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Chapter 26
I woke up feeling like the world was my oyster, or maybe my boston cream since I don't really like oysters. Although, oysters are an aphrodisiac – maybe I should give Ric some…Hell, what am I thinking? Ric and I need un-aphrodisiacs! Damn Hungarian hormones, it's not my fault, hmm, wonder what Ric's excuse is…
'I'm a Manoso.' Ric said from beside me.
'Huh?' eloquent, as always.
'That's my excuse – I'm a Manoso. And before you ask, you muttered something about Hungarian hormones and Ric's excuse, and I put two and two together and figured you were thinking about our sex drives. No Esp involved.'
'Huh.' I repeated.
Ric laughed warmly and wrapped his arms around me. Which is when I noticed that my man was still naked. Normally this wouldn't be all that surprising, but the bedroom was flooded with light, so it must be way past Ric's wake up call.
'Huh?' I asked. I shouldn't be allowed to communicate before coffee intake, I sound like a Neanderthal.
I could feel the laughter vibrating through Ric, 'I've got the day off. See I'm pretty tight with the boss, and he said I've been working real hard these past few years and it was time he gave me some time off.'
'That was nice of him.'
'Yeah, the boss is a real nice guy.'
I laughed and twisted in his arms so I was facing him. 'So, Rico, what did you want to do with your spare time?'
His gorgeous eyes met mine, 'I've got a few ideas,' he said, and then his soft, firm, lips pressed against mine and I lost myself in his kiss.
A few hours later I stretched languidly. 'So…it's because you a Manoso.'
'Yeah, we're all sex fiends. I've got a family reputation to uphold.'
I giggled, 'you uphold things pretty well.' I said, glancing towards his manhood.
He grinned, 'Manoso men never have a problem getting certain things up, it's keeping them down that's the problem.'
I dragged my gaze down his magnificently naked body, before resting my eyes on his stirring loins. 'Evidently.' I said.
'Wiseass.' He muttered, and reached for me again.
I was pulled out of my state of post coital bliss by the shrill ringing of Ric cell.
Ric reluctantly picked it up off the side table. 'Fuck,' Ric swore as he checked the caller ID. 'They're not supposed to call unless it's an emergency.' He sighed and answered the phone with his traditional, 'Yo.'
The conversation was short, but – judging by the grimace on Ric's face – it wasn't sweet.
Damn.
As he disconnected, he turned to me, and his expression was frustrated, exasperated, and concerned.
Wonder when I got so good at reading him?
'There's been a situation in Miami that's got FUBARed. I have to go deal with it. I'm sorry Baby.'
'It's ok, not your fault. Guess that means you can go see your family huh?' I was going for bright, cheerful, and chirpy, and I didn't ask the one question I was dying to know the answer to.
He met my eyes and held them, saying nothing. He knows me too well, and chirpy doesn't fool him.
'How long will you be gone?' I asked finally, trying to keep my voice level.
'Only a few days, a week maximum.'
I nodded, trying to be ok with him leaving. But the truth is, just the thought of him going away again made me want to burst into tears and unattractive heaving sobs. I know, I know – I'm supposed to be a strong, independent, tough-ass woman. It's just he's the man I love, and we haven't been together as a couple for very long, and the 'situation' would probably only require him if it was dangerous. Hence, sniffle sniffle.
'Baby.' He said, and drew me tightly into his arms. 'I'll phone you every morning and every evening, you'll barely know I'm not here.' I buried my head in his shoulder. We remained like that for a few minutes, then he slowly pulled back. He stroked my hair out of my face and kissed me tenderly. He eased out of bed and pulled on some clothes.
'I love you.' he said.
'I love you.' I replied.
Then he walked out the door.
A second later he walked back through and kissed me passionately, reducing me to the intelligence of a pile of goo.
'It wasn't right before,' he explained, and then he was in the wind.
