Chapter Eighteen
The following morning,Fallon woke up refreshed and happy. Bitterness had stopped running through her veins since she’d finally opened up to Diablo. Telling him about her father pushing her off the roof was like an elephant had been lifted from her. She didn’t realize what a heavy burden she’d been carrying with her.
She glanced at Diablo as he slept and elation and desire swept through her, curling her toes.I love him. He’s my anchor, my salvation, my life. My one and only.Diablo had taken her out of existing and into living. Being in love felt unbelievable. She giggled and reached out to touch his beard. It was soft with just a hint of roughness. She loved it, but then, she loved everything about him.
Smiling, she rolled out of bed, careful not to wake him. Heading to the bathroom, she took a quick shower and washed up, then went over to his chest of drawers, took out another T-shirt, and slipped it over her head. The fabric was soft against her skin as it skimmed down her body. She inhaled deeply as Diablo’s fresh, clean scent surrounded her. How she loved his scent. She wished she could bottle it so she could smell it when he wasn’t around.
Shaking her head at her silliness, she picked up her phone and curled up in his recliner.
She opened her e-mails and covered her mouth to suppress a shout. There were two job offers: one at the library and one at the bookstore. As she reread the e-mails, she quietly clapped her hands. Since she’d met Diablo, her life had taken so many turns that her head was still spinning.
“I’m hoping our fucking from last night is the reason you have that big smile on your face.” Diablo’s voice, low and gravelly, stroked her senses like velvet.
“You always have the first smile on my face.” She went over to him and slid between the covers. The warmth of his body radiated from him and she cuddled close. His strong arm curled around her and her insides tingled from the scent, feel, and essence of him.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked.
“Best sleep I’ve had in a long time.” She hooked her arm around his chest.
“You up for looking at apartments? Muerto texted and said he had a few.”
Excitement skimmed up her spine. “I’d love to. I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“You know you can always stay with me,” he said gently.
She kissed his skin. “I know, but I want to try to do this on my own. But I want you to feel comfortable to come over whenever you want. I just have to be able to stand on my own two feet.”
“That’s cool. I get it. I’ll be over a lot, so I won’t worry so much about you when I’m not there.”
“You’re too sweet.” She sat up and kissed him on the lips, pushing her tongue into his mouth. They kissed and ran their hands over each other’s bodies until she pulled away and playfully smacked him on the chest. “Get moving. I want to see what Muerto has to offer.”
He laughed and rolled out of bed, shuffling away to the bathroom while she jumped up and got dressed.
They went downstairs to the kitchen, where a woman with heavily highlighted brown hair turned away from the stove and smiled broadly at them. “Diablo. You’ve been a stranger for a while.” The woman’s eyes darted to Fallon and then back to Diablo.
“Been keeping busy. This is Fallon.” He moved her in front of him. “And this is Lena. She’s the one who keeps us fed with all her fuckin’ good cooking.”
Fallon laughed and extended her hand. “I’ve tasted some of your dishes and they were delicious. It’s so nice to meet you.”
Lena nodded, scanning Fallon from head to foot and back up. “You two want some breakfast? I’m making eggs and bacon.”
“Sounds good to me. You good with that?” Diablo said. She nodded.
“Go on out and sit down. I’ll have one of the club girls bring it out.” Lena turned her back to them and opened the refrigerator door.
Diablo grasped her hand and they walked to the main room, securing a table closest to the door. A few minutes later, a pretty blonde with Daisy dukes and a tight tube top came over to the table with two dishes. She winked at Diablo and leaned down real low when she put his plate in front of him, then slid Fallon’s plate to her.
“Hey, handsome. You want some coffee and orange juice with your breakfast?” she asked softly.
“Coffee’s good.” He leaned over and put his arm around Fallon’s shoulders. “What do you want, sweet pea?”
She glanced at the woman, who stared coldly at her. “Coffee with cream.” She lifted her chin and threw a don’t-fuck-with-me stare. The woman snorted and sashayed away. Fallon had to admit she had one of the sexiest walks she’d ever seen, and by the way the other men watched her wiggling ass as she left the room, she knew they’d agree with her. “She’s got a killer walk. All the men in here are drooling, and they probably see her every day. She’s pretty too.”
“Ruby? Yeah, she’s popular around here.”
“Have you been with her?” She regretted the question the second she uttered it. Did she really want to know which club women he banged?
“A few years ago. Didn’t mean anything.” He shoved a forkful of eggs in his mouth.
