Chapter 9 Alina
Chapter nine
Alina
My car comes to a stop in front of Mauro’s house as the engine rumbles louder than any car should before abruptly silencing.
With my gloved fingers, since the heating still refuses to turn on, I rub the edge of the steering wheel in a soothing motion.
“Hang in there, girl. Hopefully, soon I’ll be able to get you tuned to perfection. ”
As if understanding me, the car makes a sound resembling a sigh when, in fact, it’s probably something else ready to give out at any moment.
Opening my door, I step into the fresh coating of snow just as Mauro’s front door opens.
He stands at the threshold with his arms crossed over his chest, his larger-than-life biceps outlined under his white T-shirt.
Holy sweetness. “Hey.” I wave as I quickly look anywhere but at him, advancing toward the back of my car. “I only have a couple of things.”
He snaps his fingers, and a moment later, two men walk out of his house heading my way. “Oh, I can manage.”
The one closest to me scoffs and points a thumb over his shoulder. “He’ll have our balls in a vise if we don’t help, and I for one would hate to live without them.” He stabs a finger against his chest. “I’m Joey.” He jerks his chin to the other guy. “And this is Elio.”
Elio dips his chin in a polite greeting before reaching inside my trunk.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I respond as they grab my suitcases, leaving my weekender bag in my passenger seat for me to hold.
The one with my toiletries and essentials.
I almost smile thinking about what’s buried at the bottom of this bag, but bite down on my lip.
Just as I step toward the door, Mauro beats me to it.
“I can handle this one,” I quickly say. “It’s not heavy.”
He completely ignores me and curls his arms around the bag, carrying it against his chest as he turns to head inside.
Oh no.
“Wait, Mauro!” I run after him, crossing the threshold just as the other two men appear before him.
“All set, boss.” The second one gives a salute, and the two of them turn to leave, but not before I slide across the floor on my wet boots. At the last second, Mauro turns with the bag still in his hands, and I crash directly into it, my fingers gripping his biceps for stability.
His hold on the bag doesn’t falter, and relief swims through me that the contents didn’t spill on the floor between us.
Phew, that could have been bad—
A loud thrumming noise echoes inside the bag.
Please tell me I’m dreaming.
Mauro’s eyes widen, peering down at the bag with an arched brow.
An intense warm flush spreads over my entire body.
“I umm…”
If there were ever a moment in my life where I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole, this would be that moment.
“Well.” Joey and Elio look at each other nervously. “We’re going to head outside and make our rounds.” They hurry to the door, slamming it behind them. A thunderous silence fills the space between us, along with the ravenous vibration.
It could be my imagination, but in the one minute it’s been on, it seems to have only gotten louder. And possibly faster.
“It’s not what you think.” I roll in my bottom lip, dropping my hands, and stepping back. “You see…”
Mauro carefully unzips the bag, and the noise becomes tenfold. Reaching inside, he pauses, and then pulls out my bright pink Speed Bunny—my trusty vibrator.
Is it possible to die from embarrassment?
He examines the object for a few seconds before suddenly pressing down on the back side of it, shutting it off, and then looking directly at me.
The silence is almost suffocating.
I swallow hard, trying to mask my humiliation, but I’m failing miserably.
“Okay, maybe it was exactly what you were thinking,” I murmur.
I cover my face with my hands. “Any chance you can just pretend this never happened?” I peek through my fingers, finding a slight grin appearing on his face.
I drop my hands and shrug. “I guess it shouldn’t be embarrassing.
I mean, I’m your wife after all, even if it’s fake.
And since we won’t be”—I motion between us—“doing anything, well then it only makes sense that I should be prepared in case—” I see his eyes darkening and stop myself.
Peering down at the floor, I take a deep breath and wrap my arms around myself. “Sorry, I ramble when I’m nervous.”
A moment passes before he carefully places the bag on the floor with the vibrator back inside. Then, with a gentle touch, he wraps his fingers around my chin, lifting my head until our eyes meet.
He opens his mouth, ready to either speak or mouth something, when the vibration of his phone interrupts us. Sighing, he steps back and pulls his phone out of his pocket. When he sees who it is, he answers it and puts it on speakerphone.
