This was different.Erotic.I followed her lead, exploring her like it was our first time, indulging in every curve, letting her throaty moans guide me.“Yes, Clay,” she gasped out, falling forward, sending a curtain of chocolate-brown hair fanning out around my face.I pushed it aside, capturing her mouth in a deep, searching kiss while she continued fucking me as if her life depended on it.
I felt it all.The tightening of her muscles.The pounding of her heart against mine.The vibrations of every moan.Her nipples brushing mine.It all swirled together to create a complete, all-consuming release.
She let out a guttural cry before the familiar squeezing drew me deeper.I gave in, succumbing to the magic I had only ever created with her.Something bigger and truer than the physical alone.Something I wanted to lose myself in, which was dangerous.
Though at that moment, with Mira trembling in my arms and both of us trying to catch our breath, I had a tough time remembering what the danger was.
The ringing of her phone jolted her, making her whisper, “Oh God…” I released her reluctantly, waiting with bated breath to see who was calling.Don’t let it be the hospital.“It’s the hospital,” she groaned.
Sitting up with her, I rubbed her back for lack of anything better to do.If it were bad news, how could I help?
“Yes?”she murmured, eyes squeezed tightly shut, only to pop open again while she gasped.“What?He did?Yes, I will.I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
A cross between a laugh and a sob burst out of her before she ended the call and clutched the phone to her chest, beaming.“He’s awake.He’s awake and asked for me.”
16
MIRA
“He’s doing well today.”One of the nurses on the floor gave me a thumbs-up as I walked past the desk.They had moved him out of the ICU earlier in the week, which, of course, was a huge relief.He was getting better.It would take time, but he was moving in the right direction.
By now, they all knew me by sight.I liked to check in first thing in the morning then again before going home.“Cara Mia,you have so many more important things to think about.” He weakly protested.Always, I reminded him that he was the most important thing.
It was amazing, really, how everything could change in the blink of an eye.Just to see him sitting up in bed, watching the morning news, felt like a triumph.This from the man whose work ethic and nonstop drive had formed so many of my own habits.It was tough, remembering not to patronize him by fawning over something so simple.He hated that.
“Good morning,” I offered after knocking on the open door.“You’re looking great today.”
His face lit up, reminding me why I went out of my way to visit.“Mirabella.”He extended both hands and clasped mine tightly when I leaned down to kiss his cheek.“You know, you don’t need to check on your papa every morning.They are keeping me in one piece.”
He sounded so tired.I pretended not to notice as I took a seat.“I spoke to the team about getting you started with rehabilitation, but it will still be a couple of weeks until they think you’re strong enough for that.You get to extend your vacation a little longer.”
He rolled his eyes the way I knew he would.“Some vacation.I would much rather sit on the shore, in front of the water.Ideally, with a fishing pole in hand.”
“You’ll have plenty of time for that once you’re better.You’re going to take it easy from now on if I have to strap you down to a bed and force you to rest.”
As usual, I could only hold his attention for so long before the topic of conversation shifted to its normal setting.“How are things at work?Everything still going smoothly?”
“You mean since you asked me last night?”I folded my arms and gave him a stern look.“Papa, I’m starting to believe you don’t trust me.”
“No, of course, it has nothing to do with trust.”When I only watched and waited for more, he sighed and pushed aside the table positioned over his lap.He turned down the volume on the television then set the remote aside.“You don’t devote forty years of your life to a dream, then simply step aside and wash your hands of the whole thing.With time, it will be easier for me to step back and leave it up to you.”
I saw what he meant.It was childish to take his questions personally.“Everything is great.Clay has a knack for the business.He understands publicity and how to work the media.He’s a real asset.”
When his faint, paternal smile widened, I knew exactly what he was thinking and tried to brace myself for the inevitable.“And what about the two of you?Are you getting along well?”
Very well.I bit the inside of my cheek, fighting to keep a straight face and give him a serious answer.“We’re getting along better than I expected at first.When we’re talking about work, everything‘s great.Professionally, we’re a good match.”
“And personally?”
A flush crept up over my neck and started flooding my cheeks.“Papa, you’re embarrassing me a little.”
“Forgive me,” he relented with a gentle sigh.“That’s not my intention.It’s only that I know how it is, learning about each other after you have already been married.”
“In theory, of course,” I added, waiting for his agreement.It never came.“Papa?What are you telling me?”
“It’s something I never shared with you.Perhaps I should have.It might have made everything easier for you.”His sigh was weak, fatigued.“I’ve made awkward mistakes, trust me.I always had the best intentions.”
“I believe you,” I said without taking time to think.Not that I needed to.I believed him.
