by Missy Jane
“You need to leave,” he said to Marc.
Marc looked as if he might argue until Heather abruptly walked out the door. Then he immediately grabbed his shirt, shoes and belt and followed her. Sol walked out of the room to make certain they left and found Heather holding the front door open with Marc already walking through it. She looked at Sol and he noted the pain in her eyes. For a heartbeat he pitied her, but then he remembered that same pain in Darina’s eyes at Heather’s hand and felt a grim satisfaction.
Karma is a bitch.
“You’ll be expected back at work next week, Sol. Enjoy your vacation.”
He raised an eyebrow but said nothing as Heather followed Marc out the door, closing it quietly behind her.
He took a deep breath and ran his hands over his face, trying to calm his nerves before facing Darina. He locked the door and slowly walked back toward the bedroom. He couldn’t imagine what was going through her head right now, but the last thing he wanted was to scare her further.
I should’ve fucking hit him.
“Sol?”
He cringed at the wary, pain-filled voice coming from the bedroom, more whimper than anything. Her uncertainty had him rushing back to her side.
“I’m here. I’m here.”
He reached for her and she flung herself into his arms, nearly making him stagger as she gripped him tightly. He held her shaking body and sat on the bed, positioning her in his lap like a child as he cradled her to his chest. She was sobbing violently and it angered him all over again.
I should’ve fucking hit him repeatedly.
“Oh, kitten, don’t cry. I swear I’ll never let him near you again.”
“I’m s-sorry. I didn’t know he had a key. I swear I didn’t let him in, I swear—”
“Oh, baby, you think I blame you?” He pulled back just far enough to look into her tear-filled eyes as he lifted her chin with one hand. “I heard everything that son of a bitch said to you. I know exactly what happened and I swear I’m having your locks changed first thing in the morning.”
Her laugh turned into a sob and he pulled her back to his chest. He let her cry away her fear as he rubbed slow circles on her back with one hand, gripping her tightly with the other.
I’m never letting you go.
A few minutes later she’d calmed down enough to speak and relayed the whole story. From the moment she woke, to the moment Sol walked in, she repeated every second of her harrowing experience. He hated to make her relive it, but she seemed to need to, gripping his shirt in her small fists as she repeated the words Marc had said to her.
“Is it true? Did he really get you fired?” she asked, biting her lower lip in concern.
He ran a hand through her hair before wiping the last of her tears from her eyes. He leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips.
“Yes. When I arrived I was told to gather my belongings. But just before she left, Heather told me I still have a job.”
She let out a sigh and leaned into him.
“I’d never forgive myself for getting you fired.”
He laughed humorlessly. “It wasn’t you at all. It was all Marc. Luckily that dumbass is in too much trouble now to have time for either of us.”
“I hope.”
He kissed the top of her head and breathed her scent deep into his lungs. Relief filled him at arriving in time for Marc to do no more than scare her. Sol was pissed the asshole had even gotten into her loft.
“He didn’t hand over your key did he?”
Her startled expression answered for her.
“No, he didn’t. Oh my god, I just wasn’t even thinking about it there at the end.”
He hated the look of fear in her eyes. No way in hell would he let Marc hurt her.
“Pack a bag. You’re staying at my place for a few days until we can get the locks changed and find out what’s going on with him back at work.”
She looked surprised by the offer and perhaps a little uncertain. He tried not to worry. He would protect her no matter who tried to stop him…even Darina herself.
“Um, okay. Are you sure you don’t mind? I mean, I can get a hotel room or something. I don’t want to intrude.”
He gave her the look that comment deserved before his eyes were drawn to the tempting lip she held clamped between her teeth.
“I’ll be spending the entire weekend with you either way. It’s your call on which bed we sleep in.”
A faint smile finally lit her face and chased away the chill he’d felt since answering the phone to hear Marc’s voice.
“Okay, if you insist.”
“I most certainly do. I can come back tonight and change the locks, or do it first thing in the morning. Whatever you decide, I just want to make you happy.”
She sighed before leaning into his chest again.
“You do, Sol. You really do. This could’ve been one of the worst days of my life, but with you it’s going to be so much better.”
He wondered if she heard his heart racing beneath her head as he squeezed her tight. He felt so much for her. Now there was no way he would give her up without a fight.
Nothing will make me give you up…nothing.
Chapter Six
The next morning came too soon and Sol fought to wake from a dreamless sleep. Darina snuggled against his chest, rubbing her face over his heart as she slept. He smiled down at her and ran a hand through her soft hair. Anger still loomed in the back of his mind over Marc’s antics of the day before, but Sol pushed the memory away. It was the first Sunday of the month. Darina didn’t know it yet, but this was a very significant day in his family. Now all he had to do was convince her to meet them and pray they didn’t scare her away. He chuckled and she moaned in response.
“Sol?”
“Right here, kitten. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
She smiled up at him sleepily and lifted one bare shoulder in a lazy shrug.
“It’s okay. I shouldn’t spend all day in bed anyway.”
