“Baby, did I hurt you?” he asked.
She just shook her head and washed off quickly. She couldn’t speak. He could see something was bothering her, but allowed her a moment to compose herself.
“I’m just going to go get dressed,” she muttered, trying to pass him.
He tried to stop her, to find out why she looked so sad after the pleasure they just shared.
“Please Nikko. I just need a moment. You finish showering, and we will talk in a moment.”
“Okay, baby.” He reluctantly gave in. “I’ll be out in five. My brothers will be here in less than an hour, tops. Order breakfast if you want,” he suggested.
She nodded and he allowed her to pass.
***
When he emerged from the bathroom, she was dressed in a denim skirt, and tank top. The same one she wore when she was released into his custody from the jail in Tampa, and she was just getting off the phone.
“Breakfast ordered?” he asked as the towel he dried himself then wrapped around his torso slipped to the floor.
“Yes,” she murmured. She sat on the edge of the bed while he began to dress selecting items from the clothes in his open suitcase.
“Good. Now you want to tell me what is bothering you?” he questioned as he pulled on his slacks.
“Um,” she started. “I just feel bad because you keep saying . . .” She couldn’t finish her sentence. The tears started to fall.
Nikko interrupted. “I love you.”
She nodded.
“Baby, I’m sorry if it makes you feel uncomfortable. I’m new at this being in love thing. My first time and all,” he tried to tease her, and she smiled slightly. He approached her with his t-shirt in one hand. “I know you have a lot on your mind, and saying those words back to me, yes, I’ll admit I would love to hear them, but if you aren’t ready to say it yet, I’m okay with that. I suspect you feel a lot for me, but with your situation, I completely understand.”
Ronnie was dumbfounded. It was like he could read her mind, and the tears just came. The feelings and fears she had been trying to suppress for so long just came tumbling out. She nodded to let him know that was exactly what was bothering her, and he just pulled her into his arms, held her, and let her cry.
A few minutes later, her tears subsiding somewhat, he began to release her so they could finish their conversation. A loud thumping at the door interrupted their embrace.
“Honey, we’re home!” Gio’s voice boomed from outside the door while the incessant banging continued.
Giving Ronnie a chuck under the chin, he announced, “It seems the cavalry is here, babe. You ready for this?” he looked down into her puffy eyes.
“I’ll just go in the bathroom, and splash some cold water on my face,” she nodded as he hastily drew his t-shirt over his head.
He gave her a moment to get the door closed before he went to answer his brother’s persistent rapping.
“About time you answered, baby brother. I was beginning to think you went out for breakfast.” Nikko looked past Gio to see his other brothers were not with him.
“Where are Andreas, and Blaze?” he asked as Gio pushed his way into the room without an invite.
“Andreas is renting some rooms for us, and Blaze said he didn’t want to interrupt if you were . . . you know, but I’m always game for walking in on some love birds. Where is busty?” he asked loudly, making the gesture with his hands while plopping down on the unmade bed.
“I heard that. And, in here,” Ronnie announced, sarcasm dripping from behind the closed bathroom door.
“Oh shit,” Gio murmured softly, pretending to be embarrassed. Then more loudly, “Sorry ‘bout that.”
“No you aren’t,” Ronnie called back, not giving him a second to think. Gio laughed heartily.
“I like her,” he pronounced, giving Nikko his stamp of approval.
Then the bathroom door opened and Ronnie emerged. “Glad to hear it.” She gave him a shifty smile.
“Nice tank top,” he winked. Ronnie rolled her eyes. It was obvious Gio was the jokester in the family.
Nikko elbowed his brother not so affectionately, and Ronnie smirked at the duo. Gio just grabbed onto his brother and then wrestled his younger brother into an embarrassing headlock even though Nikko had a good four inches on him. Gio might not be as tall, but he was definitely more bulky in the muscle department, and Nikko had to struggle a bit to get out of it.
“Cut that shit out, now!” they all heard from the open door. It was Andreas who spoke in a voice that brokered no argument. He was flanked by Blaze who was smiling, but looked uncomfortable standing at the entrance to their room.