I heaved myself out of bed and belatedly greeted the day. I had a shower and ate some frosted flakes I found in Ric's kitchen. They were brand new and unopened, Ric must've gotten them for me – he wouldn't touch that stuff with a barge pole.
I pulled on some gym clothes and headed for a work out, hopefully my Bro could do some training with me; for some unknown reason, I was in the mood to kick some ass.
Luckily for me my Bro was in the gym – he took one look at my face and headed towards the mats. I joined him there, and crouched down in the ready position. He matched me, and the games began.
An hour and a half later we were lying on the mats next to each other. I felt battered, but triumphant – I'd 'killed' my Bro! Of course, he'd 'killed' me twice, but that didn't lessen my sense of achievement.
'So,' I said, 'how come you and Nick are hanging out at the compound so much? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad my Bros are here, I'm just curious.'
'Curiosity killed the cat.' Danny said.
'That's ok,' I replied, 'she has eight lives left.'
He grinned, 'true.'
He remained silent.
'Bro!' I whined, 'tell me!'
His lips twitched, 'Just teasing you Angel. Ranger always provides accommodation for his employees, but the fourth floor on Haywood is all taken. So he offered the use of one of the spare rooms in your wing. Besides, the technology here at the compound is better, so Nick's working here primarily. It's just easier to live here than at our old apartment.'
'So there's nothing flunky going on?'
Danny chuckled, 'nothing flunky.' He agreed. 'How bout you come visit Nick and me in our new digs? We'll watch the game, and have us some pizza, you in?'
'You know it!' I said, using one of Nick's phrases.
'Good.' He replied. We pulled our slightly achy bodies off the mat and headed to our respective showers.
The rest of the day passed pleasantly but slowly. I went swimming and to the gun range, and Bear helped me hone my hot wiring skills. The evening was fun – it was great to catch up with my Bros. But despite my general enjoyment of the day, I was missing Ric.
Meanwhile…Ric tugged on the bell pull and he heard the clang of it resound in the house. A moment later one of the huge oak doors was opened.
'Ricardo!' His mother exclaimed, and leapt forward to hug him. He took the petite woman into his arms.
'Ma.'
'You should've let me know you were coming! Everyone's here, so I cooked enough that there's some leftover food if you want it.'
'Ma, I'm not even through the door and you're trying to feed me?'
His mother laughed helplessly, 'A habit of a lifetime.' She ushered him in and all but dragged him to the living room.
'Hey.' Ric greeted the room.
'Ric!' Serena gave a squeal of delight and launched herself at him, no easy feat for a seven-month pregnant woman. Ric hugged his sister, and nodded to her husband, Jake Blade. Jake was a wealthy man, he owned several casinos, and contrary to Ric's expectations he had turned out to be a good man, and an even better husband for his baby sister.
Jacko lightly punched his older brother, gently pushing his twin out of the way. At 27 Jacko still lived the wild life of a 17 year old, monogamy was a word that didn't enter his vocabulary – but then, he was a NASCAR driver.
Then Ric greeted Dom and Dom's lover, Marco. Both men were lawyers, and they ran a very successful practice together – partners in life, not just bed. Marco had come from a red-kneck bigoted family, who had instantly disowned him when they found out he was gay. That's probably why he felt so comfortable with Nick and Danny, Ric mused. After all, he'd seen the pain his brother and his partner had been through.
And finally, Ric saw his Papa. He hugged the older man tightly, and as always, felt like a child again momentarily. His father could easily pass for a man in his forties, yet despite his age, his build was as muscular as ever. Even at 58, Carlos Nicholas Manoso was not a man to be trifled with. He had the air of an ex-soldier, but the heart of a gentle giant. Unlike many children, Ric had not idolised pop stars as a child, but his Papa. His Papa, who had given him a chance in life, and a place in his heart.
'Bad day?' Papa asked.
Ric realised that he'd been hugging his father for a few minutes. 'Yeah.' Ric replied.
'Food?' Ric's Ma asked.
