Not mine, but a girl can dream.
Warning: language and and smut, actually this chapter is lots of smut, but all integral to the storyline, I promise you.
Better Man 14
Storyline borrowed from Lean Mean 13
Featuring Underneath Your Clothes by Shakira; The acoustic version is my favorite.
Dance inspired by my favorite scene from Dirty Dancing.
Really? Really? This is how it is supposed to happen? My first date with Carlos, my perfect first date with Carlos which included dinner and dancing has to end with a confrontation with Joe in the alley. Fuck you karma! I wanted to fling myself down on the ground and throw a tantrum like a two year old. I wanted to kick and scream and cry and pound my fists into the ground until I got my way.
My idea for the perfect end to our first date is for him to take me home and fulfill all of the promises his body made to me on the dance floor. Basically it would be ideal if he were to take me home and screw my brains out. Maybe it would be more perfect if we had a quickie in the parking lot first, but either way would work. I'm not picky. But in no way did my plans for the rest of the evening include Joseph Anthony Morelli.
My eyes narrowed, as I spoke his name "Joe."
I waited for his response. He ran his eyes up and down my body, cop face on. "What the fuck do you think you are doing Stephanie?"
I was having a serious case of déjà vu. I sighed. "You know, this is how you started our conversation yesterday and it didn't end so well for you. You may want to rethink your strategy here." That pissed him off. Poor baby, got stunned by a girl.
"What do you want Joe?" What I meant was can you hurry up and yell at me so Carlos can take me home and fuck me silly.
He gritted his teeth, "I wanted to talk to you."
"What if I don't want to talk to you?" I didn't have time for a rerun of yesterday. I had places to be, people to do.
"I could arrest you for assaulting a police officer and then you would have to talk to me." He threatened.
I rolled my eyes, "If that was Detective Morelli with me in the alley yesterday and not my jealous ex boyfriend I guess I can add police brutality to the stack of charges I could file with the department over this whole Dickie fiasco." He blanched and backed down. Go Wonder Woman!
"Don't you think you owe it to me? Three days ago you were my girlfriend and we were happy. Tonight you are practically having sex with Ranger on the dance floor. How does that make me look? Don't you think I deserve an explanation?" His cop face was slipping, but his bruised ego was in plain sight.
"What do I owe you Joe? What is it you think I should explain to you? How not happy I was? Dancing with Ranger? How I don't give a flying fuck about how it makes you look?" My god the man is dense.
He snorted, "That was not dancing. That was sex with your clothes on."
I sighed. "It is Latin dancing. Hell they had a steamier versions on Dancing with the Stars last week." Not that I watched it. Un uh. Nope, not me.
He wasn't giving up, "Since when do you know how to dance? I mean we all learned ballroom in junior high, but it sure as hell didn't look like that. That was more like Dirty Dancing." God I loved that movie. Patrick Swayze was so hot. Focus Stephanie.
What the man didn't know about me could fill volumes. He had never bothered to ask. "I learned to dance in college Joe. I even competed in some amateur contests in Newark. How would you know if I liked to dance? We've never talked except for you to yell at me about my job; we just shared pizza and beer before having sex. The whole time we were together we only had 2 real dates. You took me to Pino's for pizza and to your cousin's wedding. At the wedding you promised to dance with me, but you disappeared." I was calm. I know sounded uninterested, but I was tired of all the fighting. My indifference just agitated him more.
He shot back, "I disappeared? You ran off after a skip! If it wasn't for your stupid job we wouldn't be in this mess."
"Really Joe, are we going to do this again? Aren't you tired of this argument? I mean we have had this same argument at least every other week for the last 2 ½ years. And let me remind you if it wasn't for me and my stupid job you would be in jail, on the run or dead now. You're welcome." Asshole.
He was clearly insulted, "I would be fine. I would have cleared my name on my own." Sure you would have.
I rolled my eyes again, "So you didn't need my help? What about the other cases I've helped you with?"
"Don't flatter yourself Cupcake." He laughed. Is he fucking kidding me?
"Do you need me to list them for you? Your memory seems to be bad. I mean it isn't like there are that many." He didn't answer, so I continued.
I used my fingers to tick them off, "You remember your cousin Kenny and his buddy Spiro with the stolen guns?" I counted one using my thumb.
