Page 32 of Spark

“Aurelio!” she exclaimed, laughing.

“Bye, beautiful.”

The phone clicked, his laugh still ringing in her ears, filling her heart. She sighed, removing her panties and bra, and pulling on a night shirt and shorts. She finished her nightly ritual, but the whole time, her mind was elsewhere, on someone else. Her phone chimed, and she practically ran to retrieve it, flipping off the lights as she went. The message was an image. And pictures truly were worth a thousand words.

Chapter Seventeen

Mia did exactly what Aurelio had asked, letting her body collapse into her bed. As soon as her head had hit the pillow, she was dead to the world. As she dreamed, the pictures of Aurelio rolled through her mind. She found herself back at the park, the sun setting over the ocean in front of her, her hair blowing gently in the breeze. As she watched the sunset, she felt hands wrap around her waist, strong and comforting. She smelled him before her eyes turned to meet his; the warmth there melted her heart. She felt his hands begin to roam her body as the sunset faded and stars emerged above them. She twisted her body around in his arms, her lips finding his. The kiss had caused an explosion in her mind, the lights around her glowing brighter and brighter. She felt the heat of his desire mixing with her own. Her dream-Aurelio moaned her name, letting his mouth wonder her body as they floated together.

Mia awoke with sweat on her brow, her legs and body tingling from the phantom feeling of his rough hands caressing her. The sun was rising, and her alarm blared on her phone. Heaving a large sigh that her dreams with Aurelio were interrupted, Mia climbed out of bed. The heater in her loft kicked to life as she stretched and walked to the bathroom. Sheglanced at her phone; a new message from Aurelio blinked at her. A hand ran through her messy hair as she swiped the screen.

Aurelio:Good morning, beautiful. I hope you got some rest. You were running through my mind all night.

Mia smiled at the photo he sent the night before; he was working on his car, shirtless with grease on his face. The little dark hairs of his happy trail were visible just above his pants. Her heart skipped a beat. The thing she loved most about the image was his smile. It was wide, real, and happy.

Mia:Mornin’, you also dominated my dreams.??

She washed her hands, staring at her face in the mirror. The bruise on her forehead was large, purple and blue in the center, with an ugly yellow border.

“Ugh, eww,” she said, touching it gingerly. “Great.”

Mia went to the fridge for a quick breakfast. She grabbed a plump, delicious plum and rubbed it on her shirt, a habit from her dad. Biting into the juicy fruit, she made quick work of her morning procedure. As a respected student, she had a certain reputation to uphold so, she went with a semi-casual professional look. She had three classes to attend, one of which she was T.A for, and then a shift at the diner from three-thirty to close. Her day off had been full of enough activity for a month, but she had to focus and get back to reality. Her phone chimed.

Aurelio:Ooo, dominated, huh? Did you like it???

Mia:You could say that… At least my body did…

Aurelio:This is the best good morning text I have ever had. Please text me every day!

Mia let out a chuckle. Her hair fell over her shoulders as she carefully twisted up half, pinning it out of her face. She opted for light makeup, covering the bruise as best she could.

Aurelio:What are you up to?

Mia:School till three, then a shift at the diner.

Aurelio:I have a confession. I know Mac.

Mia drew in a breath, her brain making the connection instantly.

Mia: Aurelio! You have been making that poor kid stay late and help me close?!

Heat rushed into her cheeks as she realized, her eyes closing as she pinched the bridge of her nose. Of course he knew Mac, the mysterious other job.

Aurelio:He is like my little brother. Don’t be mad, please.

Mia: I don’t know if im mad or not. Its been nice having him there. But…

Aurelio: But?

Mia: You crossed a line. But I am glad you told me.

Mia paused. She was mad, this felt like a violation of her space, but she could understand why. He was worried about her, he had expressed concern when she ahd told him she locked up alone many nights.

Aurelio:Would you be okay if I stopped by sometime?

Mia smiled.

Mia: Of course. Have you ever eaten there?

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