"What's wrong?" Not noticing he had snuck up behind me I whirl around startled.
"Nothing." I mumble and go to walk away. He reaches around me, plucking the phone from my hands.
Pushing the buttons he demands, "what happened to your phone?"
Knowing he wont leave me alone till I tell him, I reply to him with what happened. "I will get you another one tomorrow."
"No it's okay. I have some money, I can get one. You don't need to waste your money. I'm the one who dropped it."
"Don't be ridiculous. I am getting you a phone Liliana. I don't care how much money it costs. Money is not an issue to me." Leaving no room for argument in his voice, I look down as I nod. He places a finger below my chin and tilts my head up to look at him.
"Are you okay? I'm sorry I had to leave you tonight. Something went wrong with a business deal and I had to take care of it." His gentle tone and concern throw me off.
"It's okay, I understand."
"Yes, but are you okay?" Biting my lip, I can feel my eyes start to glisten again. Trying hard not to let him see me crying, to see me weak. I try to look away. "Liliana." His voice dropping a tone or two deeper. Grabbing my chin again he forces it back to him. Seeing my eyes and tears sitting in them waiting to spill. He pulls me closer to him. Wrapping his arms around me, holding me.
Not understanding this change in character for him but not caring to dissect the meaning behind it right now. I lay my head against his chest as silent tears fall onto his shirt. He bends down and sweeps me up carrying me to the bed.
"What are you doing?" Popping my head up as I question.
"Taking you to bed, something tells me you could use some sleep. It's been a long day I'm sure." I don't argue as he lays me onto the bed pulling back the covers. Once he sets me down he walks away to the closet disappearing inside for a moment.
Coming back out, now wearing a pair of sweats similar to the ones he gave me and no shirt. Holy freaking mother of…my mind trails off. He has tattoos that snake along his right side. Starting from his pecs up to his shoulder and down his arm. There is also a single tattoo above his heart on the left side. Though I can't make out what it is, knowing it is probably his familia insignia. As he slides the shirt over his head I get one last peek at his perfect abs before his shirt drops over to his waist.
"Like what you see?" His voice thick as he raises an eyebrow at me. Blushing at being caught staring I look away.
Clearing my throat which now feels thick I admit, "I was admiring your tattoos." His only response is a smirk as he heads back towards the bed. Climbing in beside me the mattress dips at his weight. My body stills, not sure what to expect from this man, or what he expects from me as he rolls towards me.
"You can relax. I'm not going to steal your virtue." He starts in a gentle tone before it darkens, “not yet at least." He follows with a chuckle, clearly thinking he is humorous. He wraps an arm around the groove above my waist pulling me to him. My smaller body fitting perfectly against his hard, larger one. It feels nice. Comforting. Safe. My body relaxes into his and before I know it I am asleep.
Sunlight streams in from the window shining down on my face. I can feel its warmth heating my skin as it pulls me from my sleep. My mind slowly wakes from its hazy state. I feel a weight draped across my torso just under my chest, and I freeze. Taking a moment to recall my last twenty four hours, my memories return as my mind clears itself of sleep.
Now fully awake I'm acutely aware of the man laying beside me. Opening my eyes I peek over at him. He is still sleeping based on his soft rhythmic breathing and I take a moment to gaze at him. His features are relaxed, soft even, making me want to reach out and touch him. Trying to move softly I inch onto my side facing him. I can see his tattoos decorating his arm in a collage of black ink. Up close I can make out some of the images that I wasn't able to see last night from across the room. There is a skull with a sword drawn through the middle. Balancing on the top of the hilt is a balance scale sitting perfectly even. I can make out some words within the mass of black ink, Lealtà, rispetto, giudizio. Spaces are filled in with intricate designs and shapes not leaving a lot of skin bare. The last one I notice is one that is slightly covered by the sleeve of his shirt. I can tell it is beautiful even though I can't see the whole thing. She looks like an angel kneeling defeated on the ground. She is holding a tattered wrap to her body with her arms wrapped around herself. I can just start to see the bottom of her wings below his shirt. Wanting to see the
