Page 71 of Paco
She took two more sips of water and switched off the lamp. He drew her to him and she cuddled close to him. Soon she heard his deep, steady breathing and knew he was asleep.
Tomorrow I have to call Mom.Her stomach twisted at the thought. She wanted to see her mother and sister desperately, but she was afraid that would be the end of her relationship with Paco.Relationship? Is that what we have? I don’t think so. I’m not sure how he feels about me. Can he just walk away from me? I know I’ll miss him terribly.
Sighing, she wrapped her arm tighter around him and closed her eyes.
***
The clash ofthunder woke Chelsea up. It was dark and raining outside, and she tucked the covers under her chin. She reached over and felt the warmth of Paco’s body, her nerves calming instantly. She was safe.
“Morning, beautiful,” he said in a sleepy voice.
She turned around and faced him, loving the tenderness that shone in his eyes. Sweeping his hair off his forehead, she smiled. “Your hair’s all messy.” He caught her hand and kissed it, then dipped his head and kissed her softly.
Another clap of thunder shook the windows. She jumped. “I hate thunderstorms.” She hugged his hand close to her as if it were a stuffed animal.
“I like them.” His hot breath warmed her face. “That’s how I met you.”
She snuggled his hand harder as she lay there letting the happiness soak into her skin. Just being near him lit her up inside, giving her a peace she had never really felt in her life. “Being here with you, lying next to you like this, is the favorite part of the day for me. I just want you to know that.”
The only sound in the room came from outside: raindrops pelleting the window, wind groaning through the trees, thunder crackling. She looked up at him through her lashes, and dread washed over her when she saw his clenched jaw and knitted brows.
I shouldn’t have shared that. Me and my fuckin’ big mouth!“I didn’t mean anything too emotional by what I said. I mean… like, I didn’t mean I love you or anything. It’s just that I feel safe, and I’m grateful for that. That’s all.”
But I do love you, Paco.
A blown-out sigh. “I’m glad you feel safe. You’ve got a lot of years to catch up on. You have to promise me that you’ll go to therapy when you go home.” He curled a few strands of her hair around his finger.
Shivers skated down her spine at the intimacy of his action. “I will.”
I don’t want to think of never seeing you again.
“Did you call your mom? We can leave in a couple of days. I just have to wait for Steel to get back.”
Two days is all the time we have left?A sliver of sadness pricked her.I wish Mom and Kate could come here and stay with me. I know that’s stupid, but I didn’t plan on falling for Paco.“I was going to call her this morning. I can’t wait to see her and my sister.”And I can’t.Swirling inside her was an emotional storm that had no ending in sight.
“Why don’t you give her a call while I’m washing up?” He kissed the top of her head.
“I was planning to.”
He swatted her backside. “Come on, lazy girl, it’s time to get on the phone. I have some business I need to discuss with Chains.” He rolled away and rose to his feet, and she watched his naked body walking to the bathroom. He looked over his shoulder and winked at her, then closed the door.
She sat up, picked up her cell phone, and went over to the window. The rain came down in sheets, bouncing off the asphalt and erasing the sun. She tapped in the number.
“Mom?”
“Chelsea. Thank God you called. I was so worried. You need to come home now.”
“I am. I’ll be there in three days. A friend is taking me.”
“I’ll wire you the money. Just get on a plane and come home.”
How could she explain to her mother that she needed Paco with her when she came home? She wasn’t the girl her family remembered. She’d be changed in ways no girl ever should be. Everything would be the same… except forher. Paco met her when she was broken. He understood about the demons, the memories, the pain. He had his own hell, betrayed love and innocent blood on his hands.
“I can’t take a plane. I don’t have any ID, Mom. I’ll be there in three days, I promise. I’ll call you when I’m on my way. Will Kate be home?”
“She already is. She can’t wait to see you. She’s out with friends right now.”
“Do you know these friends? You need to tell her to be careful. When we hang up, call her and make sure she’s okay. She doesn’t….” Her voice cracked.
