Page 223 of Ruins
My wife thinks she slipped away unnoticed, but the second she left my arms,I felt it. For a moment, I thought about following her, slipping into the tub behind her, pressing kisses down her back until she melted into me again. But then the lights went out, so I closed my eyes and listened to her scramble around the room and leave.
At first, I’m furious; ready to chase her down. But then I check the time. I’ve watched my wife long enough to know her habits. Right about now, she’s raiding her stash of snacks, one she foolishly thinks I don’t know about. I hear the hum of the elevator descending, either she called in down to her or she went upstairs to the library. I leave the warmth of our bed and head to use the bathroom.
I’m immediately hit with the scent of jasmine and a faint smile plays on my lips. The room is still warm from the steam that had filled it earlier, making me long for her even more. Begrudgingly I take care of business and then wash my hands. I glance at myself in the mirror and smirk at the sight of a slight hickey on my neck. My eyes focus on the counter before me, our toothbrushes side by side, her makeup scattered on the counter next to my razor and shaving cream, and not far away, a stray lock of her hair wound around my comb. She’s mine. In every way, in every moment.And fuck, I love it.
Tidied and freshened up, I decide to surprise her. I pull on some sweatpants and call up the elevator. As I descend there’s a sense of delight warming me from inside at the thought of seeing her. I had her in my arms minutes ago, but somehow, I miss her. The doors slide open and the sight that greets me as I step into the pantry is delightful beyond words: she’s sitting cross-legged on the pantry floor, a box full of snacks spread out before her and an open book resting on her knees. Her hair, which was a wild mess when we went to sleep, is now pulled back into a loose bun revealing the hickeys that litter her neck and shoulders and all I want to do is add more,mark herfor everyone to see.
She hears the elevator and looks up, eyes wide, caught mid-chew like a guilty little thief.My little thief.The look in her eyes is worth every moment of holding back my laughter. It’s pure panic but also adorably endearing.
Crossing my arms over my bare chest, I lean back against the elevator doors taking, in every detail of this sight because this—this right here—is a memory worth cherishing.
She swallows hard, then gasps, “Santo!” like I just caught her committing a crime. Her face is flushed as she stammers, “I thought you were asleep.”
I push myself off the door and stalk towards her, a smirk playing at my lips. “And I thought my wife was relaxing in the bath, not hiding in the pantry like a little gremlin,” I retort before crouching before her. Picking up a piece of chocolate, I hold it out to her.
“How about we share this stash?” I suggest, tracing her lower lip with the chocolate.
“Mystash,“ she corrects with a pout but doesn’t resist when I slip the chocolate between her lips.
As she takes a bite of the decadent treat, I lean closer to capture her lips with mine. My goddess indulges in chocolate like a fiend, and it shows on her fingers, nose, and lips, all coated in melted sweetness.
“How did you know about my secret stash?” she asks, closing her book and giving me a playful glare.
“Usually, you eat them in the kitchen in front of the camera,” I tease, “I’ve seen you slam back six snack cakes in a row. I don’t know where you put it all.”
“Hey now, I used to have to climb a million stairs before I had this elevator. I might just get fat now,” she playfully sticks her tongue out at me, “But you probably would enjoy that, wouldn’t you?”
“Enough teasing,” I say as I scoop her up from the floor, causing her to squeal and giggle in protest as she wraps her legs around me.
“Look at you,” I murmur, swiping my thumb over her bottom lip, stealing the chocolate she missed. “A complete, delicious mess. And now, I have to clean you up.”
“No, my book!” she whines, reaching out for it as I carry her towards the elevator.
“I’ll bring it with us,” I promise, picking up the book, but before I can take another step she squeals again. “My snacks!”
“They’re all over your face,” I chuckle, gently wiping away some of the chocolate smudges with my thumb.
“But I still need them,” she pouts, clinging onto me.
“Alright, alright,” I give in and grab a few more snack cakes for her before finally making it to the elevator doors.
As we ascend, she buries her face into the nape of my neck, and I’ve never felt more powerful or vulnerable than I do right now. I am holding my entire reason for existence in my arms and the thought of ever losing this feeling I have right now, is earth shattering. I had reserved myself to a life of bachelorhood, building my business and helping Angelo lead Cosa Nostra. I never believed there was more for me, but here she is in my arms.
The elevator doors open into our closet, but I don’t let her down until we make it into the bathroom. I set her snacks and book on the edge of the tub and wipe her face with a washcloth.
She hides her face against my chest, her cheeks flaming. I chuckle, my fingers nimble as they deftly unbutton my shirt off her body and let it pool around her feet. “Look at me,” I coax her gently, my fingers tugging lightly on her chin. She shakes her head in to my chest. “Please,” I whisper.
Slowly, she lifts her gaze to mine, a hint of uncertainty swirling in the depths of her eyes. “I love every fucking inch of you, and you know it. You’re perfect,” I reassure her, swooping down to capture her lips in a soft kiss. Her body relaxes against mine, any resistance fading away as I hoist her up once more
“Ready for your bath now?” I question, carrying her towards the large marble tub still filled with warm water and bubbles. Despite protests about ‘not needing help,’ she doesn’t resist when I lower her into the tub, a sigh escaping her as the warm water envelopes her body.
I stay on the edge of the tub, tracing idle patterns on her knee peeking out of the water while she feeds herself snack cakes. The sight is endearing enough that I can’t help but to tease, “You’re like a mermaid feasting on land food.”
“That makes you my pirate then?” she retorts with a giggle.
Leaning down, I captured her lips in a searing kiss. When we pull apart, her face is flushed, and her eyes are hazy with desire. “Oh, Dea, you have no idea what I’d do to you as your pirate,” I warn her before standing up.
Her breath hitches and I remove my sweats, her face blooms a soft pink as she lowers her gaze.
