When Rosario opened the front door, I smiled at Chad. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Rosario helped me into the car he rented and threw my crutch in the backseat. I hadn’t sat in the front seat of a car without Chad since we left the hospital. I was quite nervous. As I gripped the seat, I stared at my feet.
Rosario clutched my hand. “You’re scared. Aren’t you?”
“I’m terrified of cars now,” I admitted. “I hope we don’t see any pickup trucks.”
“Close your eyes,” Rosario suggested. “Just pretend you’re somewhere else. It’s not that far.”
My eyes closed, and I tried to relax. I imagined Chad behind me with his hands on my very pregnant belly. Why I picked that image, I had no clue.
The car stopped short, and I screamed. Not again. Then I opened my eyes and found that everything was fine. Rosario’s arm was across my body protectively.
“Sorry. That guy cut me off. You’re OK,” Rosario assured me. He squeezed my hand. “You were smiling. What were you thinking of?”
I couldn’t tell him the truth. Instead, I said the first thing that came to mind. “I was thinking about college.”
“That was fun… mostly.” Rosario gave me a half-smile. “During my sophomore year, I was gonna ask you out. Chad told me he’d pulverized me if I got within ten feet of you. I ignored him, and he just about broke my jaw with the punch he landed. You were too hot to pass up, but I like my face intact.”
“And now I look like crap,” I stated flatly. “I got scars everywhere and look like a stick.”
“You’re way too hard on yourself,” Rosario scolded me. “You’re just as beautiful. Soon you’ll be back to yourself. Give it time.” He moved his hand to my thigh. “I still want you.”
My face instantly reddened. I imagined his body was much improved. From the glimpse I had the last time he was on leave, he was a sight to see. We stayed silent until he parked in front of his childhood home.
“Leave your crutch, I’m gonna carry you. Too many steps.” Rosario effortlessly lifted me out of the passenger seat. “Hold my neck.”
I held on as he walked up a short staircase that led to a walkway. Then he went up the other two sets of stairs before he stopped at the front door. He set me on my feet and fixed my jacket.
“She’s excited,” he explained. “Just let her fuss over you.” I nodded and held his arm as he opened the door. He supported me as I hopped up the small threshold.
The house smelled amazing as usual. Maria rushed to me right away and drew me into a hug. “I’m so happy you came.” Then she pulled back and smiled. “You’re healing quickly.” Her knuckles brushed my cheek. “He’s smiling down at you.”
My bottom lip trembled with those words. I faked a smile. “Thanks.”
“I’m making your favorite.” She cupped my face, tears in her eyes. “Baked ziti.” I was sure memories of Giovanni and I at Sunday dinner had come to her. “I’ll be back.” She went to the stove where she had garlic bread out. “Get off your feet. Your ankle needs to heal.”
“Do you need help?” I offered. “I can set the table or something. I have one good hand.”
She looked back at me. “No, Crystal. I’m fine. This helps me deal with losing my little boy.” A tear fell down her cheek. “I need to keep busy.”
Rosario sighed. “She’s been feeding me nonstop. If I gain weight, I’m gonna be pissed.”
I laughed quietly and let him guide me to the couch. After he put on the television, he put his arm around my shoulders. I felt his internal struggle. He put up a good front but the loss his brother devastated him. I glanced to the kitchen again. The house had spurned thoughts of Giovanni. I knew that would happen though. I still missed him, no matter how much I loved Chad. I absent-mindedly twirled the ring on my neck. The night he gave it to me ran though my mind. It brought tears to my eyes.
Rosario turned and pulled me closer. “I know, Crystal. I know.” He kissed my head. “This place brings back too many memories.”
I lay my head on his chest and clutched his shirt. “Yeah.” Soon enough, I sobbed. A flood of memories came to me, good and bad. When I got myself together, I looked up at him. “I still feel him slipping away.” I took in a shaky breath. “He died in my arms.”
“Wait.” Rosario palmed my cheek. “But Chad said he died in the emergency room.”
I sighed. “Chad’s trying to protect me. He didn’t want me to have to live with the truth. Giovanni stopped talking. Then he stopped moving. He hung on for me until he just couldn’t. I’m sorry.”
“For what?” He leaned his forehead on mine and kissed my nose. “You didn’t do anything.”