"We can't forget Uncle Mo, and the pornos, gosh that was exciting, nothing like having a rocket launcher aimed at you by a member of the clergy." This was fun! Bad Stephanie encouraged me, as I now had two fingers up.
"Then there was Clyde Cone, the Webmaster, that one got me shot twice." I brought up my middle finger to count to three and briefly consindered putting the other two down to flip him the bird. Smart Stephanie made a brief appearnce to talk me out of it.
"And how about Stiva? Solving a robbery and murders that spanned decades, I know I won't forget it. Getting locked in a coffin and a kitchen cabinet tends to stay with you." I shuddered at number four.
I was not nearly finished, "Then there were the two cases that made you look good with the feds: the Glicks' with their counterfeiting scheme and good old Allen Shempsky!" I finished with one hand and made a big production about having to start again on the other hand.
"Oh let's not forget the Slayers, that one was so much fun. I'm not still having nightmares about it or anything. I find nearly getting gang raped just rolls right off your back." I paused, like I was thinking, "You're right, you hardly ever need my help." I quit counting and threw my hands in the air in mock surrender. God I love sarcasm.
He didn't know what to say, so I continued, "I guess you were keeping me in the dark about Dickie because you didn't need my help with this one either?" Stupid Fucker. "Of course I didn't mind helping out, because you were always so grateful and supported me in my job." He had the decency to look slightly ashamed of himself, but it was short lived.
His cop face was blank again. "You forgot Scrog."
"No I didn't." He was going to make me state the obvious, "That had nothing to do with you." My voice was even.
Disgusted, he spat out, "Him, you did it for him. That's what all this is about isn't it?"
"Yes, I did it for Ranger and for Julie and no, this isn't about him." Was he hearing anything I was saying?
"And the Ramos Case? You could have brought him in. Why didn't you?" His Italian temper was starting to flare again, "You brought me in."
I sighed, "You know Joe, I am trying here. I have explained it to you multiple times, but you can't get past your bruised ego to listen to what I am saying. I am not trying to hurt you, but if you keep pushing me, I can guarantee you aren't going to like what you hear. Just let it go." I gave him one last out.
"You owe me answers." He barked.
"I don't owe you shit." I thought for a minute, "But I will answer your questions. If I do, that is it. The end. After this, you give it up. Give me up. Let me go." Ranger would be so proud of me, look at me negotiating and making a deal.
He nodded.
"Fine. I hadn't seen you in years, not since I hit you with the Buick. When I did see you, part of me wanted to hit you again." I smiled at the memory, "I brought you in yes. But I also helped you clear your name. You on the other hand left me naked and handcuffed to my shower rod." The bastard looked pleased with himself. "Who do you think came to my rescue?" I let him think about it for a minute before continuing. He looked a lot less pleased. "He is my friend and my mentor. He has always supported me and believed in me. He has offered me his help, his cars, and a job when I needed it. He has saved my life more times than I can count. And all of that without asking for anything in return."
Joe didn't believe me, "He may not have asked for it but you know what he wanted. I see how he looks at you. How you look at him. You want him."
I rolled my eyes. If I kept it up, I might give myself an aneurysm. "Of course I want him, I'm not an idiot. Ask any woman in Trenton, they all want him. Hell after tonight you might even be able to put my mother on the list." He looked shocked at that last part, but he didn't interrupt.
"But this isn't about him. This is about me. Joe, I have tried my whole life to fit in, to be something I'm not. I've let people tell me how I should be, what I should do. I can't do it anymore. I won't do it anymore." I emphasized for him. "It's time that I do what I want and allow myself to be happy. Don't you think I deserve that? I need to give up worrying about what other people think about what and who I should be. I need to surround myself with people who support me, people who aren't trying to change me or control me."
He still wasn't listening. He was just getting angrier; his face was now a lovely shade of crimson. "You don't think Manoso is going to control you? I saw you Stephanie, I was standing here, I heard him. Mine. What the fuck does that mean?" He took in my dress and my shoes before his eyes locked on the diamonds. "You want to tell me he didn't buy you that dress, those shoes, diamonds? You aren't his whore? It sure as hell looks like it from here." He hissed at me, his fists clenched at his sides.
He did not just call me a whore. The rhino was kicking in. "Excuse me? His whore? Fuck you Joe! Not that it is any of your fucking business, but it's not like that."
