust I’m hearing, love?”
I give him a weak smile. “I’m working on it.”
“Speaking of working on things,” he begins, grabbing two plates from one of the cabinets nearby. “You need to spend more of our money, work on that.”
“It’s your money,” I huff. “We aren’t married yet.”
“Okay.” Apollo crosses his arms, giving me a stern look. “You need to spend more of my money, then.”
“And why, pray tell, do I need to do that?” I ask stubbornly. I don’t care that what he’s telling me to do is something harmless. I care that he’s trying to tell me what to do at all. “I have everything I want here. There’s no need to spend money.”
“There is a need,” he argues. “The need is that my fiancée acts like she has no money, and it irks me. Buy things for yourself, for Yordan, for gifts. Donate. Do something so that I know I’m financially providing for you.”
Confused, I point out, “You are financially providing for me. It sounds like you want to financially spoil me, and that’s not the same thing.”
“It is to me,” Apollo says, maintaining his firm stance.
“Is this a sex thing?” I ask suddenly. “Does it turn you off that I’m not dripping in diamonds and strutting around in designer shoes?”
He rolls his eyes. “It’s not a sex thing. And nothing you do turns me off. It would, however, make me happy to see my phone light up with banking notifications. It would make me feel like you weren’t walking on egg shells with that card I gave you.”
“Fine.”
A devious thought comes to mind, and I grab my phone as he begins to plate our breakfast. Finding the contact I need, I hit dial and put it to my ear, staring down Apollo as I do.
“Hello? Rayna, that you?”
“Elio,” I chirp, replying happily. “I need your help.”
“Is something wrong?” he asks, immediately on edge.
“What? No.” I chuckle, hearing him sigh with relief. “I need your help with a shopping thing.”
“Shopping?” he echoes, sounding uncomfortable. “That’s really more of an Armani thing, birichina.”
“Car shopping,” I clarify, lifting a brow at Apollo. He doesn’t look fazed.
But I can practically hear the grin on Elio’s face as he replies, “Well, that I can help with. What are we looking for? You want something other than the spare we gave you?”
“Apollo instructed me to spend money,” I explain with an innocent smile. “Care to help me make him regret it?”