'Dessert?' Ric asked, and smiled slightly when he saw the look of surprise on her face.
'Chocolate cake.' She said finally.
'That'd be great.'
'That bad?' she asked.
'Yeah, it's been a real pisser of a day. It started off so well…'Ric said, with a wistful look on his face.
His mother returned a few minutes later with a bowl of chocolate cake.
Ric eased into his favourite armchair and contemplated his day as he ate his cake. The mess was even worse than he'd been lead to believe. He'd spent the day snapping and snarling and delivering ugly threats, and he wasn't feeling too great right now. He needed his Babe. Needed to look in her eyes and see her faith, her love. She made him want to be Batman. Ric let out a heavy sigh before he could stop it.
Serena got up and massaged his shoulders. He let himself relax under her ministrations. He smiled his thanks, and checked the time. It was getting late. He excused himself, and headed for bed. Time to speak to his Babe.
I went to our bedroom at about half past ten. I cleaned my teeth and got ready for bed. On an impulse I slid on a red negligee that I hadn't shown to Ric yet. I brushed my hair and slipped in between the cool sheets, I put my cell on the pillow next to me, and settled in to wait for Ric's call.
As if by magic, my cell rang. I smiled eagerly and answered. 'Hello?'
'Yo.
'Yo yourself.'
'How was your day Babe?'
We talked about my day for a while; I rambled on, telling him about 'killing' my Bro for the first time, and managing to hot wire a car in four minutes.
'What about you?' I asked.
'It sucked.' He said.
'That bad huh?'
'Yeah. I ate my Ma's chocolate cake.'
'Yikes! It must have been a real pisser of a day.'
'Yeah. I had to be a real bastard all day.'
'Could you have gotten the same results in a different way?'
'No.'
'Exactly. You did what you had to do to get the job done. You don't have to enjoy it.'
'Yeah.' Ric agreed, sounding a bit better. Somehow his Babe always managed to put things in perspective. 'So,' he said, his voice dropping a notch or two, 'what are you wearing?'
'A red negligee.' I replied.
Ric swallowed audibly. 'Underwear?'
'Nope, none of that.' Ric's breathing turned heavier.
'Describe your negligee for me Baby, I want to picture you.'
'It's deep red, and it's made of silky lace.' I paused, 'and it's see-through.'
'Oh God.' Ric groaned. His hand slipped under the sheets to hold his throbbing cock, and he began to stroke his hand up and down his length.
'Where are you in the bed?' Ric asked.
'The covers are pushed down, and I'm on your side of the bed, it smells so good, the scent of you is all around me.'
'Baby?'
'Rico?'
'Are your nipples hard?' he asked.
'Yeah.' I breathed.
'Touch them for me, imagine it's my hands on you.' I groaned aloud as I complied with his request.
'Are you wet Baby?'
'Yes,' I moaned, 'so wet, so wet for you. Always wet for you.' I slipped two fingers of my left hand inside me and gasped.
'You're finger fucking yourself, aren't you Baby?'
I moaned.
'That's it Babe, that's the way you like it. Add another finger Baby.' I did so, riding three of my fingers now. 'That's it, so good Baby. Harder, you know you like it harder.'
My right hand left my breasts and slid down my body to my swollen clit. I gasped as I touched myself there.
'You're stroking your clit, aren't you Baby?'
'Rico,' I managed to say.
'You're so close now Babe. It's time. Cum for me Baby. Now.'
And I did, screaming his name. I heard him groan my name as he came too.
We stayed silent, both of us trying to regain our level breathing. Eventually I felt myself begin to drift off, 'Ric?' I said, my voice thick with sleep.
'Don't hang up the phone Babe; I want to listen to you breathe. Just go to sleep Querida.'
'Love you.' I said sleepily.
'I love you Baby.'
'Nite.'
'Good night Babe, dream of me.'
I made some kind of affirmative noise, and drifted off to sleep, listening to the sounds of his breathing.
