Page 38 of Fall
I run the back of my hand up my neck, and it stops at the spot Antonio devoured. My skin seems hotter there. I wouldn't doubt he left a mark on me.Setting down the phone, I walk into my bathroom and turn to one side to take a look. He marked me, all right. There's a round, red blotchy bruise on my neck, a few inches above my collarbone. It might as well be a bright neon sign.
Antonio was here.
Like a brand.
Like a claim on me.
Except he can’t lay a claim on me. Well, he has, but he’s not supposed to.
“Thatlooks pretty painful,” I hear Vinny’s words before I see his reflection in the mirror as he stands beyond the doorway, his face just inches above the very same mark.
“It’s not. And by the way… stalker much?”
“Why are you busting my balls this morning?” he asks, folding his arms over his broad chest. “It’s my job to watch your back… and your front. And that nasty little love biteon your neck.”
I roll my eyes at him in the mirror without replying.
“You might want to cover that up,” he adds.
“Ya think?” I shoot back, meeting his eyes in the mirror.
I should feel bad as I watch him grunt out an annoyed groan, making an about turn to head back to my outer bedroom door. I've not been very kind to him today. We're normally so much more relaxed whenhe's with me. But I'm the one who's flipped the script and am being a total bitch to my friend. I owe him too. If he didn't confirm what Father, Nonna, and Antonio have been keeping from me, I'd still be here, making assumptions, in the dark about the massive change that's about to take place in my life, like an ignorant, naive, stupid teenage girl.
“Sorry,” I say, hoping he hears me.
I’ll find a way to make it up to him after this is all over. At least I’ll have him with me, wherever this hell ride is headed. I’ve lost so much already, and the little I have left is about to slip through my fingers.
Antonio included.
And there’s nothing I can do about it.
"Fuck my life right now, " I groan, clearing my throat, and lean forward for a closer lookat the hickey. I try zipping up the velour and cashmere blend hoodie I have on, but it only hides one edge of the mark. Resorting to cosmetic tricks, I find the green concealer and foundation in my makeup kit and get to work at making the visible evidence of my indiscretion disappear. As I do, I can't help but wish for a product for the marks that Antonio left on my soul. Or the invisible muscle memoryI have of every spot where his skin, hands, mouth, teeth, tongue, and cock imprinted my body.
My thoughts wander again, reviving each forbidden act from last night like an X-rated highlight reel projecting into my brain. His mouth on mine, my fingernails gripping his bedsheets, his hands spreading my ass cheeks, his thick shaft drilling into my hole.
Fuck.
This is too much.
Setting down the makeup and cosmetic brush, I give my head a shake. With a flick of both hands at the sides of my neck, I throw the hooded fabric of my sweatshirt over my head, and pull the drawstrings tight on my way from the bathroom to my bed, and crawl back under the sheets. Nothing will bring my overactive, overly scattered thoughts in check, so I may as well shut out the disaster thatis my life.
