Adriano links our fingers as we walk toward the path, and I glance at all the garden lights and how magical everything looks while trying not to obsess over whether we’re going to have sex tonight.
“What are you thinking?” He asks when we walk past the pool.
“Ah… Just about how nice everyone is.”
“It looks like you get along with Yuki and Nina,” he mentions.
“I like them a lot. They said they’ll call to make plans for lunch.”
“That’s good to hear.” Adriano shuts the glass doors after we enter the house, and I begin to feel more nervous.
I rub my hands up and down my arms, then turning around, I walk toward the staircase. Hearing him behind me, it feels like he’s about to pounce at any moment, making shivers rush down my spine while my heartbeat speeds up and my stomach does crazy cartwheels.
Breathe. Just breathe.
When we enter our bedroom, I walk to the closet and ask, “Do you want to shower?”
“Sure.” Tingles rush through me from how low and deep his voice is.
I grab my usual pajamas, but Adriano’s chest presses into my back and his hand settles over mine. Lowering his head until I feel his breath ghost over my ear, his voice is pure sex. “No clothes. Not tonight.”
Sweet Jesus.
My abdomen tightens, and goosebumps erupt on my skin. Licking my lips nervously, I whisper, “Okay.”
Stepping out from between his body and the shelves, I walk to the bathroom, and shutting the door, I suck in deep breaths.
God, I have to shave!
I dart forward to switch on the faucets, and while the water warms, I quickly brush my teeth and tie my hair up so it won’t get wet.
Even though I hurry, I wash myself twice and make sure I shave everywhere. After I shut the faucets again, and I’m busy drying my body, my eyebrows lift as I realize something.
Do I walk out naked?
I shake my head, and grabbing my lotion, I put some on before I wrap a dry towel around my chest, tucking one corner into the top so it won’t come loose.
Taking a deep breath, I untie my hair and pull my brush through the strands.
Nervousness blends with anticipation, and stopping in front of the door, I suck in another deep breath before I open it.
Adriano looks up from where he’s sitting on the edge of the bed, and as his eyes slowly move over me, he rises to his feet.
Walking closer, I swallow hard on my nerves, my stomach a tense ball.
He grips my hip and presses a kiss to my shoulder, but then, without saying anything, he heads into the bathroom, leaving the door open.
Turning around, I watch as he unbuttons his shirt.
Does he want me to watch him?
Don’t mind if I do.
I try to act casual and lean my shoulder against the doorjamb, and as he shrugs the charcoal shirt off, I drink in the sight of the black ink all over his olive-toned skin.
“Do the tattoos mean anything?” I ask.
He nods and brushes his fingers over the devil. “This is for my father.” When he caresses the deer, my lips curve up. “And this one represents my mother. He always calls her his little deer.”
