Now Ori wasdesperate to get back to her life. She felt as if she could barely remember her home, her home with Maceo, their private hideaway. Too many people were in and out of her life here. She knew Maceo felt it too. She asked the doctor when she would be released, and they prevaricated until she thought she might break and yell at them. Ori knew her injuries would take months, years, to completely recover from but she was getting antsy. She asked Lucia to bring her some work, and although Maceo objected, she told him firmly that she was going to do it regardless. It made her feel as if things were settling back to normal.
She also missed Seth’s company. In a strange way, he felt like an older brother, a confidante, someone she could tell anything to. He emailed her from Montreal with funny stories and pictures, and Ori knew Maceo was grateful to his friend.
Three weeksafter she had transferred to the Venice clinic, the doctors gave her the good news; she could be discharged. Ori was overjoyed, and when Maceo came to pick her up, she threw herself into his arms.
“Now, don’t get carried away,” the doctor warned, grinning. “You’re still healing, so just take it easy.”
Ori rolled her eyes, but Maceo nodded, taking the doctor’s words seriously. Ori sighed. “Yes, but how long before we can …?.”
The doctor smothered a grin. “You’re good to, um, go—if you take things slowly.”
Maceo was still laughingas he drove her home. “You are insatiable.” Ori was grinning.
“I want to have sex with my husband; is that so bad?”
“Not bad, not bad at all,” Maceo winked at her.
The apartment did feel strange, but Ori couldn’t care less. She dragged Maceo into the bedroom and started to pull his clothes off. Maceo took her by the shoulders. ’We’re doing this slow, okay?”
She grumbled, but Maceo insisted, and to his credit, he made it one of the most sensual experiences of her life. Burying his face in her sex, his tongue lashing around her clit then plunging deep into her, he made sure she was entirely ready for him when his rock-hard cock plunged into her. Ori moaned happily as they began to make love slowly, Maceo being careful not to strain her tender muscles. They drove each other to orgasm and then collapsed happily.
“At last,” Ori breathed, and felt Maceo’s deep laugh rumble through his chest.
“I know what you mean.Bella, nothing will ever separate us again, I swear it.”
“Agreed. Agreed times infinity,” she smiled up at him. “I love you, Mr. Bartoli.”
“Ti amo,Ori,ti amo.”
Kate toldher employer that she was leaving and he nodded sadly. “I thought when you met Mr. Duarte that this might happen.
Kate looked upset. “I’m sorry, Gerry, but we just decided to live together in Buenos Aires. I’ve been scouting positions down there; it’s just easier for me to move than Lisander.”
“I know,” Gerry said with a smile, “and please don’t apologize for being happy. It’s too rare in this world.”
She told Lisander over dinner. “I will really miss Gerry and everyone.”
Lisander took her hand. “Don’t think I don’t appreciate the sacrifice you’re making. One day, I promise, the roles will be reversed.”
She smiled. “As long as I’m with you, I don’t care.”
They chatted casually about the logistics of moving her life down to Argentina then went to bed and made love. Afterward, Kate snuggled into his arms. “Did you speak to Alex?”
Lisander sighed. “He’s a mess. Netta told me he’s seeking help, but it’ll be a long road. Whether or not we’ll ever find who tried to kill Ori, I don’t know.”
Kate propped herself up on her elbow. “Did you check the website today?”
Lisander shook his head. “It’s gone,” Kate told him, and watched his eyes widen.
“Gone?”
“The police called me today. I’d put in a query about tracing it, but they told me they were unable to help because it’s gone. Wiped from the net, every trace. Funny that should happen just as Alex seeks help, don’t you think?”
Lisander was silent, but met her gaze. Kate could see the pain in his eyes, and she stroked his face.
“I’m sorry, my love. I know you didn’t want to think of him like that.”
Lisander closed his eyes and pulled her closer, and they held each other for the rest of the night.
