Italian Coffee House [BWWM]

- C h a p t e r 11 -

At once, his hand gripped the back of my neck, pulling me headfirst into an assault, as his lips covered--no, consumed--mine capturing my breath and silencing me all at once. He closed the gap, standing between my thighs as my neck craned to increase his access and he nibbled against my bottom lip. 

Suddenly, he pulled away, allowing me to draw my first breath in minutes. He smiled triumphantly, and I couldn't explain why I felt fortunate that I was one of few he'd ever revealed it to, but I was. 

His calloused hands found mine, drawing both to him as he pulled me to stand, allowing my body to whisper against his solid frame before stepping away and leading me out into the hallway.

It had escaped me, once again, where we were when we shared our heated embrace. I realized now that the door had been opened wide all along, leaving only a little to the imagination. I lowered my head, suddenly embarrassed at our forwardness just as Niccolo pulled me to him at my waist as we walked the busy hallway. 

I felt like I was under a giant microscope. Worse, in a court of law being accused of wrongdoing. I felt his hand squeeze my side a little, prompting me to meet his gaze and I think for the first time really, I notice that they are a dazzling sapphire blue. 

Before long, we found ourselves outside the hospital at the ramp where the ambulance was patiently waiting. Only one door stood open, I realized as we drew nearer to the vehicle. Niccolo helped me inside and I near broke down at the sight of my papa. He was tucked neatly into a gurney with an EMT present beside him. I joined him, finding my papa's hand in euphoria. He smiled as he saw me and I began to tear up again.

"I love you, papa," I kissed his hand as Niccolo settled beside me. I was tempted to lay my head against his chest to make sure this was real but I resisted as the ambulance began underway.

"Stop crying, Dara," My papa said and I was happy to hear his voice though he should do less talking to conserve his energy.

"Ok, Papa," I kissed his palm once more before placing it gently beside him on the gurney. "Ok."

I leant against Niccolo's arm which lay stretched out behind me. He held me at the waist protectively and I could feel him staring at me. I didn't return his gaze as I was still angry with the manipulative bastard. 

He had no right to do what he'd done. Not yet, anyway. And what's new, he was already taking control where papa was concerned? Who did he think he was? I wasn't sure how he managed to get acquainted with my papa or warm him up to the idea that we were engaged to be married in the near future, but my papa seemed to like him. Not that I was sure because I'd never had the time to have a boyfriend, not that Niccolo was and not that I had many suitors, to begin with.

We rode in silence with only the mechanical sound of the engine and the tires crunching against the asphalt to fill the void.

I couldn't tell my papa that I was marrying Niccolo to take care of him, he would flip in an instant. Especially, after he found out how Niccolo got around to proposing in the first place.

Papa loved me too much to allow me to be used for his personal gain, even if his health were to deteriorate from the lack of treatment. That's also why I didn't tell him about my eating habits or lack thereof. I wanted what was best for him at all costs even if I had to starve myself to accomplish it. 

It was a while before my eyelids grew heavy. I leant into Niccolo for stability and he tightened his hold of me while I listened to the rhythm of his beating heart. I fell asleep to the sound moments later.

I jerked awake at the sound of a door being opened from the outside, my head knocking against something solid, causing me to yelp in pain.

"Ahia," I didn't know what it meant but it sounded like a cry of pain.