He was mocking me, "The hell it's not. You were my girlfriend; it's just a contest to him. You don't think I know he took you out to Rossini's tonight, to show off his new piece of ass? Marking his territory, that he might as well have fucked you right there in the booth while you were eating?" I fucking hate the burg and its stupid fucking grapevine.
I was trying to remain in control, but he was really pushing it. "Really Joe? Your spies forgot something. My parents were there. Does that sound like something they would have sat thru and witnessed?" He looked puzzled for a moment before he went back to being just plain pissed. "Nobody told you that my Dad shook his hand and my Mom invited him dinner on Sunday?" I didn't really want to continue, but he asked for it. My mom had been his biggest ally; he needed to know he was now all alone in his quest to make me Mrs. Joseph Morelli, proper burg wife. "I guess there were no spies in the ladies room to tell you that my mom hugged me, told me she was happy for me, and that she had never seen me so happy, not with Dickie and not with you."
He was not happy to hear that. "Great, he has your parents fooled too. Look at you Cupcake." I cringed at his stupid nickname. "He dressed you up like a goddamn Barbie doll and brought you here so you could play slut in front of all his men and half of Trenton. When he gets tired of you, he'll toss you aside and move on." Gee, that move sounds familiar. Where have I heard of someone doing something like that before, hmm… let me think. Oh yeah, I know.
"You mean like you did after the bakery? Popped another cherry and walked away without a backwards glance." I was incredulous.
"As for playing slut, I don't know if I need to spell it out for you or what, but it is dancing. Latin dancing, the last one was the rumba. R U M B A. Google it. There are great videos on You Tube. I think I am even in a few from when I was in college." Wondered if anyone taped tonight? I would love a copy. Focus.
Bad Stephanie took over since I wasn't paying attention. "Was it a sexy dance? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Damn Skippy. Am I ashamed of it? No. Does it make me want to go home and fuck his brains out? Hell yes."
My voice was getting louder. "As for all of this," I swept my hand down my body. "Yes, they were gifts from Ranger. Why shouldn't he show off the gifts he gave me? Why shouldn't I?"
I wasn't done with him yet. "What about the gift you gave me Joe? Don't you want me showing this off? Aren't you proud of it?" I showed him my arm; the makeup had worn away with the dancing. His handprint was clear in vibrant purple and blue on my pale skin.
He cringed. I knew he always worried about turning out like the other Morelli men; it was evident on his face. "It was an accident Cupcake; I didn't mean to hurt you." He stepped towards me.
I put my hand up and took a step back. "Save it Joe. You were getting out of control. I stopped you before you could do something really stupid. You're lucky I only stunned you. I would have liked to have taken it out on your boys." He unconsciously moved his hands to cover his prized possessions.
When I stepped back my earrings caught the light from the street lamp. Seeing them, his anger returned full force; any guilt he had was forgotten. He lashed out at me. "What about Manoso? You don't think he is violent? Do you think he is any different? He's a fucking mercenary!" He was shouting at me, his arms waving.
The suggestion that Ranger would hurt me sent me over the edge. I gladly handed over the reins to the little devil sitting on my shoulder. My voice was loud, but I was still in control. "You want to know the difference Joe?" I yanked my halter over to expose the love bite on my neck, turning my head so he could get a good view. "His marks on my body were given in passion. I wanted them, I asked for them. Hell, I begged for them."
He was seething, "You let him mark you? Is that what he meant by mine? He marked you like a fucking animal?"
I snorted. It was pretty funny coming from one of the two alpha males in my life. "It was a little primal yeah, but I loved it." I smiled at him, his face turned a reddish purple, "And yes, I belong to him, heart, mind, body and soul and he is mine."
"You are deluding yourself if you think you have any control over that lunatic." He fumed.
I shook my head, "That's just it Joe, it isn't about control. We accept each other for who we are. We aren't out to change each other into something they are not. A concept you would ever understand."
His control was slipping. He was clenching his fists at his side, his face was purple. If I squinted just right I thought I might see steam coming out of his ears. "You really think you are in love with that maniac?"
I just glared at him. I was done discussing my relationship with Carlos. I had already said more than I wanted to. It was none of Joe's business. I didn't owe him any explanations.
"You can't possibly think he loves you. You think he wants you for more than a good fuck? You are a trophy. It was all a game Cupcake. As soon as the thrill wears off, he will kick you to the curb. He only wanted you because you were mine."
