Chapter 16- Night
1245 Words
The day melts quickly under the heat of the sun, and soon the golden ball is weighing taught on the molten horizon.
The moon has barely won the battle against the sun as we pull back into the original parking lot, the terrain looking much less dead under the canopy of mellowing darkness.
"I've always loved the night." I start, stepping out the truck.
"More than the day?"
"I think so. The night is so much calmer than the day. The sun watches down like a blinding eye of criticism, but the moon absorbs our actions in unconditional acceptance. It's freeing."
"What do you do with no judgement and a sky full of stars?" A hint of suggestion in Lusso's deep voice.
I stand and stare out, smiling in the memories of this incredible day. A day I could have never even imagined two days ago. "Anything I want."
After my speech of freedom and beauty, Lusso gestures for me to re-enter the bag from hell. Reality crushes down around us, and my heart sinks a little as the fantasy of today ends. I step back thoughtlessly, my heart beat speeding up. Now that I've tasted life again, I don't think there's anyway I can go back.
"Bella, you've known how this day ends. You know this can't last," sadness pools in his eyes, and I know he doesn't want this day to end either.
"I don't wanna go back there." I shake my head frantically.
"Don't make me do this the hard way," it seems like a threat, but he says it like a plea.
"I can't," I choke. The nasty emotion that's been hiding in my heart reveals it's self as raw, pitiful fear. My heart lifts itself into my throat, and beats rapidly.
Lusso seems to understand, but doesn't cave. "I know. I understand perfectly, love. But we need you, and we don't have another option. I want to make things better for you."
I'm undeterminably torn. Ripped between feeling bad for myself, the undeniable urge to pivot and sprint into the night, and the devastating fact that I know what I'll choose. I never had a choice, and I made the split second mistake of letting myself believe I did.
With my heart thrashing and being pulled in different directions, I make my way to Lusso.
Just as I lift my foot to set it in the bag, he stops me by my upper arm. I search his eyes in confusion, his dark ones full of intent.
He sinks softly into my lips, and I quickly catch on. We fall into rhythm and I pull him down to me. His strong arms lift me a little by my lower back, before he surprises my by slipping his tongue in my mouth.
I stumble a little at this new feeling, unsure how to return it. To my relief, his dominating tongue leads the kiss easily, and I drift further and further from my thoughts.
We break away breathlessly, and I grab handfuls of his cotton shirt. I rest my head in the center of his chest, while his large hand rubs circles up my back.
The warm breeze fluidly brushes around us, and I can still smell the salty air on Lusso's cloths. The shadow the moon throws on his defined body reminds me of the first night I saw him, and I disconnect the morbid images from that moment. I don't want to know Lusso that way. Ignorance is bliss, so I push it away for another time.
"We have to go," He breaks my peace, something we both know ultimately had to be done.
"I know."
Lusso helps me into the bag, zipping it up. I expect to have to fight my panic again, but I'm so exhausted from the day the dark wrapping brings me a type of rare serenity. I'm almost asleep when I hear the buzz of the long zipper.
I blink up at Lusso, who's set me on the edge of his loveable bed. I didn't even realize the trip was over.
I roll out of the duffle, becoming engulfed in the mattress immediately. It's an actual cloud. Lusso trapped a magical cloud bed in his room, and I'm laying on it right now.
"I like your bed better than mine." I squint at the harsh light.
"Your more than welcome to it anytime."
Lusso flicks off the over head lighting, leaving us in the muted hue of a bedside lamp. My tense muscles slack as I drift from consciousness, surrounded by the masculine smell of Lusso.
Just on the brink of sleep, my eyes snap open. I have to change my tampon.
I drag myself to the bathroom with my product in hand, then plop onto the toilet and curse the gods for giving me a v****a.
I stumble back out after vigorously scrubbing my hands, checking under my nails for any stray red. f**k the period gods so hard.
Flinging myself onto the bed, I groan. "I really don't feel like crawling through vents tonight. I'm so exhausted."
Lusso comes out of his closet in sweats and a thin shirt. "Then don't. Your welcome to stay." He lays next to me, running his warm hand up and down my arm.
I perk up a bit, forcing myself to engage in this new conversation. "I don't know..." I trail off, unsure how to continue.
"I promise I'll be good."
"Lusso Kings, you're anything but 'good'."
He pouts. "For you, I'll be anything you want."
"But Cidney say's you don't let people in your room. Let alone your bed." I frown, remembering the conversation between us.
"Well, you're not most people, incase you haven't noticed," he pulls me to him, and pecks my cheek. "Don't overthink it. Just stay."
I bite my lip, thinking for a moment. "Okay," I finally give the answer I honestly always knew I would. How could I ever say no to him we he looks at me like his life hangs in the balance of my answer?
Lusso gives me one of his shirts to change into, and I feel like I'm swimming in endless fabric. The large grey shirt smells of the same leather and spearmint he always does, and I want to live in this shirt for the rest of my life.
In bliss, I let Lusso cover me in his dark blankets. He drags himself as close to me as he can before flushing his lips with mine, and I enjoy the feeling of his skin under my fingertips and the taste of him on my lips, only for a moment.
I gently force my mouth away from his, then rest my face on the pillow his is on too.
"You promised you'd be good," I say, wanting to stop this before it gets too out of hand. I'm just not up for anything like that right now.
He chuckles, and I embrace the vibrations in his tight chest. "I suppose your right."
We rest in each others warmth, before the silence finds me and my doubts corrupt me.
"Lusso?" I start softly, "Why are you doing this?""Doing what?" his sleepy voice heavy.
"Taking me out. Helping me. Hell, kissing me and letting me stay in your room?" I blurb out.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"Isn't what obvious?"
"I want you to like being here. I want you to like being with me." He grabs the back of my thigh, and pulls my leg over his. Bless the dark, cause it's hiding the awkward blush that's on my face right now.
I find meaning in the words he speaks to the dark, and decide that right now, his answer is enough for me.
"Okay."
"Okay?" he asks for reassurance.
"Okay," I agree.
- Writer
