Page 59 of Always Be True: Tino
Chapter 16
Tino struggled to fill his lungs right now. It was as if the air in the bedroom had somehow grown thin. Considering how hot the sex had been, maybe they had burned up the entire supply of oxygen. His conscience whispered he should have used greater care with Natalie, but he couldn’t find it in him to regret a single second of the amazing roller-coaster ride they’d just been on.
Now they lay spooned together, still half-dressed and completely sated. Tino kissed the back of Natalie’s neck and breathed in the sweet scent of her skin. “Are you okay?”
She twisted to meet his gaze over her shoulder and greeted him with a siren’s smile. “Somehow ‘okay’ doesn’t do justice to how I feel right now.”
He tugged on the sleeve of her dress. “Considering we’re both still pretty much dressed, I suspect I rushed things a bit.”
Her answering laugh was a purr of pure satisfaction. “Do you hear me complaining?”
Well, no, he didn’t, but she couldn’t be comfortable with her dress all twisted up like that. For his part, he wouldn’t be surprised to learn he’d damaged his trousers and shirt in his rush to the finish line. All things considered, it was worth it.
Before retrieving the blankets they’d kicked to the floor, he decided to strip them both down to the bare skin for comfort’s sake. Okay, that was only partly true. His body was already stirring back to life and getting skin to skin with his woman was the perfect way to jump-start that process. Not that he wanted to rush the moment again.
He slowly lowered the zipper on the back of her dress and kissed each inch of skin that he revealed. Natalie curled forward, giving him better access even as she asked, “What are you up to now?”
“If you have to ask, I must be doing something wrong.”
“Must be.”
After nipping her on the shoulder as a small punishment for that remark, he set about ridding Natalie of the rest of her clothing. When he reached for the buttons on his own shirt, she brushed his hands aside to handle that task herself. When they were both satisfyingly naked, he pulled up the blankets to cover them both.
For a few precious moments, he soaked in the gentle warmth of the woman tucked in beside him, her head on his shoulder and the soft tumble of her hair scattered across his skin. This was peace, but it wouldn’t last. Already memories of the evening’s events were pushing back to the forefront of his mind.
Sure, there had been good moments scattered in among the dark ones, starting with the dances he’d shared with Natalie and even with her mother. Out on the dance floor, he’d fit in, had even been admired by at least the female half of the crowd. He’d also enjoyed the brief connection with the former marine and his wife. At least they had valued Tino’s service to the country and didn’t look down on him because he didn’t have a degree.
But overshadowing those few bits of brightness were the confrontations with the Humboldts, and most especially Benton. That man was a complete ass and obnoxious as hell. He’d made a fool of himself, but Tino had no doubt Benton’s behavior would be forgiven by his friends and family. It wouldn’t even come as much of a surprise if some folks felt he’d been the one who’d been wronged. After all, not only had Natalie dumped the man, but she’d brought the interloper into their midst.
“What’s going on in that head of yours right now? Considering how tightly you’re squeezing me, it can’t be good.”
He forced the muscles in his arm to relax and pressed a kiss on her forehead. “Sorry about that.”
“Is everything okay?”
Yes…and no. He went with the obvious lie. “Yes.”
Her pretty blue eyes stared up at him full of doubt. “Really? You’re not still upset about Benton’s behavior, are you?”
His anger came boiling out. “Hell yes, I’m upset that he disrespected you, Natalie. He actually accused us of cheating on him behind his back. I can’t tell you how close I came to teaching him some better manners with my fists. He may not know a damn thing about me, but he should damn well know you better than that.”
He wasn’t sure what reaction he expected to that little factoid, but it sure wasn’t having Natalie sliding up to settle her body over his. The sight of her sweet breasts was a definite distraction when she sat up and captured his face between the palms of her hands.
“Just so you know, that is exactly why I’m here with you and not him. You’ve known me a fraction of the time he has, and yet you see the real me. He only wants to see the person he wants to think I am or, more likely, the person he hopes can help further his political ambitions.”
All of that was good, but he had to wonder if she saw the real Tino Gianelli or only the one he pretended to be, hoping to fit into her world and her life. How could he ever know or even ask the question? Before he could figure out the right answer, he realized she was still talking. He’d missed part of what she’d said, but clearly she hadn’t noticed. Her siren smile remained firmly in place framed beautifully by those amazing dimples. “So, Tino Gianelli, I’m about to rock your world.”
And damned if she didn’t do exactly that.
—
Tino added two more pancakes onto the stack he already had warming in the oven and poured the last of the batter into the skillet. He had no idea how many Natalie could eat but figured they’d both worked up quite an appetite during the night.
The shower had shut off a little while ago, so she should be joining him any minute. The thought no sooner crossed his mind when he heard her coming down the hall toward the kitchen. He flipped the pancakes and then greeted her with a quick kiss and a cup of hot coffee.
Natalie paused in the doorway to sniff the air. “Wow, fresh coffee, homemade pancakes, and a handsome man in my kitchen! The perfect start to the morning. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Nope, just have a seat. Everything is ready to go.”
