Page 98 of Whispers in the Dark
She takes one step to the side, but I draw my fingers into the curve of her shoulder, stopping her. Her eyes glance up, and that’s when I gently push her until her back presses against the mirror.
“Mauro—”
I shake my head, stepping back and drawing a deep breath.
It’s time to tell her.
The woman you saw me with was my ASL tutor, Lauren. We use a conference room at The Starlake Hotel because it’s five minutes down the road from where she and her husband live. But today was our last lesson. Honestly, I could have ended them a long time ago, but she uses the money to pay for her three daughters’ ballet classes. I haven’t had the heart to end them until now.I scratch the top of my head.Although I did leave her with a sizeable check today that would probably cover the cost of the damn school if she wanted to buy it.
Her brows knit tightly, a crease forming between them. “Wait a minute… She was your ASL tutor?”
I nod.
“You have a tutor?” Confusion threads through her voice. “I don’t… I don’t understand.”
I drag my fingers through my hair, the weight of the moment pressing down on my chest.I lied to you, Alina. And I’m sorry.I lift my gaze to hers.I asked you to teach me ASL because you wanted to contribute something to this marriage…and I thought it would keep you from finding out the truth if I slightly pretended not to know as much as I actually do.
She swallows hard. “The truth about what?”
Well, here goes nothing.
When I lost my voice, I refused to learn ASL because I didn’t want to burden my family. Every single member of my family had offered to learn the language, but I didn’t want them to have to relive the nightmare of the day that shattered our world. I couldn’t be the reminder of who we lost.I pause, the silence stretching between us. This confession might send her running, but she deserves to know.But years ago, when Ifound out you were taking ASL, I signed up for my first class, not telling a soul.
“Why?” she asks softly.
Because the only person I wanted to talk to was you, and I hoped… I hoped that someday I could talk to you. Just like this. Not with only one or two words, but with complete sentences. Complete thoughts. I wanted to ask you how your day was or tell you… Tell you how goddamn beautiful I think you are.
My admission, although silent, rings loud and clear between us, echoing against the walls. She stands frozen, her lips parted, her chest heaving with each breath she takes.
“Mauro…” Her voice wavers. She blinks rapidly, tears slipping free as she meets my gaze head-on. “I learned ASL for you.”
Her confession takes me aback, my heart thumping wildly beneath my rib cage.
For me?
She nods as tears stream steadily down her face. “I wanted to be able to talk to you in case you…ever wanted someone to talk to. I…” Her voice wavers. “I didn’t want you to feel alone.”
She didn’t want me to feel alone…
Something inside me gives.
I close the distance between us without thinking, my arms sliding around her as I press my lips to hers.
Her fingers curl into my shirt, her body pressing against mine. Molding against me like she’s always belonged right here.
A whimper flees from her lips as I deepen the kiss, a ravenous desperation clawing within me.
I pull away for a breath and look down at her, overcome with emotion.You learned it for me?
She nods, rolling in her bottom lip.
My lips crash back down to hers, needing her more than I’ve ever needed anything in my life.
She presses her palms to my chest, pushing back. “Wait,” she pants. “I’m sweaty and gross. I should shower first.”
To show that I don’t give one flying fuck, I lick a path up the column of her neck, stopping right below her lobe, where I press a soft kiss.
A shiver spreads over her, her body melting against the glass.
