Page 16 of The Air You Breathe

“It was in the heat of the moment and after we….” I stopped because I felt heat creeping up my cheeks.

“Did he at least make you come?” Mary said with a curious face. “I hope he did because that is the least that man could do after he left you promising to be back, but didn’t keep that promise.”

“Mary!” I hid my face behind my hands. Of course, she would ask that. She had been trying to get me to date for years, saying a woman needed to get satisfied every so often because we fucking deserved it. The least a man could do for us was to give us orgasms.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” she said, smirking even though I was glaring at her. “Maybe you just needed to fuck him out of your system?”

“That did cross my mind, but I don’t think that is the case,” I admitted, hating that I was having this conversation with her.

“So, you haven’t talked since then or seen him?” she asked, looking pensive.

I shook my head. “He’s stopped by a few times at the house, but I pretended I wasn’t home. I think I’m done,” I said, feeling a little relieved. “I can’t keep thinking one day he’s going to come back to me, when I know he’s not.”

“You didn’t talk afterwards?” she asked. “You didn’t ask him what the hell was taking so long and why he just left you in the dark?”

I took a deep breath. “I freaked out, left him in the car as I ran into the house because I couldn’t believe we had sex.”

I couldn’t believe I demanded him to fuck me.

Mary smirked as she shook her head. “Darcy honey, you should have just said your peace.”

“I know,” I said, feeling ready to start letting go. “I don’t know why I slept with him but once it was over, I felt like there was no point in talking. We are both living separate lives, just like he wanted and I was tired of waiting for him.”

“I think it is time Darcy, I know you still love him, but I can guarantee he is different and so are you. Working for Lucio has definitely changed him. What your hopes and dreams used to be are different, and a life with him might not be as fulfilling as you thought it was going to be.” She walked up to me, extending her arms out, inviting me in for a hug.

I stepped into her embrace, and it felt like I had a weighted blanket on me, snuffing out all my anxiety with her warm touch and soothing fragrance. I audibly sighed, feeling better than I had since I slept with Evan.

“I love you Mary,” I said, pulling my arms out and embracing her with a tight squeeze.

“I love you too child,” I could hear the emotions in her voice. “Now I hear Dev is finishing the car today.”

“Yes ma’am,” I said, pulling away from her.

“Now that is a man I think you need to ride.” She smiled. “What do they say? Save some gas, ride a mechanic?”

I shook my head trying to hide my laugh but failed miserably.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said, taking another sip of my water.

“I’m sure you will.” She grinned, going back to prepping for tomorrow. I finished closing up my end before walking to the garage that wasn’t too far away.

As I got closer, I noticed the two front garage doors were opened, giving me a great view of Dev bent over, looking under the hood of a car. He had his overalls tied at his waist with no shirt on and my mouth dried up, the muscles on his back rippled as he moved. He shifted up to showcase his mouth-watering physique and he leaned against the car inspecting a part in his hand. He had black stains smeared on random places of his body, accentuating the muscle he had. Did this guy purposely paint it on his body?

“Do you need something?” A voice pulled me from drooling over Dev.

“Oh yeah, I was here to pick up a car,” I said, as I saw Dev out of the corner of my eye walking towards us.

“Jaime, she’s here for the Mercedes.” Dev’s rich voice almost felt like a caress. “I’ll take care of her.”

I bet you will.

I wanted to roll my eyes at myself. Apparently, Mary had rubbed off on me and here I was thinking about Dev doing nasty things to me.

“Ok, but don’t take too long, we need to finish that van soon,” Jaime said, walking away from us quickly.

“You got it, boss,” he said, not sparing a glance at Jaime. His focus was on me, and I liked it. “Come on Darcy, let's get your keys.”

He motioned me to follow him, as he walked into the front office. I got an amazing view of his muscular back and the huge tattoo of a symbol trailing down his spine. All the tattoos on his back mesmerized me and I craved to see what they meant or if they had any meaning at all, especially the one on his spine. It was beautiful.

---