My voice dripping with venom, I informed him, "I was never yours. I never wanted to be."
His laugh was spiteful, "You keep telling yourself that Cupcake, I will be here waiting for you, to tell you I told you so." He stepped towards me, hatred in his eyes. He reached for me, "Maybe if you promise to show me some of the new tricks you learned as his whore I'll let you back in my bed." I backed up, not liking the look on his face.
"Over my dead body." Ranger's voice was deep and hard as he stepped out from the shadows. Relief washed over me.
Joe turned his anger towards Ranger, "That could be arranged Manoso."
Ranger's laugh was harsh, "Morelli, at your best, you couldn't touch me, even at my worst."
Joe looked incredulous, "You think you are a better than me?"
Ranger smiled, "I don't think so, I know." He stepped closer to me and wrapped his arm around my waist. "And so does she."
"We are done here," Ranger directed at Morelli. "Babe, let's go home." He turned me towards the car.
"I'm not done yet," Joe bellowed. I felt his hand clamp down on my shoulder, but it was brief. There was a blur of movement and the next image that my brain registered was Joe pressed up against the wall, his feet dangling a few inches off the ground. Ranger had a hold of him by the throat and a gun to his head.
Ranger leaned in closely to Joe, his voice hard and low. "Listen to me carefully Morelli. I am only going to say this once. As far as Steph is concerned, you are done. I will not let you hurt her again. You will not touch her. You will not look at her. You will not talk to her. You will have no contact with her ever again unless it is of her choosing. She is no longer your concern," he let out a small laugh, "As if she ever was. She is mine. You are not a stupid man Morelli. You know the lengths that I will go to protect what belongs to me. I walked unarmed into a room with a madman to keep her safe. Don't think some punk ass cop is going to stand in the way of me making her happy. Do you understand me?"
Joe just stared at him, his face hard.
Ranger's voice got even quieter and more ominous, "If you don't listen, I have enough dirt on you to ensure the only place you will ever work in law enforcement is a small village in Burma. Or if you cannot be made to understand, I can assure you your poor mother won't find a piece of you large enough to bury." I could see Joe flinch before the cop face fell back into place.
I stepped forward and put my hand on Ranger's shoulder, but I looked at Joe. "We had a deal. I answered your questions. It's over. Let it go."
Joe's eyes locked with mine and I saw it, the moment he realized there was nothing he could do. He thought he had lost me. I doubt he would ever realize that he never had me. He gave a small nod. Words were not an option with Ranger's hand wrapped around his throat.
I could feel Ranger relax slightly and I brought my other hand to his chest. He gave me the slightest nod, his eyes still trained on Joe. He let Joe slide down the wall, but he kept his gun at his side. "Carlos. Let's go home."
I saw Joe flinch at my use of Ranger's name. Ranger slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me to him. I leaned into him.
"Cupcake…" Joe started.
I felt Ranger tense and heard the safety on his gun click off. I put my hand on his arm and shook my head slightly. He clicked the safety back on, but kept it by his side.
"You don't get to call me that anymore Joe. I answered all of your questions, now let me go." My voice was strong, but tired.
"I will, but there were two you didn't answer." His tone wasn't angry, it sounded like his impassive cop voice. I nodded for him to continue, willing to do anything to get this night over with.
He swallowed hard, "Do you love him? Are you in love with him?"
I didn't even hesitate. "Yes, so much it scares me." My voice was just above a whisper.
"Do you think he loves you, he's in love with you?" I could hear the doubt in his voice.
I heard Ranger's voice before I could answer, "Yes. How could I not be?" It was as simple as that. My knees buckled slightly at his declaration. He scooped me up in his arms and held me tightly to his chest.
Ranger locked eyes with Joe, both of their faces now blank. They each gave a nearly imperceptible nod. Joe looked at me, "Goodbye Cu…Steph." And he turned and walked out of the alley.
"Goodbye Joe." I whispered. I didn't know if he heard me, but I wasn't sure I said it for him.
I tucked myself further into Ranger's arms as we headed towards the car.
He settled me in the front seat, buckling me in. He cupped my face with his hand and kissed me, softly and tenderly. He trailed his fingertips down my jaw, his eyes big and brown looking into mine. "I love you Steph." I smiled a tired smile. By the time he shut the door and made it around to the driver's side I was smiling bigger, but no longer tired.