“We’re outside. Can you bring an extra shirt?” Vin’s deep voice asks him. “Alex spilled coffee on himself and is about to have a conniption.”
“No, I am not,” Alex responds. “But if I don’t soak it in—”
“Hurry, Mauro. I can’t take much more of this,” Leo complains right before Mauro ends the call.
I smile. “It sounds like they need you.”
Meeting.
I tuck my hair behind my ear, looking around. “Is it okay if I show myself around?”
Of course. His brows furrow together as he watches me, his hand reaching out to cup my cheek. Will you be okay?
“I’ll be fine,” I tell him. “I packed plenty of books to keep me company. Maybe when you get back, we can have our first ASL lesson? I’d love to see how much you know, so I have a better idea of where to begin with you.”
He frowns, pulls out his phone, and types, I won’t be home until late.
“Oh, of course.” My first night, and he won’t even be here. Disappointment passes through me. Internally, I shake my head. This is all pretend, I remind myself. Just pretend.
He types, Joey and Elio are your guards now. They’ll be swapping shifts, so you can let either of them know if you need anything. Also, your fingerprints have been added to the house’s security system, so you’ll have access to every room.
“Guards?” I raise a brow, suddenly anxious. My thoughts go directly to my father and how I’ll be able to visit him without Mauro knowing.
We’re married, which means we have to take certain precautions.
Having a guard with you is necessary for your safety.
They don’t have to go everywhere with you.
I respect your privacy and know this will all be an adjustment, but I do expect them to go with you in areas that could be deemed dangerous.
I slowly nod, relief filling me that they don’t need to follow me around twenty-four-seven.
The concept of having one isn’t new to me, seeing that I grew up here.
I just haven’t had one in a while. “Maybe I’ll have one of them take me to the grocery store later so I can make a strawberry shortcake.
” I shrug. “It’s my favorite, and I’m craving something sweet. ”
Something that will calm my nerves about this whole thing.
His eyes appear concerned, and he hesitates before taking a step, but then falters, looking at me. Are you sure you’re okay?
“I promise.” Playfully, I push at his side. “Go. But not before getting Alex a clean shirt.”
He nods, taking a step toward the closet to reach inside and retrieve an extra shirt before wrapping his fingers around the doorknob, ready to leave, but instead, pauses.
With a swift step, he turns to me and slides his hand around my neck and leans down to press a kiss to my temple.
Every cell in my body comes to life as my heart flutters wildly.
Pulling back, he regards me one last time before turning and exiting the door.
The second the door closes behind him, it’s like an eerie silence surrounds me.
A chill skates over my arms, and not feeling like going outside to grab my sweatshirt, I open the closet door and find one of Mauro’s.
Sliding my arms into the sleeves, I’m immediately enveloped in his smell—woods, leather…
man. I close my eyes and lift the fabric to my nose, inhaling deeply before grabbing my bag and heading for the stairs.
My fingers slide up the polished wood banister as I admire each hand-carved step with the bark still intact on the sides.
I’m not sure if I should go right or left, but knowing the mountains are to the left and it’s what Mauro would want to seek every night, I head that way, finding a door at the end of the hallway, slightly ajar.
Stepping through the threshold, I immediately spot my bags beside the bed and then stop in my tracks.
“Wow,” I breathe as I take in the dark, tranquil space.
A wall of windows surrounds the space, making you feel like you’re genuinely a part of the mountains.
Lush, green plants are spaced throughout the room.
Rich, brown velvet fabrics cover the ginormous bed.
The pads of my fingers skim over the length of the luxurious duvet as I walk toward the window, staring outside.
A girl could get used to this life.
But this girl shouldn’t.
To my left, I see the door for the bathroom, and head over to inspect what I have to work with. No surprise, I’m met with another room surrounded by glass walls, black marble tiling, and the biggest tub I’ve ever seen just waiting for me to use.
My muscles loosen at the idea of slipping beneath the warm water with bubbles surrounding me. Maybe a glass of wine in my hand and only candles lit.
Sighing, I turn and face the bed. I had thought that when he asked me to move in, he would provide me with a guest room so he could continue to have his own space.
I never envisioned us sharing a room. I roll in my bottom lip as I examine the mattress.
Maybe this is his way of trying to help this all seem real. Even though it’s not.
Definitely not.