“You’ve been waiting for me.” His voice came out half strangled, subdued by the emotions he felt.
I nodded.
“Mitch,” he said. “Grab my bag.”
As he pulled me along with him, toward Violet’s station wagon, we were met by more whistles and a few more remarks.
“Get’er, Fausti!”
“Take her to your castle, you sexy beast!”
“Station wagons were built for lovin’!”
He directed me in first, pointing to the very last seat, a bit impatient. Once we were in, he attacked me. He was all hungry lips and hands.
“Wait.” I kissed him once more. “Wait.”
“No.”
He went to kiss me again, and I pulled back with a laugh. I licked my lips, tasting chocolate.
I was saturated with sweat by this point, every fiber of the black dress clinging. I pulled the fabric from my body, trying to free myself, to feel some kind of cool breeze on my skin. It slapped back into place with a wetplap.
The smell of diesel and oil seemed to fill the interior of the car. Though the door was open, no breeze was present, so scents caught in the sticky heat.
“I…did you miss me?”
He gave me a mean look.
“All right, all right.” I laughed some more, wiping sweat and tears from my face. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
He narrowed his eyes. I could’ve sworn I heard his heart speed up. The increase hummed even harder in my blood. “Tell me.”
“Are you mad about the dress?”
“Not at this moment, no.” He looked me over, from top to bottom. “Maybe later.”
“Later is good. Two weeks later even better.”
“Scarlett.”
“I—I just wanted to tell you that I’ve never been prouder of anyone in my entire life than I am of you.”
The tension in his face relaxed, softened at once. His eyes seemed absorbed,almostwith innocence, so unlike him. He nodded once, swallowed hard, and I almost wanted to cry again, but I steadied my chin, staring him in the eye.
“It takes an iron heart and a man with steel guts to do what you do, Fausti. Not many men have the courage to do it, to submerge themselves in a world that doesn’t belong to them, at the mercy of man and nature. I wanted you to know how brave I think you are—how brave and honorable my husband is. Just like years ago, when you refused a full scholarship to watch over the honor of a girl who had the world, when you stayed behind to make sure she would be okay. You paid a fine price for me. You’re still paying. I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for that. I was so angry…about things. But I need to tell you all of these things now. I—I know I don’t tell you enough. You’re a damn hard worker and a mighty fine husband.”
Taking his hands in mine, I kissed every hard surface. I wiped the beads of sweat from his brow.
“I am so thankful for you—how you provide for me, in every way. You’re my hero, Brando.”
He cleared his throat. “You okay, then, with what I do?”
“It scares me, I’m not going to lie, but I have faith in you. I trust that you’ll guard my heart—you—” I poked him in the mentioned organ “—with your life. No unnecessary chances, Fausti.”
He grabbed my finger before I could take it back, pushing my entire hand against his heart. I was never more thankful for a beat.
“I hear you’re one of the best.” My smile stretched from cheek to cheek. “But I didn’t need to hear it, I already knew.”