I leaned toward him and he turned to meet my gaze. I ran my fingers through his silky soft hair, my smile growing as I took in this man, mine. I pulled him toward me and kissed him fiercely. I traced his beautiful lips with the tip of my tongue before entering his mouth and tangling with his, conveying my love and my need for him. Breathless I pulled away. My voice was thick with emotion as I whispered against his lips, "I love you Carlos."
He crushed me to him, his arms holding me so tightly it was almost painful, but wonderfully so. His mouth consumed mine, taking possession of it. His lips and tongue and teeth feasting on mine, the need we felt for each other clear. His lips left mine and trailed down my neck, he pushed the strap of my halter aside to find his mark. His kissed it tenderly and laved it with his tongue.
"Mine," he whispered breathlessly. It sounded as if it was said in disbelief. I felt the need to reassure him. I fisted my hands in his hair and pulled him to me, arching my neck to give him better access.
"Always," I pleaded, begging him to mark me again. He sucked the skin into his mouth and bit down. I cried out and he lapped at the mark with his tongue to soothe the sting. He was mine. He loved me; he wanted me. "Take me home and make love to me. I need you to show me, to know all of this is real."
He reluctantly let go of me and tried to focus on the drive home. I curled up in my seat facing him, refusing to close my eyes, not willing to lose sight of him for a moment. He held my hand in his. It rested on his thigh, but he would bring it to his mouth to place gentle kisses on the back of my hand or to brush his lips across my fingers. His eyes would settle on mine briefly before reluctantly returning to the road. I never took my eyes from his face. When we pulled into Haywood, I refused to let his hand go. So he unbuckled my seat belt and hauled me into his lap, before he climbed from the car with me in his arms.
The ride up to seven was silent. He set me down in the elevator and drew me to him. He stared into my eyes before kissing me tenderly. We let our eyes caress each other. Both trying to assure ourselves that this was real; after all this time we were both finally exactly where we wanted to be, where we belonged.
I pulled him into the living room, still unwilling to let go of his hand. I wanted him to hold me close, to dance with me. I need to recapture the perfection we were together on the dance floor. I switched on the stereo and turned to face him. My voice was barely a whisper, "Dance with me." Shakira's sultry voice washed over us as he pulled me close and I slid my hands up over his shoulders.
You're a song
Written by the hands of god
Don't get me wrong cause
This might sound to you a bit odd
But you own the place
Where all my thoughts go hiding
And right under your clothes
Is where I find them
His hands low on my back kept me pressed to him as he moved our hips together. His hands moved higher to support me as I arched my shoulders back, before slowly rolling back up, my eyes locked on his. His hands reached into my hair releasing the pins that held my curls; they tumbled down my bare back. He ran his fingers though them as he took a deep contented breath at the sensation.
Underneath Your Clothes
There's an endless story
There's the man I chose
There's my territory
And all the things I deserve
For being such a good girl honey
Our hips swiveled again as he brought me close, moving me against his body. The beat was slow as he wrapped his arms around me rocking us, first side to side, then stepping into me before pulling my body back into his. I slowly undid the buttons on his shirt as we moved, pulling it free from his waist band. My hands caressed the muscles of his abs and chest as they traveled up to push his shirt off his shoulders and discard it onto the floor. I leaned into him to taste the skin at his neck and throat, trailing my tongue to the spot where my mark was fading. Possessively I breathed, "Mine," as I sucked the skin into my mouth and bit down as I felt him growl against my chest. His hands roamed the bare skin of my back as he continued to move us to the music.
Because of you
I forgot the smart ways to lie
Because of you
I'm running out of reasons to cry
When the friends are gone
When the party's over
We will still belong to each other
Underneath Your Clothes
There's an endless story
There's the man I chose
There's my territory
And all the things I deserve
For being such a good girl honey
One of his hands traveled to my hair and he claimed my mouth with a searing kiss. He trailed kisses down my throat as he unclasped the halter of my dress. The fabric fluttered to my waist revealing my bare breasts. My nipples hardened painfully at the rush of cool air. I cried out as Carlos's lips latched onto one of them sucking it into his warm mouth caressing it with his tongue. My body hummed with need as his lips tortured my breasts while his hips reminded me of what was yet to come. He released my nipple and his lips traveled back up to my mouth as he sucked on my lower lip before exploring my mouth with his tongue. His hands trailed down my back to the zipper on my dress. He unzipped it before pulling it off over my head, slowly teasing my hot skin with the cool silk fabric.
