Page 36 of Vinny

Bodies slick with sweat, breaths harsh and panting, they lay euphoric in the aftermath. Minutes passed as conscious thought slowly returned.

Christ, how is she?,he thought leaning back to peer into her eyes. Terrified of seeing regret or worse, what he saw punched him in the chest. A smile that lit her face and sparkling eyes. A well-sated look on her face pleased him, but not in the way it always had. He wanted her to be as moved as he was.

“Babe?” he inquired, not knowing what he was even asking.

“I’m good, Vinny,” she replied looking down at his chest. Face flaming, she was embarrassed.

He lifted her chin with his fingers. “Oh no. You get outta your head, baby girl. That was the most amazing thing I have ever felt, but I gotta know you’re alright. Did I hurt you?”

“It kind of started out uncomfortable because I was so tense, but it got better.” Seeing the worried look on his face, she amended, “It got a lot better. Like really-good kind of better.”

He threw his head back laughing as he admitted, “I like that. Really-good kind of better.” Sobering, he touched her lips gently as he slowly withdrew from her. They both looked down and saw a slight smear of blood on the condom.

“Stay here, baby,” he ordered softly as he moved offof the bed. Once in the bathroom, he quickly disposed of the condom and wet a washcloth with warm water. Stalking back into the bedroom he knelt beside her, gently washing between her legs.

In the light of day her nudity seemed inappropriate, but she noticed his confidence as he swaggered naked from the bathroom and then took care of her.Confidence.Sucking in a deep breath as he gently cleaned her, she blushed beet red.

“I so want to appear sophisticated right now, but am failing miserably,” she blurted out.

Touching his lips to hers before sliding back in next to her and pulling her body flush against his. “Why sophisticated, babe? I never want you to be anything except exactly who you are.”

“It’s just this was…um…special…to me, that is.”

He cocked his head to the side, looking at her face for clues as to what she was talking about. “It was special for me too.” Her smile speared his heart and he cupped her jaw bringing her closer for another kiss, before tucking her tightly against his chest. “More than special,” he admitted, whispering into her hair.

Vinny cooked breakfast while Annalissa showered and prepared for the day. Throwing some bacon into the frying pan, he thought about what he was doing.Breakfast. I’m cooking breakfast for a woman I spent the entire night with. In my own bed.He grinnedas he stirred the scrambled eggs and popped thebagels into the toaster.Not just any woman…the woman.

His mind then wandered to the reason they were there. The morning afterglow left as soon as he mentioned that Todd, Gordon, Maurice, and her father had all called the evening before. He hated seeing the look on her face at the thought of having to face them.

“Babe,” he said, as she walked into the room, freshly showered and looking more beautiful than ever, “You don’t have to talk to or see anyone you don’t want to. Especially not without me around. In fact, now that I think about it, I don’t want you to see them without me.”

Her chin lifted slightly and he realized he had stepped on her toes. He started to open his mouth, when her hand came up in his face.

“Vinny, I’m perfectly capable of talking to my father and manager. And I’ve got to go see Maurice today. I’m sure he’s worried sick about me.”

He noted that she did not say that about her father. Standing with his legs apart and his hands on his hips, he glared down at her. “I didn’t say you weren’t capable. But for all we know, one of them is guilty and you’re not talking to them without me.”

This time her chin lifted even more as she held his glare. “I’m not cowering away from everyone I know and I’m just going to talk to them on the phone while you’re gone.”

He stood for a moment, not knowing what to say. Before he could ponder the situation any further, she stepped right up to him, placing her hand on his chest.

“I know we have to wonder who planted the drugs, but I refuse to be afraid of everyone. Let’s eat and then we can plan our day.”

He agreed but was going to make sure that someone was with her, whether she liked it or not.After all, she’s my responsibility even if she doesn’t get that yet!

After breakfast, he pulled her in close, her shampoo wafting in the air as he bent his head to hers. “Babe, I’m sorry. I’m kind of new at this, so you gotta cut me a break. I’ve got to go in for just a little while, but Jobe lives in this building and he’s going to stay around today in case you need something.”

She started to protest, but he kissed her silent. Taking the kiss deeper, it was long, hard, and wet. When she came up for air, her lips were swollen and her eyes were half shut.

“So you’ll stay here while I run to work?” he asked, still nuzzling her nose.

“Ummm,” she moaned, as his lips slid down to her neck. As he pulled back, she watched him walk away. “You won’t always win every argument just by kissing me, you know?”

He turned, his cocky grin spreading across his face. “I know, baby girl. But I’ve got a lot in my arsenal to use if the kisses don’t work.”

He ducked as she tossed a pillow at him just as he walked through the door. Smiling to herself, she walked over to look out his window. The city of Richmond with the river in the background was beautiful from this view. Turning, her gaze roamed around his apartment.What now?She sighed.Are we a couple? When do Igo back to my apartment?Finding no answer to her relationships questions, she walked over to the sofa and picked up the cell phone he had left for her to use.Time to get back to my life.

“Where are you and you’d better tell me that you’ve got Easnadh with you.”

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