Page 38 of Whispers in the Dark
Mauro’s eyes widen, peering down at the bag with an arched brow.
An intense warm flush spreads over my entire body.
“I umm…”
If there were ever a moment in my life where I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole, this would be that moment.
“Well.” Joey and Elio look at each other nervously. “We’re going to head outside and make our rounds.” They hurry to the door, slamming it behind them. A thunderous silence fills the space between us, along with the ravenous vibration.
It could be my imagination, but in the one minute it’s been on, it seems to have only gotten louder. And possibly faster.
“It’s not what you think.” I roll in my bottom lip, dropping my hands, and stepping back. “You see…”
Mauro carefully unzips the bag, and the noise becomes tenfold. Reaching inside, he pauses, and then pulls out my bright pink Speed Bunny—my trusty vibrator.
Is it possible to die from embarrassment?
He examines the object for a few seconds before suddenly pressing down on the back side of it, shutting it off, and then looking directly at me.
The silence is almost suffocating.
I swallow hard, trying to mask my humiliation, but I’m failing miserably.
“Okay, maybe it was exactly what you were thinking,” I murmur. I cover my face with my hands. “Any chance you can just pretend this never happened?” I peek through my fingers, finding a slight grin appearing on his face. I drop my hands and shrug. “I guess it shouldn’t be embarrassing. I mean, I’m your wife after all, even if it’s fake. And since we won’t be”—I motion between us—“doing anything, well then it only makes sense that I should be prepared in case—” I see his eyes darkening and stop myself. Peering down at the floor, I take a deep breath and wrap my arms around myself. “Sorry, I ramble when I’m nervous.”
A moment passes before he carefully places the bag on the floor with the vibrator back inside. Then, with a gentle touch, hewraps his fingers around my chin, lifting my head until our eyes meet.
He opens his mouth, ready to either speak or mouth something, when the vibration of his phone interrupts us. Sighing, he steps back and pulls his phone out of his pocket. When he sees who it is, he answers it and puts it on speakerphone.
“We’re outside. Can you bring an extra shirt?” Vin’s deep voice asks him. “Alex spilled coffee on himself and is about to have a conniption.”
“No, I am not,” Alex responds. “But if I don’t soak it in—”
“Hurry, Mauro. I can’t take much more of this,” Leo complains right before Mauro ends the call.
I smile. “It sounds like they need you.”
Meeting.
I tuck my hair behind my ear, looking around. “Is it okay if I show myself around?”
Of course.His brows furrow together as he watches me, his hand reaching out to cup my cheek.Will you be okay?
“I’ll be fine,” I tell him. “I packed plenty of books to keep me company. Maybe when you get back, we can have our first ASL lesson? I’d love to see how much you know, so I have a better idea of where to begin with you.”
He frowns, pulls out his phone, and types,I won’t be home until late.
“Oh, of course.” My first night, and he won’t even be here. Disappointment passes through me. Internally, I shake my head.This is all pretend, I remind myself.Just pretend.
He types,Joey and Elio are your guards now. They’ll be swapping shifts, so you can let either of them know if you need anything. Also, your fingerprints have been added to the house’s security system, so you’ll have access to every room.
“Guards?” I raise a brow, suddenly anxious. My thoughts go directly to my father and how I’ll be able to visit him without Mauro knowing.
We’re married, which means we have to take certain precautions. Having a guard with you is necessary for your safety. They don’t have to go everywhere with you. I respect your privacy and know this will all be an adjustment, but I do expect them to go with you in areas that could be deemed dangerous.
I slowly nod, relief filling me that they don’t need to follow me around twenty-four-seven. The concept of having one isn’t new to me, seeing that I grew up here. I just haven’t had one in a while. “Maybe I’ll have one of them take me to the grocery store later so I can make a strawberry shortcake.” I shrug. “It’s my favorite, and I’m craving something sweet.”
Something that will calm my nerves about this whole thing.