“He hung on for me,” I explained. “He was in so much pain.”
Rosario kissed my lips then pulled back. “I—I’m so sorry.” He closed his eyes for a few seconds. “Don’t tell my mom about that or about him being in pain. We told her he died instantly. She don’t need to know the truth.”
When he pulled away, I grabbed his hand. “You upset you kissed me?” His look of shame told me he was. “It’s fine. I get you’re confused and need comfort. So do I.”
He grabbed me and held me close. “Thanks. Sorry, though.”
“Dinner’s ready,” Maria called from the kitchen.
After she said a blessing over the food, their mom said, “I found the letter my Giovanni wrote to Rosario. I know he wants you to marry Chad and so do I.”
“Mom, don’t do this to her.” Rosario grabbed my hand.
She waved a hand at him. “Hush. I’m talking.” She turned to me. “He will make you very happy. My son would understand. When you’re ready, marry him.” Rosario tried to protest, but his mother stopped him. “She’s too young to be alone. They need each other. Let them be, if only for your brother.”
Rosario rolled his eyes when I glanced at him. Then he sighed. “You don’t have to move so fast.”
I nodded because I didn’t want to hurt him.
Chapter 36
When Rosario pulled into Chad’s driveway, his van hadn’t moved, but most of the lights were off inside. Chad wasn’t home. We checked every room. Then Rosario called him. It went straight to voicemail. Unsure what else to do, Rosario and I sat on the couch and watched a movie. It was nice to be close to him. He had an arm around my shoulders but didn’t attempt to grope me or make any crude comments. It was as if I saw him in a new light.
Just as another movie started, Rosario’s phone rang. I listened to him talk. “Where are you, Chad?” “Oh. When you getting back?” “What if she gets tired?” “One of each of them?” “I can’t do that. She’s my brother’s fiancée.” “I’m sorry, I know. I guess I just won’t look.” “Yeah I’ll see you later.”
As soon as he put the phone down, I looked up at him. “Where is he?”
“At work. The remote system went down or something. He started talking geek when he explained.” Rosario shrugged. “He’s gonna be real late. Gotta wait for parts or something. He asked me to stay and help you get ready for bed.”
“How’d he get there? His van’s here.”
Rosario looked away for a second. “He took Giovanni’s bike. He’s gotta make sure he can ride it before he takes you out on it. It’s not exactly like a dirt bike.” He turned back and touched my cheek. “Are you having flashbacks again or nightmares?”
“They came back after the accident,” I admitted. “I’ll be OK.”
He looked sad. “Chad said if you cry in your sleep or scream I should hold you.”
“He worries too much.” I studied his face intently. “You look so much like Giovanni. It’s almost like he’s here with me.” A tear fell down my cheek. His mother’s home made me miss him more.
“I’m sorry.” Rosario suddenly hugged me. “I see him every time I look in the mirror.” He shuddered and ran his fingers through my hair.
I shifted and lay my head on his chest. “I miss him so much.” My tears came faster.
Ros
ario gently rubbed my back. “I do too. It has to get better.” When I relaxed into his body, he patted my good shoulder. “I should get you to bed. You look exhausted.”
“OK.” I wasn’t ready to be alone but didn’t expect him to step in for Chad.
After he gave me my pills and held me up to brush my teeth, Rosario helped me strip down to my underwear. He knelt in front of me and pulled my pants over my cast slowly. When he looked up, I touched his face. “You guys have the same eyes.” It made me smile instead of cry. For a moment, I saw Giovanni in Rosario’s place.
“Your bruises’re almost gone.” He caressed my right hip. “Except this one. You must’ve hit the door handle or something.” His eyes raked over my body. “You’re still so beautiful—sorry.” He sighed and got up to a crouch. “I won’t look.”
He shut his eyes and quickly took my bra off. When he pulled my pajama top down, his fingers brushed over my breast. “Sorry.” His voice portrayed desire. “I’ll be inside.” As soon as I laid down, he quickly left the room.
I closed my eyes when the room started to spin a bit. Sleep started to come over me. Then an image of Giovanni all bloody jolted me awake. “Giovanni!”
“Hey. Hey.” I saw Giovanni. “Nightmare already?” He crawled into the bed and held me. “It’s OK.”
