Chapter 34
Elowen
The next time I open my eyes, I’m in his bed, curled around Bruno. As if he senses I’m awake, he sits up and turns to face me.
I kiss his furry face. “My sweetest baby boy.”
He licks my jaw. I scratch behind his ears, giggling as he wriggles with joy. He rolls onto his back, paws paddling the air. I rub his chest, his belly, and kiss his nose.
We play and snuggle for a while, then I sit up. The second my bottom press against the mattress, a sharp wince escapes me.
I’m wearing nothing but his shirt. I glance around. My clothes are folded neatly on the couch. The sheets are fresh, too. He did all this while I was dead to the world.
A sweet fragrance fills the room. The door is open. From the kitchen comes the soft clink of utensils.
Rosie’s nowhere to be seen, either.
I get out of bed, wincing at the smallest friction. Bruno follows.
I take slow, careful steps toward the kitchen. Bruno veers off into another room. Salvario is arranging plates of sandwiches on the counter.
He’s changed into a long-sleeve tee and sweatpants, looking relaxed and fresh.
I smile and walk toward him.
“You’re total husband material.”
The moment I’m close, he pulls me into him and kisses me.
“Then marry me.”
I raise my brows. “Are you proposing?”
He nods.
“This is the laziest proposal in history.” I laugh.
He watches me with an unguarded smile. I kiss his smiling mouth.
“But I’ll still say yes.”
A loud ringtone from the living room couch interrupts us. Salvario loosens his hold slowly, his smile fading into sadness. I move to the couch, dig my phone from my coat, and answer.
“Dad?” I keep my voice steady, casual.
“It’s past nine, Princess.”
“Okay. I’ll leave soon.”
I end the call and, in a grave mood, toss the phone onto the couch.
I turn to Salvario. He’s watching me, his face hard.
I walk to him and hug him. He wraps his arms tightly around me.
“Don’t go.” The plea is a whisper.
“I have to.” My voice is thick.
His hold tightens.
“I’ll come back tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow is too far away.”
I rub his back. “It’ll come quick.”
I pull back. “Let’s eat first.”
The sadness doesn’t leave his face.
I kiss him. “Don’t be so sad. It breaks my heart.”
He looks away and takes a deep breath.
I move away and pick up the plates, walking to the small dining table. He follows. I set them down. He sits, tugs my hand, and pulls me onto his lap.
“No one would believe you have haphephobia. You’re more clingy than I am.” I chuckle.
“I don’t like distance between us, Princess. If it were possible, I’d prefer you living inside me.” He says it with a straight face, picking up a sandwich from the plate.
He brings it to my lips. I part them and take a small bite.
I raise my brows, chewing. “It’s so good. You’re an amazing cook.”
“I just followed the recipe,” he mutters, offering me another bite.
I bite into it, then grab his hand and turn the sandwich toward his mouth. He takes a bite himself. I smile and press my lips to his for a small peck.
I just love the feel of his lips on mine. I only got to taste them today, and now all I want is to keep kissing him.
We finish dinner, feeding each other, stealing dozens of kisses.
“Where’s Rosie?” I ask him after setting the plates in the sink.
“In Bruno’s room.” He points to the open door.
I walk in and find Rosie sleeping in Bruno’s bed, and Bruno lying on the floor.
I turn to Salvario. “Did she eat?”
He nods. “While you slept.”
We walk into his room. I head to the couch for my clothes. He comes up behind me, takes them from my hand, and leads me to the bed.
He settles me onto it, sets the clothes aside, and unbuttons the top two buttons of the shirt I’m wearing. Then he pulls it up. I lift my arms, he slips it off. He pulls my sweatshirt over my head. I don’t wear bras in winter; I don’t have much volume anyway, and jackets hide everything.
“Lie down.”
I obey. He kneels on the floor and pulls me forward by the hips, parting my legs.
“Don’t you dare,” I whisper-yell. “I’m sore.”
His heated eyes fix on my center. “I can’t help it, Princess. It’s an unstoppable need.”
His hot tongue meets my sore flesh. I wince. He licks again. The wince turns into a moan. I cover my mouth to keep the sounds from reaching my phone outside.
This time, he doesn’t torture me with slow licks. He sucks on my clit instead.
Within a minute, I’m biting my hand and thrashing through an orgasm. He gives a few final, slow licks to my entrance before pulling away.
He helps me into my trousers while I lie there, immobile.
“Your panties are ruined,” he announces, standing tall.
I purse my twitching lips. He didn’t have to announce my horniness like that.
I get up on shaky legs.
“Monster.”
He smiles at that.
We leave his room. I put on my jacket and shoes, then go to Bruno’s room. Salvario lifts Rosie from Bruno’s bed and hands her to me.
His face hardens into that familiar stone mask again.
Bruno stands in front of me, alert. I bend down and kiss his head.
“See you tomorrow, baby.”
He looks at Salvario, then back at me. We walk out of the room. Bruno runs ahead and blocks the front door.
“He doesn’t want you to leave,” Salvario mutters.
My chin dimples as my lips form a sad pout. I don’t want to leave either.
“Bruno.” My voice is coaxing as I lower myself onto my heels before him, ruffling his fur. “I’ll come back tomorrow.”
Rosie licks his face; he growls.
I kiss his head. “Be a good boy and let me leave for now.”
He settles back on his haunches. I think this is his way of refusing.
I look up at Salvario. “Ask him to move.”
“Why would I?”
I turn back to Bruno.
“Please, Bruno.” I make a pleading face.
Rosie barks at him. He bares his teeth. She squirms from my arms and launches a baby attack—biting and clawing at his leg. Bruno lifts a paw but sets it down instantly.
I get up, chuckling. A hand wraps around my stomach, pulling me back against his chest.
He bends to my neck, kisses me there, then whispers in my ear, “Just stay here.”
“You know that’s not a good idea,” I whisper back sadly.
I need to go home—to see my father’s reaction to tonight’s sneaking out, to gauge how much he suspects. If I stay here, he’ll only grow more suspicious.
Rosie keeps barking at Bruno. When he barks back, she starts howling. Husky babies can sound just like crying human infants. Bruno whines and licks her small face.
Salvario moves away from me and stands beside Bruno. “Let’s go out.”
Bruno moves from the door instantly.
Salvario is tricking him.
Poor Bruno.
I bend down and pick up Rosie, then press kisses to Bruno’s head.
“I’m sorry, baby.”
Salvario opens the door, and we all step out. Three of my bodyguards are seated just outside the apartment.
We walk toward the elevator. My bodyguards and I step inside. Salvario crouches slowly beside Bruno, gripping his collar. His eyes lock onto mine—the longing in them pierces straight through me.
Bruno barks at him, then turns and barks at me as the elevator doors begin to close.
It would take a heart of steel not to break down when they both behave this way.
The doors slide shut, locking me away from them.