Chapter 22 | Alexis
Alexis
Iheaded home wearing a goofy perma-grin as I trailed through the back yard, clutching my coat against the cold. I was no longer a virgin, and damn, it had been worth the wait.
I’d had the opportunity to have sex in college with several guys over my three years there, but I’d always held back for some reason. None of them seemed to get me, and I’d wanted to wait until I found the right person who would make it special.
My grin deepened as I thought of how sweet Nick had been as we cuddled afterward.
Never would I have imagined the huge, tattooed mobster I met all those weeks ago—who infuriated me by destroying my phone—could be the same guy who held me so tenderly.
But they were one and the same, and I recognized that Nick had often been misunderstood in his life, as well.
We were both complex people with introvert tendencies and obstacles that made us seem different to others who didn’t take the time to get to know us. But with each other, there was a shared comprehension of what we both needed because we’d both been ostracized in similar ways.
I’d rarely felt comfortable with anyone besides Mom, and Nick was one of the only people I felt I could truly be myself with.
My trust in Michael was growing, and I liked him immensely, but my relationship with Nick was on another level.
Deep in my heart, I knew I’d waited for the exact right person to share my first time with, and I couldn’t wait to make love to him again.
I opened the back door and met a smiling Carmen, who was stirring sauce in a large pot.
“Hello, querida. Were you taking a walk out back?”
“Uh...yeah,” I said, glancing around the room. “Where are Mom and Leticia?”
“Leticia is watering the plants in the greenroom, and your mother is cleaning the new gun Michael bought her.”
“Super weird statement,” I said, wrinkling my nose. “If you’d told me my mom would be taking shooting lessons from Michael Caruso a year ago, I would’ve said you were insane.”
“And yet, here we are,” Carmen said in her slight Spanish lilt. “And how is Nick doing today?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Okay, I guess. I didn’t see him. I was just getting some fresh air in the back yard.”
“My darling, breathing fresh air does not muss your hair or make your lips swell like they’ve been kissed.” Her dark eyes sparkled as she stirred.
“Please don’t say anything,” I whispered, knowing I was busted. “We’re just starting to figure things out and I don’t want to ruin it.”
Carmen sauntered over and gently patted my cheek. “Your secret is safe with me, querida. Did he take care of you?”
“Yes,” I whispered, smiling like a huge dope. “I’m a goner, Carmen.”
“Good for you.” She tenderly squeezed my chin before returning to the sauce. “You both are introspective people who function in a world that doesn’t always fit you. I’m glad you found each other.”
“I was just thinking that.” Passing by her, I planted a kiss on her cheek. “And thank you. I promise we’ll tell Mom and Michael when we’re ready.”
“Enjoy the young love,” Carmen said, waving the spoon in the air. “My love was taken too early, and it’s a good reminder to embrace it when you have it.”
Carmen had married her husband when they were eighteen, and shortly thereafter, he’d been drafted to fight in Vietnam. She’d lost him there and never remarried, often claiming he was the love of her life and she would wait to be reunited with him.
“I know Luis is waiting for you,” I said, feeling a kinship with her now that I understood what it was like to be in love.
“Yes. I’m going to enjoy this lovely home that Michael has given me for a bit longer. I do love the expensive wine he allows me to drink as I cook dinner.”
Chuckling, I nodded. “It’s good stuff.”
“And when I’m ready, I’ll find Luis again. Just like you found Nick. I’ll shut up now so I don’t say anything too loudly. This house had lots of echoes that others can overhear.”
“Thank you. Can’t wait for dinner. You make the best spicy arrabbiata around.”
“Don’t forget it,” she said, her voice wafting after me as I headed toward my room.
Once upstairs, I took a shower, noting the soreness between my legs.
Nick was certainly endowed, and it had hurt when he’d first pushed inside me fully.
But once he’d begun moving, it had been incredible.
The way he’d stared into my eyes as he moved so deep within me had shattered every part of my soul.
And lord help me, I never wanted to piece it back together.
Once I was freshly showered and dressed, I headed downstairs to find my mom and Michael sitting at the dinner table. I sat beside Mom as Nick entered, and noticed her excited smile.
“You came to dinner,” she said as he lowered into the seat beside Michael. “I thought we’d scared you off.”
“I’ve just been busy since we got back,” Nick said, glancing over the plethora of food that Carmen had spread over the table. “This looks delicious.”
The four of us caught up as we ate. Nick’s gaze landed on me from time to time, and I felt myself blushing at the deep emotion—and the deep hunger—in his dark eyes.
We now shared a secret that no one else knew, save Carmen who I knew wouldn’t tell anyone.
We’d eventually have to come clean, but for now, it was nice to share something only with Nick in a world where I’d often had no one to share my secrets with.
After dinner, he rose and patted his stomach. “That was great, but I’m beat.”
“Are you heading to one of the clubs?” Michael asked.
“Not tonight. After monitoring everything for over a week, I’m not really sure I’m gathering any intel that’s useful.
I thought having my ear to the ground there would help, but I think it’s just making me exhausted.
I think my energy is better used getting a good night’s sleep so I can make sure I’m recharged for our early morning activities. ”
“Speaking of which, we need to be at the Elizabeth docks at five a.m. Meet me out front by four.”
“Will do. Good night, ladies,” he said, smiling at me and Mom. “It was nice to catch up with you both.”
“Good night,” I softly replied, feeling like an idiot when I felt my cheeks warming. Nick grinned at me, and I almost melted into the chair. God, I wanted to run to him and scream to the world that he was mine.
Once I was back upstairs, I plopped on the bed and texted him.
Alexis: Should I sneak over tonight?
Nick: Not tonight. I wasn’t lying about being exhausted. You tired me out, princess.
Biting my lip, I moved my thumbs over the keyboard.
Alexis: Tomorrow’s Friday. Maybe then?
Nick: I want to see you but we have to be careful. And you also deserve better than sneaking around.
Alexis: Eh, sneaking around is kind of fun.
Nick: Not forever. We need to figure out if this has any sort of future. Right now, I can’t see how it could, and that sucks, but we have to be practical.
I contemplated his words and understood his concern.
Diving head-on into a relationship with him would tie me to the mafia in all the ways I claimed to detest. For so long, I’d wanted out of this world.
And yet, the thought of staying with Nick by my side wasn’t nearly as bad as navigating it alone.
If he were with me, I could honestly contemplate staying.
Alexis: I’ll head over tomorrow night after everyone’s asleep. We can talk then. Cool?
Nick: Okay, but I don’t want to make sneaking around a regular thing. You deserve to be loved out in the open, Alexis. I won’t force you to hide. I don’t want that for you.
“God, I love this man,” I sighed, holding the phone to my chest as I closed my eyes. How could I have ever thought he was a heartless goon? In truth, he was one of the most thoughtful people I’d ever met.
Alexis: That means a lot. I don’t mind hiding you because I don’t want anyone else to see my man. No more Scarletts. You’re MINE.
Nick: LOL, there ARE none. I told you. Only you, princess.
Alexis: See you tomorrow. Dream of me.
Nick: That’s all I ever do anymore. Night, sweetheart.
Armed with the anticipation of sleeping in his arms, I rolled over and pulled the covers tight, imagining tomorrow was already here.