I used his body to turn to my side and lay my head on his chest. “I missed you,” I murmured into his shirt.
Since I didn’t realize that I was confused, I fought sleep as long as I could. It felt so real. I have him back. Slowly, I ran my hand over his shirt then his pants. When I found his half-hard cock, I rubbed it a few times, until it was stiff.
“Fuck.” He moaned. Then he gasped when I reached into his pants and grabbed his shaft. “Crystal, damn.”
Eyes half closed, I smiled. When I squeezed the head, I felt something hard. Something I didn’t remember being there before. When I forced my eyes open wider, I saw two piercings on the crown of his cock. When did Giovanni get dydoes? I grinned. How would those feel? The thought left me when a finger grazed my inner thigh.
“You gonna let me fuck you. Please?” He almost begged, as I stroked him base to tip. His fingers dipped into my pussy somehow. “I need my dick in here. I’m clean. I swear.”
My hips squirmed as he rubbed my clit as well. “I need you too.”
In seconds, my clothes were off. Lids heavier, I couldn’t make him out as he settled his hips between my thighs. Things were fuzzy mentally as well. Wait. Is this Giovanni or Rosario? Then I gasped when he thrust into me.
"Finally,” he whispered in my ear, as he drove in to the hilt. “Mmmm. Perfect.” He withdrew and rammed back in hard. “Scream for me.”
He kissed me then slid his tongue over mine. The tongue ring confused me. Then his cock piercing grazed my sweet spot, and I groaned. I clung to him. I didn’t care about anything but orgasm. My conflicted feelings and such were put aside. He pumped harder, and I cried out.
“Goddammit!” he growled in my ear, hips still for a few seconds.
My pussy clenched around him. That let me feel the jewelry within even more. He let it graze that sensitive place again and again, while my body trembled. I had never felt anything like it before. I wished he had gotten it sooner.
“You like them. Don’t you?” He gasped. “I tried to convince my brother to get one for you… the pussy.” He softly laughed then moaned loudly. “Scream my name. Like you did for my brother.”
Who’s he talking about? Why’d I take a sleeping pill? “Shut up and fuck me.”
“Oh I am fucking you.” He gave me a rough stroke. “Took me long enough but got this pussy now.”
He laid his body mostly on mine and held me as tightly as he dared. Gentle bites on my neck drove me wild. I lifted my hips and tried to make him get in deeper. He felt different. His rhythm was uneven, very unlike him. He pumped faster and groaned each time our hips met.
“Harder,” I begged.
As he breathed in my ear, he replied, “If you want.” He slammed his hips into mine. “That’s what you like, huh?” He did it again. “No wonder he hurt you. You asked for it? Didn’t you?” The roughness obviously turned him on even more.
I cried out. Incredible ecstasy washed over me. My nails dug into his biceps. Then he moved my good leg to his shoulder. I moaned with the next slower stroke.
“Ready for some wild shit?” He shifted his hips and seemed to be at a slight angle.
“Holy shit!” I shouted.
He fucked me hard again, but the sensations had changed completely, more powerful, continuous. My mind spun from pleasure and the medication. He used the piercings to overwhelm me. Then he slowed down out of nowhere.
I sighed as he slowly withdrew to the tip. The studs teased my opening. The head popped in and out of my canal. If I had more strength, I would have lifted up to him. He suddenly pulled out completely. His cock slid between my labia then over my clit. He used one hand to guide his dick and grazed my clit with a piercing.
“Wait till you feel this.”
With quick motions, he tortured me with pleasure. I had no idea a cock piercing could feel better than a tongue ring. I screamed, consumed by uncontrollable spasms. Then his body heat was gone. I was startled when his tongue lapped at my pussy. I tried to get a glimpse of him between my legs. He had never done that midway. When he rubbed his tongue ring over my clit, my eyes rolled back. Who cares? Eat me.
The next thing I knew, he was inside me again. His lips pressed to mine as he drove in and out of my pussy furiously. I held on, unable to do much else. Minutes may have passed before he said anything.
“Gonna cum in you,” he softly announced. “Fuck. So glad I didn’t have a condom.”
The words shocked me back to reality. Well almost. “No, Giovanni!” My mouth was against his shoulder. Only the “no” came out clearly.