He rolled her under him and settled between her warm thighs. “Oh, I don’t know. I can think of a few really good reasons to spend the day in bed.”
She laughed and shook her head. “You’re insatiable.”
“When it comes to you, yes. But I know you’ve got to be sore about now.”
She shrugged again but didn’t deny it and he wanted to kick himself. They’d been fucking like bunnies all week and though he considered it before now, this was the first time he’d bothered to ask if she was sore.
“I’m sorry. I just didn’t think.”
Before she could respond, he was off the bed and walking into his bathroom. He started a warm bath and cursed under his breath for not thinking ahead. He didn’t have anything to add to the water to soothe her.
“Sol?”
“Yeah?”
She stepped tentatively into the bathroom naked, comfortable enough around him now to not even drag a sheet off the bed for cover. Warmth filled him at the realization until she spoke.
“Are you…angry at me?”
He looked up in surprise to see true concern on her face and cursed himself again.
“No, baby. I’m running a warm bath for you.”
He stood and pulled her into his arms, relieved when she allowed it without hesitation.
“Oh. I thought I heard you cussing.”
He chuckled and kissed her temple. “Just at myself. I’m an idiot for treating your body so harshly all week. I’m so sorry.”
A pretty flush filled her face, flowing over her breasts. “I’m okay. I didn’t mind.”
He kissed her on the lips, forcing himself to stop so she could step into the warm water.
“Perhaps, but I should’ve taken better care of you. Soak for a bit while I start breakfast. There’s something I want to do later today…if it’s okay with you.”
Her brows rose in question but she simply nodded and sank into the steaming water with a sigh.
I’m an idiot for
not taking better care of this precious gift.
Sol kissed the top of her head and left the bathroom, determined not to touch her again until her body had time to heal.
* * * * *
The enticing aroma of bacon and eggs met Darina as she stepped out of Sol’s bedroom. His apartment was smaller than her loft but she liked it. He’d chosen dark colors for the few pieces of furniture in the living room, and family photos covered every available surface. It was homey.
“Food’s ready when you are.”
She found Sol watching her from the kitchen doorway and smiled at him as she approached.
“It smells delicious.”
He smiled back, but it was nothing compared to his usual confident grin. Apprehension began to build in her chest but she fought to keep it from her face. Whatever the problem was, she would deal with it.
Is he tired of me already? That can’t be it.
He pulled a chair out for her and she kissed him lightly on the mouth before sitting. Surprise lit his features before a more relaxed smile replaced it. The look calmed her.
“You’re spoiling me, Sol. I’d never had a man cook for me before we met.”
He chuckled and sat down beside her so their knees touched.
“My mom would be very happy to hear that.”
She laughed until she looked up to see his serious expression. “Oh. Uh…what’s wrong?”
He cleared his throat and for the first time seemed to be at a loss for words. She pushed her plate away and folded her hands together on the table to fight the urge to reach for him.
“I, uh… I was hoping we could go over there tonight.”
Confusion settled in her mind as she thought back over the past few minutes of conversation.
“What? Where?”
Sol pushed his plate away as well, but then took her hands between his warm palms.
“I want you to meet my mom, Darina, my family. They get together every month on the first Sunday for dinner. That’s today.”
Her mouth went dry and every thought abruptly left her head. As if sensing her shock, Sol went on in a rush.
“If you don’t want to that’s fine. I mean, I know it might seem kind of sudden—”
The wariness in his gaze immediately roused her from her initial shock. She placed her fingers over his lips and smiled at him.
“Sol, I do want to meet your family.”
He smiled against her hand and his shoulders relaxed. She replaced her fingers with her mouth and he pulled her onto his lap for a scorching kiss. By the time they remembered their breakfast, it was cold as ice.
* * * * *
Darina smiled and tried to feign interest as one of Sol’s sisters explained the issues she was having with her child’s teacher. All the women in the kitchen seemed riveted by the child’s antics, but Darina couldn’t care less. She was a little annoyed at being relegated to the kitchen with the women, but had to admit it did make her feel accepted by them. Sol’s mother and sisters were easy to like. Quick to laughter and willing to hug a perfect stranger, they took her in like a long-lost cousin as soon as Sol introduced her. She’d smiled politely and tried to remain silent out of fear of saying the wrong thing. He had introduced her as his friend and kept his arm around her waist. She hadn’t protested and the women took that to heart. She was afraid they might start planning a wedding before dessert.
“Darina, honey, where did you meet my baby Sol?”
Darina startled at the sound of her name from Sol’s mother as the question interrupted her musings. She looked up to find every feminine eye on her.
“Oh, uh, we work in the same building, Mrs. Canova.”
She tried not to grimace at the squeaking sound of her voice, and prayed they couldn’t hear her nervousness.
“Oh? The building where he works security?”
This came from his sister, Hanna, a short woman with dark-brown hair. She resembled Sol more than the other two.
“Um, yes. I work there too. I’ve known him a few months.”
