A dainty smile appeared. “My heart is glowing.”
I could barely swallow. She was right. She was absolutely glowing.
Her wonderful expression turned to worry as she moved her palm to my cheek. “Sal, does your heart hurt?”
Nuzzling into her palm, I lied. “No.”
Big blue eyes studied me. “Why would you lie to me?”
My mouth fell open.
More tears falling, she said, “Maybe you feel like I do. Unable to explain.”
Swallowing, I nodded. “I think so.”
“Will you lay with me?”
“Of course.”
After taking off my holster and resting it on the nightstand within easy reach, I lifted the blanket, but she waved me off with the hand I wasn’t holding. “No. No more stuffed shirt clothes when lying with me.”
“Are you sure?”
Tiredly, her eyes drifted shut. “Why would I ask for something I wouldn’t like?”
So simple. So raw. So honest.
Because so many do, Dove. As I unbuttoned my shirt, I thought of how many people do things to please others, completely disregarding what is actually best for them.
Her eyes drifted open. “No more suits.” They drifted shut. “Just you.”
Was she already sensing how much the Suits were going to upset her? How much they represented what Angelo and I were supposed to be? Hired help. Not lovers in her bed.
Angelo kissed her shoulder then smiled at me, her Giordano name far from his mind.
He was right. That family had no place in this bedroom or any bedroom we were going to share with Scarlett. Taking off every bit of clothing, I crawled into bed with the princess who didn’t even know what being a princess was.
Closing her eyes, she snuggled to my chest. “So much better.” She released a long sigh. “So warm. So warm.”
Within seconds, her breathing followed that sigh. Heavy exhales brushed across my bare skin. Her head curled in, made it so I could easily see Angelo watching me, both our heads resting on pillows. I didn’t say anything. I just watched his exhaustion and surrender take him under.
Staring at me, his eyes slowly shut…
Sleep well, my friend.
My own eyes slid shut.
Hours passed before I woke to a sound at Scarlett’s window. The blanket went flying as Angelo and I jumped out of the bed, both naked and grabbing our guns.
Guns aimed, I rushed to the window. Angelo rushed to the bedroom door. His father taught us to never be tricked by a noise. “One could be only to distract, so that your backs are exposed.” That is why the Suits were paired. We were to never leave each other’s back vulnerable.
“Anything?” whispered Angelo, half in the hallway.
On the ground outside the window was a broken branch from a large tree overhanging the home. “Fallen branch.”
His broad shoulders eased. His gun came down.
Now, both facing the bed again, we smiled at the sight. Scarlett was sleeping, naked, so relaxed on her back. Her arms were casually above her head, but apart and free. After witnessing many of her nightmares, it was a beautiful sight.
I picked up the blanket and went to cover her, but Angelo said, “No. Please, don’t cover that perfection.”
Pulling a sheet over myself as I lay back down, I said, “Then you better hurry back and hold her. If she wakes up cold, I will punch you.” I rolled to my side to face her and be close.
“I won’t let her get cold.” His eyes were full of sinister thoughts. I could almost read them.
“Oh shit, I know that look.” Angelo was hungry for a whole different kind of taste now. He crawled on the bed, his gold necklace dangling. “Angelo, do you think anyone has ever licked her pussy before?”
Halfway on the bed, he stopped. “Is it bad that I hope not?”
Sadly, there would not be many firsts for Scarlett when it came to sex. I hoped this would be one for Angelo’s sake. I hoped this would be a tender moment that she would only know with the man who would follow her into the afterlife, if God would permit it. “No. It is not bad.”
He prowled forward again. “Her responses will blow your mind. She is a lover that is an open book. She loves to be gently touched. I got to hold her through our first time making love. I need you to hold her through this.”
After making sure I was as close as could be because I was willing to hold her through anything, I ran my fingers through her hair. “Will it spook her to wake this way?”
Angelo stopped again, then smiled at me. “That,” his chin did a nod, “right there, tells me how perfect you are for me and her. Why she is so right to trust you, endlessly.” Sensually, he touched her inner thigh. In response, it fell open as Scarlett moved slightly. “She is wise to trust us both. You and I will never fail her.” As he moved closer to her, his fingers grazed her lower stomach. “With us close, her nightmares are fading. Let us replace them with pleasant dreams.” He lowered his body. “You have a heart of gold, Sal Rossi. Now, love her with it.”
My fingers gently touched her face, then down her shoulder, causing her to deeply inhale with ease. I whispered, “I do love you,” then took hold of her hand as I, too, surrendered to the beauty who was magically deepening the bond between two best friends.
I kissed her hand as Angelo placed a kiss on the sweet juncture between her gorgeous thighs.
Scarlett’s incredible eyes fluttered open to see me. She smiled through a faint whisper, “Sal.”
I kissed her forehead, then quietly asked, “Can we be with you?”
Full lips parted with a slight gasp, and then her already slightly swollen eyes watered. “That would mean so much to me.”
Her eyes filled with adoration when a kiss was placed to her inner thigh. Her smile deepened as she told me, “Angel.”
Damn. Like I said: Magical. She was utterly magical to us.
I held her hand to my cheek. “Yes, Angel.”
Her eyes suddenly widened. “Oh, that feels—” She peered down. “Was that your mouth?”
As if he knew he had her curiosity in the palm of his hand, he grinned and gave another swipe.
She almost hissed, but it sounded like hunger and hope intertwined. “Why are you kissing my pussy?”
Blink. Blink. It shouldn’t have been a shock that she knew this word, but it suddenly felt dirty because we instantly knew where she learned it.
When Angelo’s eyes closed, I knew he was thinking it, too. I knew where his mind had just gone. So, I gently told Dove, “Your, uh, pussy is a part of your body. It is a huge part of wonderful sex. Therefore, you can call it anything you want.”
Now, I had her full attention. “Really?”
“Absolutely. In fact, let’s give it its own name right now.”
Scarlett’s face made an O shape. I could practically see her mind spinning, but I could also see Angelo’s eyes reopen, and they were full of gratitude. Another ghost was being demolished. And another memory was being given to him.
“Eagle!”
Blink! Blink! “Eagle?”
Scarlett was elated. “Yes! Wings. Soar, like Angel made me last night.” She sighed as if so proud of herself. “My pussy is now an eagle, soaring through a beautiful blue sky.”
Silence. The room boomed with silence while Angelo and I stared at her.