AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Eventually, we’ll have to come clean to Frank and Jeff, but not until I can guarantee her safety.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.” I muse, thinking I had more time.
9
TRISTANO
I holda glass of wine to my lips and stare into the moonlit sky through the open window. Aurora stands next to me, arms folded across her chest. We've been there for a long time, watching the moon in silence. After hanging out at a bar in the heart of the city, we're back home, and our moods are now sober.
It's disturbing how we keep what we have under wraps because it's too risky. Jeff can’t know I'm dating his daughter, not after what happened regarding his hotel. And Frank can’t know because it’s mixing business with pleasure.
Aurora sighs, and I turn to look at her. Her auburn hair dances to the tune of the gentle evening wind, and her face is ominously grim. She glares at the moon like it's an enemy, and it reminds me of how she used to look at me when we were doing the hotel transfer. These days, her eyes roll in their sockets, and the word daddy keeps escaping her lips when we make love. That’s how far we’ve come.
I look away from her, focusing on the moon again. It slips under a dark cloud, and the silver rays vanish.
"I need to tell Jeff," Aurora says suddenly.
"What?" I turn to look at her. Even with the temporary absence of the moonlight, I see her face quite well. It also helps that every line and contour there is etched in my memory.
"My dad. He'll be worried I'm not home yet. I don't like to see him agitated. Yes, he makes bad decisions sometimes, but he's still my father, and I’m tired of hiding"
I sigh and run my palm over the flat window frame. "So, you want to go home?"
The moon slips out of the cloud again, and the silver light spreads over everything in sight. Aurora runs a finger through her hair while maintaining the dark look on her face.
"No, I'm not going home. I just want to reach out to my dad and tell him I'm safe."
Aurora gets away from me, and I watch her hurry to the bed. The night dress hugs her body and outlines her body. I close my eyes and think of those early days when she hated my guts and always looked like she wanted to sucker punch me. All that aggressiveness has gone into our lovemaking...
She's the best woman I've had. Ever.
Her voice floats into my ears as she gets on the call with Jeff.
"Jeff, are you all right?" I can't hear his reply. Aurora is too far away. I look out the window onto the busy street, thinking about what the coming days hold. He and I are overdue for a conversation, and I’ll tell him about us. He won't be happy, but I know I’m falling in love with her, and we both want what’s best for Aurora.
My phone buzzes with a text from Frank. The smile on my face vanishes when I read the content.
You've not been showing up for our meetings. What's up with you? You got some business going on that I don't know about?
Since Aurora came into the picture, I've had less time to hang out and discuss business with Frank. It's damn glaring. I look up from my phone to Aurora, who is pacing the room while having an animated conversation with her father. She’s changed my world, and I can't deny that I love it. But my friendship with Frank doesn’t have to suffer.
I replyI've been dealing with some personal issues. It’s all fixed now. Things will get better in the coming week.
I hit the send button and take in a deep breath. Moments later, I get a response from Frank.I hope you’re good because it’s time to get this money.
Aurora kisses across my shoulder blades, pulling my attention away from Frank’s text. I turn around to see her smiling coyly. She knows the effect her naked body has on me.
"You look worried," she mutters, and a concerned look comes over her face. She sits next to me and searches my eyes for answers. "What happened?"
"Nothing serious. It's just a friend that is getting worried about my absence."
"Frank?"
"Yeah. He's suspicious because I'm not showing up as much as I used to."
"And that's because of me, right?" Aurora's face darkens.
I hold her hand up and kiss her knuckles. Her skin is smooth against my lips. Everything about her is smooth. "It's not your fault. I have to do better in balancing our relationship with work. And Vulcan is flying under the radar. So, I can’t tell anyone anything. Not yet."