He pulled out fast. A long burst of semen hit my belly. I looked up, unsure of who he was. Then he was gone. Was it a dream? I closed my eyes. The touch of a wet cloth forced my eyes open. He wiped the fluid off me.
“Sorry. I thought maybe you were on birth control.” Then he was gone again.
I started to drift off. When he dressed me, I was too tired to help.
“You’re about to pass out, huh?” He tugged my shorts up to my waist. “The last thing Chad needs to see is us naked.” He lay down next to me. “You OK?”
I snuggled against him and whispered, “Glad you came back.”
“Me too, but I wish it wasn’t because…” There was a hitch in his voice. “I can’t say it.” His body shuddered. “God, I miss him.”
I sighed and threw an arm and leg over him. Then I put my ear to his heart. You’re really here. “Giovanni, hold me like you used do.” When he didn’t move, I asked, “Don’t you still love me, Giovanni?” Then he put his arm around my back.
“Please… stop… saying… his name.” His voice was unsteady. “God, you must be delusional… and I fucked you? Shit. So sorry, bro. I’m an asshole.”
“I love you, Giovanni,” I whispered then touched his wet cheek. “Kiss me.”
Rosario kissed my forehead and sniffled. “I’m not my brother, Crystal. Please go to sleep.”
* * *
I woke up to my body being moved. The bed next to me was empty. I sleepily cried out, “Don’t leave me again.”
“It’s OK. I’m right here,” Chad said from somewhere close by. “She thought you were Giovanni. Didn’t she?”
Rosario replied, “Yeah… I fucked up…” His voice faded.
Soon, I was in Chad’s arms. “I missed you.” He kissed my lips softly. “I love you, my baby girl.”
Chapter 37
The next thing I knew, it was morning. Chad held me face-to-face. With a smile, I reached up and kissed his lips then whispered, “I love you.”
He pulled me closer and slid a hand under the back of my shorts. As he caressed my ass, I ran the fingers of my right hand over his bare back. My hand m
oved down. I bit my lip when I found bare skin. I glanced up. He was still asleep. Then suddenly, he kissed my lips. I reacted by parting his lips with my tongue and let out a moan. Desire gripped me instantly.
“I want you, baby,” he breathed in my ear, as he shoved my bottoms and panties down. They soon hit the floor.
He quickly rolled on top of me and drove his cock into my pussy. I was used to sex with him while he was asleep, although it had been quite a while. It didn’t bother me at first. He moved slowly and moaned softly in my ear. I clung to him and let out a sigh. His arms came around me while his hips pumped languidly. Somehow, he directed the head of his cock over my sweet spot with every stroke.
When my back arched a bit with pleasure, I automatically opened my legs wider. His moans got louder as he thrust in deeper. I cried out as quiet as I could when the spasms got stronger. Since Chris lived there, it made me slightly self-conscious.
Just as my body relaxed, I realized we forgot a condom again. I shook Chad. Dr. Walker’s words echoed in my mind. Frightened, I tried to pull my hips out from under his, but I couldn’t.
“Chad, wake up. I can’t get pregnant yet. Chad, please. My ankle. Remember?” He moved his hips faster and moaned loudly. He groaned and pressed his pelvis to mine. I panicked and tears, began to fall. “Chad, please! Not now. Please!”
He froze. “What’s wrong?” He glanced down, confused. “Did I hurt you?”
“No,” I cried out. “You wouldn’t stop.”
“Wait. What’d I do?”
I was irrational with panic. “You don’t have a condom on, and I was scared you weren’t gonna pull out in time. I want my ankle to get better. Please.”
Chad kissed me. His hair framed my face. “Baby, I’m sorry.” He pulled out with a groan. “I’d never want that.” He scooted down and held me close. “You know I can’t help it.”
“I know. There’s more at stake now than an unexpected pregnancy.”
He sighed. “I had a really long frustrating day yesterday. I’m sorry, but you know it happens more on nights like that.” He rolled us to our sides and kissed my lips softly. “It took me a long time to fall asleep. I mostly watched you sleep. If the new motherboard doesn’t keep the server stable, I gotta spend all day today at work again. I don’t want to leave unless I absolutely have to. Last night took too damn long.”
Dual Desires (Triple Threat Book 3) Page 31