Sol’s three sisters shared a look Darina couldn’t decipher and his mother cleared her throat.
“Well, he seems to really like that job. What do you do there?”
“I manage the accounting department.”
The other women tittered over that as if it moved Darina a step up in their eyes. She looked around and realized they all appeared to be homemakers. She knew Sol’s mother did a lot of volunteer work and was supported by his brother who lived with her. One of his sisters was in her last year of high school but the other two were married.
“Well, that’s very interesting,” Hanna said.
“Yes, you must be a very smart girl,” Sol’s mother added.
Darina blushed and took a drink of iced tea.
“Mother, she’s a woman not a girl. And I want to know how serious you are about Sol.”
Darina turned to face Sol’s youngest sister, Korina. At five-five she was the tallest of the women in his family, and seemingly the most outspoken. She’d questioned Darina all through dinner about her family and background, asking for every little detail. Sol finally told her to mind her own business before playfully throwing a dinner roll at her.
“We just started…seeing each other. But I think he’s really great,” Darina replied.
She bit her lip nervously, hoping they hadn’t noticed her pause and filled in the blank correctly.
“Oh yeah, he is really great. He’s the greatest brother a girl could ever have and I’ll bet he’d make a great husband too.”
Darina choked on her tea and coughed into her hand just as Sol entered the kitchen. His eyes immediately settled on her and he was by her side in a heartbeat.
“Hey, you okay, sweetheart? Mom, what are you letting them do to her in here?”
He began rubbing one of his large, warm hands in circles on Darina’s back as she tried to breathe normally.
Oh my.
“Korina said the H word. She’ll be okay.”
Sol looked over at his oldest sister, Melina, sliding his arm around Darina’s waist and pulling her against his side.
“The H word?” he asked.
Darina nearly choked again at the confusion on his face and cleared her throat.
“It’s nothing. I’m fine.”
“Does she mean hell? ’Cause, honey, I know I’ve said worse around you.”
All of the women burst into laughter and Darina’s cheeks warmed. She laughed too, placing a hand on Sol’s chest without a thought. He settled his hand on hers and moved it over his heart. She noticed his mother watching from the corner of her eye and tried to pull her hand away. Sol frowned down at her and she instantly regretted the action.
“Really, what’s wrong? Do we need to leave?”
She opened her mouth, but no words came out. He’d shocked her. She couldn’t believe he would leave his family early just to make her feel better.
He really cares about me.
“No. I’m okay. I don’t want to go.”
He studied her intensely for another heartbeat before nodding in acceptance.
“Okay. So long as you’re sure. We can go whenever you want.”
She sighed as he lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. She felt the other women watching even as they spoke amongst themselves, but it didn’t bother her. Sol smiled at her and everything seemed right in her world.
How can I possibly give him up?
Sol felt his mom watching every move he made around Darina and wanted to laugh. He’d never brought a woman home for their monthly Sunday gatherings before, and the women in his family were having a field day. He didn’t know how much longer he had before they broke out the baby pictures, but he wanted to get Darina alone before they scared her away.
They’d moved from the kitchen to the living room and his two older sisters had gone home. Dinner had been superb as usual and contentment filled him as Darina sat beside him on his mother’s sofa. His brother, Hektor, sat
in what had been their father’s favorite recliner before he’d passed away, Sol’s baby sister on the floor at his feet. Their mother was telling Darina a story about Sol as a child and he watched the play of expressions on her lovely face. He couldn’t get enough of her. His chest tightened as he sat with his arm lying comfortably across her shoulders, her laugh tickling his ear.
This is what every Sunday should be like.
His contentment soon morphed into hunger and he knew it was time to take Darina home.
“We should go, Mom. It’s getting late.”
“Aww, Sol, don’t go yet. I didn’t get to tell Darina any embarrassing stories about you,” Korina whined.
“That’s exactly why we need to leave now.”
Everyone laughed and he shook his head as he rose from the sofa, tugging Darina up with him. His mother and sister hugged her before hugging him and he took it as a very good sign. He slapped his brother on the back and kissed his mom on the cheek.
“I’ll call you later, Mom. We’re heading out of town together so it might be a couple of days. Don’t worry, I’ll have my cell phone on me.”
Darina glanced at him with a questioning look, but he ignored it. All three of his family members wore similar expressions of curiosity, making him want to laugh. He just waved and ushered Darina toward the door. He guided her out with a hand on her lower back. He loved touching her every chance he got, and being at his mom’s house for most of the day had nearly killed him. Soon he’d be able to take her home and have her naked again. He broke out in a sweat just thinking about it.
Just a little longer.
They drove to his house in near silence. She made a few comments about his family, all positive, and he felt relieved by her acceptance of them. She never spoke of having family nearby and he’d refrained from prying, but now his curiosity got the better of him.
“Kitten?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you have anyone in the city? Any family?”
She turned away to look out the window and he thought she wasn’t going to answer. Then she cleared her throat and he heard her take a deep breath. He instantly regretted his question and opened his mouth to take it back when she spoke.