Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 105734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
I linger as long as I can before turning off the water. The blood is gone, and I feel warm and refreshed. I haven’t yet faced up to the fact that I killed someone. Even someone as evil as Andretti still deserves to live. I had no right to take his life, but I also had no choice. If I hadn’t acted the way I did, both Frankie and I would be dead now. I did what I had to do.
I try to shut my brain off, but it’s impossible. Instead of looking for Marlena after I’m done with the shower, I wrap myself up in the towel and walk down the hall to Frankie’s bedroom. I’m not thinking clearly. I’m more like a robot at this point than a human being. I’m only going to the preprogrammed location where I spent the last night in this house. I’m so tired, I feel like I’m going to pass out along the way. But I make it to Frankie’s room, where I let myself in and climb into bed.
I think I can hear the shower in Frankie’s bathroom. That’s a good sound; it means I’m not alone. I curl up and grab his extra pillow to hug. I pull the covers up to my neck and burrow down in them. This is a nightmare. I’m exhausted but I don’t know if I can sleep. The nightmare echoes in my mind, all the bloody visuals thrust back at me as I lie there helplessly.
The shower in the bathroom cuts off, but I’m too numb to look around. I hear footsteps coming toward the bedroom and the sound of a door opening. There’s a pause, as if the person moving around has just noticed me. A moment later, I feel the comforting weight of Frankie’s body as he climbs into bed beside me.
CHAPTER 41
FRANKIE
Ifind Sofia cradled in my bed, and I’m happy she took the liberty. I’m pleased to welcome her into my space, and I hope this means the past is behind us. It’s been a long road to arrive at a place where we can both express our affection. I’m not sure if she’s interested in getting romantic, but I am.
I ease my way into bed, pulling the blanket back and sliding underneath. Sofia is wrapped in a towel that is damp. But it’s warm and soft, so I ignore the slight discomfort.
I pull her close, smoothing down her hair. I don’t want to take advantage of the situation, but I need her to know that I’m here for her. She doesn’t respond immediately, but a few minutes later, she arches her back against me. I interpret that as a good sign, clasping her gently in my arms.
I kiss her cheek softly. The way she’s spooning into me, I can’t help but find myself turned on. I want more. But we’ve been through a lot, and after the adrenaline crash, she needs to rest.
I’m almost beginning to think I’ll be satisfied with co-sleeping when she turns in my arms so that she’s facing me. I gaze down at her beautiful face and notice that some of the color is beginning to return to her cheeks. That’s a good sign. She was so pale after she shot Andretti that I thought she might faint.
“Thank you,” Sofia whispers.
“You don’t have to thank me,” I assure her.
“Without you…” she trails off, and I know where her mind is going.
I kiss her lips to tell her that she doesn’t need to worry about being alone anymore. I’m not going anywhere.
She stretches out on the bed, pressing her stomach to mine. I’m starting to get excited because it looks like I’m going to get everything I want. A moment later, that suspicion is confirmed when she places her hand on my elbow.
Our kiss deepens, and I know that this is just getting started. There’s no rush, and no desire to speed through this. We’ve only ever made love once before, and there is much to explore.
I slide one hand beneath her wet hair, touching the graceful curve of her neck. I continue kissing her gently, easing my way in. She glides her fingers up from my elbow to my shoulder, their touch barely a whisper over my flesh. Already it’s getting hot under the blanket, but I ignore my discomfort. There will be plenty of opportunities to thrust the covers off and fuck like there’s no tomorrow. Right now, I want to take things slow.
I release her lips and begin to kiss down her throat. She moans, rolling over onto her back to allow me better access. I follow her lead, closing my lips over her neck, loving the taste of her skin.
Sofia digs her fingers into my hair. Her chest arches toward me, still covered in its terrycloth shield. I decide that now’s the time for action, tossing the blanket away. I kiss her once more before pulling back to view my conquest. Even though she’s clearly been through a lot, she’s still gorgeous. She’s the woman I love, and nothing can take that away from me.