I stood before him in my lace panties, thigh highs and heels. "Sabias tu que eres muy bonita." You are so beautiful, you know that? He whispered as he gazed at my body. His hand trailed down between my breasts to my stomach and up over my hip. His fingers teased my ass dipping under the lacy edge of my panties. He groaned at the wetness he found as he trailed them over my slit, my panties soaked. His palm caressed the lace of my stockings and the back of my thigh before dipping to bring my knee up to his waist. His other arm supported my back as he resumed rocking our hips in small circles. My body more open to him, I could feel how hard he was, as he was pressed against my center. I moaned as I arched back at the sensation and my head rolled back to my shoulders. Recovering, I returned to his body, pressing my breasts into his muscled chest.
I love you more than all that's on the planet
Movin' talkin' walkin' breathing
You know it's true
Oh baby it's so funny
You almost don't believe it
As every voice is hanging from the silence
Lamps are hanging from the ceiling
Like a lady tied to her manners
I'm tied up to this feeling
Underneath Your Clothes
There's an endless story
There's the man I chose
There's my territory
And all the things I deserve
For being such a good girl honey
He released my leg and I stepped away from his embrace as I circled his body slowly, my fingers and lips trailing over the muscles in his shoulders and back, I let my hand move lower cupping his beautiful ass as I returned to face him again. He pulled me to him again and I wrapped my arms around his neck. His hands settled on my ass. We resumed moving together to the beat, our hip movements smaller, but more intense to match the music.
Underneath Your Clothes
There's an endless story
There's the man I chose
There's my territory
And all the things I deserve
For being such a good girl honey
His hands moved up my back so his hands wrapped around my shoulders. He pulled back causing me to arch into him as he placed kisses down my throat, trailing between my breasts tracing my nipples with his tongue before traveling the same path in reverse. His hands released my shoulders and came to rest on my ass as he kissed me roughly, his control slipping. His hands reached the back of my knees as he bent slightly to lift me aand I wrapped my legs around his waist as he carried me to the bedroom. He crawled onto the bed on his knees before lowering me gently. He backed away, slipping off my shoes before sliding down my stockings. I raised my hips as he did away with my panties. I lay transfixed as he stripped off his pants, socks and shoes. He stood at the edge of the bed and gazed at me. "Te quiero y tu eres mia." I love you and you are mine.
I reached for him as he crawled up my body. I took his face in my hands, my eyes locked on his. It was almost too much, too good to be true, I never thought I would be here, not like this. My eyes welled with tears, "I've waited so long, I never thought this day would come. That you would really be mine; I love you." He kissed me. It was tender and sweet, he was reassuring me. He raised himself up onto one of his forearms. His other hand caressed my cheek.
His voice was hushed, "I've always wanted you. From the first time we met, I knew I had to have you. Our first night together I realized it wasn't about want anymore, I needed you. I've never needed anybody." He kissed me softly. "I need to be inside you, I need to show you how much I want you, how much I love you."
I tried to blink away the tears that threatened to fall. I couldn't speak. I could only nod my head. He lowered his mouth to mine and I poured my need and desire for him into the kiss.
He raised himself over me and watched me as he slid into me with one swift graceful thrust. I felt complete, like I was finally whole. I whimpered; he belonged to me, with me, in me. Gently our bodies rocked together in a whole new way. We were in no hurry for release, just reveling in the sensation of being joined. We kissed and stroked each other, our emotions causing our orgasms to build more so than our touches. We both came softly, but with an intensity that took me by surprise. I cried as I came, whispering, "Carlos, oh my god, Carlos, I love you. I love you so much." I let my tears fall freely, completely consumed by the sensations that racked my body.
Carlos cried hoarsely, "He esperado tanto tiempo. te quiero y finalmente tú eres mío." I have waited so long. I love you and finally you are mine. I pulled him to me, needing to feel his full weight on top of me so I knew he was real, this was real. When he was afraid he would crush me, he rolled onto his back and pulled me with him. We didn't speak; there was no need for words. I fell asleep clinging to him as he ran his fingers through my hair whispering softly in Spanish.