Words of Lust (13 page)

Chapter Nine

“You spanked her? Are you kidding me? Holy shit!”

“Calm down, Berto. I’m sorry I said anything.” He gave his brother a casual punch in the arm, then popped a beer. “Remind me to engage the brake on my mouth the next time you’re around.”

“Sorry, man, you know I wouldn’t say anything. Seriously, though, I can’t believe you told me at all, but it’s really hot.”

“It was, actually, and nobody was more surprised than me.”

“Really?”

“Come on, Berto, I’m not the playacting kind of guy.”

“You are according to Denise.”

“Playing doctor when you’re thirteen is not what I meant. And while we’re on the subject, let’s not ever be on the subject of Denise anymore? It’s ancient history and it gets The Professor upset.”

“Sure, sure. So get to the good parts. Whose idea was it?”

“Mine.”

“How’d you come up with it?”

“She’s had some crappy guys feeding her shit before. I just want her to relax with me, but it seems really hard for her to let go. I figured with what she teaches, it might be fun to get her on safer ground and see if she’s more comfortable. She’s got all these books of erotica in her apartment and this one had pictures. This stuff Gia told me to read can be pretty cool. This guy Henry Miller, he was from Brooklyn. And he wasn’t that good-looking, but he was getting lots of nookie. From two women, no less.”

“Man. You have all the luck.”

“You should try out some of this erotica stuff on your ladies. Trust me when I say you will get very lucky.” He looked at his brother and pointed a finger. “If you promise not to give me shit, I’ll tell you what we’ve been doing.”

“Scout’s honor, dude. Talk to me.”

“You were never a scout, Berto.”

“Technicality.”

“We text sexy quotes to each other. Seriously. I like that she’s thinking of me even when we’re not together.”

“Quotes like what? ‘How do I love thee’ stuff?”

“Not even close. Here, why don’t you take
Tropic of Cancer?
” He tossed his brother the book. “You’ll see what I mean. I finished with it and the guy’s got a ton of other books.”

“Henry Miller, huh?”

“His books were banned for years.”

“That dirty, huh?”

“You bet.”

“Gee, maybe I should get myself a library card if dirty books can get you such a gorgeous lady.”

“Come on, you know me. It’s not about how gorgeous she is, though of course she’s the total package. And it’s not just sex either, you know? She’s pretty amazing. She’s really funny, and she’s smart about everything, except sports. She’s got a very interesting background too It’s sad, though. She’s all alone. No family at all.”

Berto gave him a look. “Dude! Who are you and what have you done with my brother?”

“I’m not that bad.”

“Way bad.”

“I like her. A lot.”

“You’ve been dating her for what, two weeks? And already you’re reading books and sexting, and getting all gooey over her. I think we need to do a metrosexual intervention here.”

“Cut the crap, Berto. I know you better than anyone and you aren’t the goombah you pretend to be.”

His brother focused his attention on the last slice of pepperoni pizza and a fresh brew, looking thoughtful. “So things are getting serious?”

He paused for a moment. “I’m having a great time. But I don’t know about her.”

“How come?”

“I piss her off sometimes.”

“You piss everybody off.”

“No, she just has this problem with me being protective, or even just helping out. She has this chip on her shoulder and she gets ticked off because she thinks I’m treating her like a child, but sometimes she acts like one.”

“How old is she?”

“Twenty-four.”

“So she’s entitled, maybe. Why don’t you cut her some slack, man?”

“I do. Sure, it gets old when she gives me that pout and gets all testy, but I get it. I’m sure she took shit all the time for being younger than everyone else in college. But I’m only trying to take care of her. Protect her. I’m not trying to run her life.”

“Why don’t you just say so?”

“We haven’t actually talked about it. We just dance around it.”

“Too busy spanking her, huh?”

“Berto, I swear, if you go spouting off about this, I’ll beat the crap out of you.”

Berto just smiled. “Don’t look now, but you’re getting all fierce and macho, bro. I think you’re already serious about the lady.”

“Damn. Yeah, I am.”

“Then take a break from the monkey sex and lay it out for her.”

“Good idea.”

“I know.”

“Wiseass.”

“I know.”

Chapter Ten

Thursday morning arrived, her most hectic day, and she had back-to-back classes. While she was with Nick she never thought about the mystery stalker she’d dubbed the shadow man. For several days there hadn’t been any further sightings of anyone prowling around outside her building at night. The heavy-breathing phone calls had ceased, so that source of tension had waned as well. Her workload continued to be overwhelming as she adapted to the Russian lit class, but at least she had gotten sufficiently up to speed to grade papers and looked forward to handing them back and having a chat with those students whose offerings left a lot to be desired.

She’d tried to distract herself from the grind of the day and composed a text to Nick in their naughty game channeling Anaïs and Henry.

“I’ll bring the candles if you bring the penis. Page 110. AN LB.” Hitting Send, she smiled to herself. Nick’s dominant lovemaking gave her a sensual thrill and her clue was a sneaky way of letting him know she enjoyed submitting to him. She hoped he read the hot, torrid words and saw himself as she did. Like Nin’s charcoal-black-eyed demon, pounding into her. She was his to initiate into all the most decadent, the most erotic pastimes, to drug with his very touch.

During a brief afternoon break, her phone rang. Hoping for Nick, despite her good intentions to stay realistic about their relationship, she was disappointed when an unknown number popped up.

“Hello?”

“Serafina? It’s Cara—Nick’s sister.”

“Hi, Cara. How are you? Is everything going okay with the baby?”

“I feel like garbage, but the little bugger’s hanging in there. I hounded Nick until he gave me your cell number. I hope that’s okay?”

“Absolutely. I’m sorry I couldn’t be at dinner last Sunday. Taking on an extra course is killing me.”

“No apologies necessary. You can make it up to me and Mom by saying yes to a girl’s night on Saturday. Rocco is still out of town and Mom decided to throw Dad out for the night. You, me, Gia and Mom. We’ll make margaritas I will be forced to sit and watch you drink, and we’ll get to know each other.”

She sighed. Here it was again. Things with Nick were amazing, but she couldn’t be certain it was going to last. Getting closer to his family was another big step. It scared her.

“Serafina?”

“That sounds like fun.” It didn’t. It was nerve-racking to be strengthening these bonds when she had no real idea where her relationship with him might be headed. But the ladies were lovely and fun and she enjoyed their company. Besides, she wanted to talk to Gia and make sure she was all right.

“Great. Mom will be thrilled. She’s already fretting over what to cook.”

“She doesn’t have to cook on my account.”

“Oh, please, are you kidding me? Trying to keep her from cooking for company would be like holding back the Gang Green defensive line.” Cara laughed, then groaned. “Sorry, even laughing is a pain these days.”

“When are you due?”

“Not for six weeks, if you can believe it. I’m as big as a house. I put on more weight this time too, but nothing I do seems to help.”

She had no words of consolation to offer.

“Don’t mind my whining. But I swear, Rocco better not come near me with that thing of his after this baby’s born.”

She laughed at the woman’s grumpy complaint, but a familiar twinge of sorrow dampened the humor of the situation for her.

“I’m sorry, Cara, I have to head to another class. I can get to your parents’ by subway, right?”

“Absolutely. Just catch the E train and get off at the 71st Avenue Forest Hills stop. We’re just a couple of blocks from there. Or you can grab the Long Island Railroad to the Forest Hills station and Mom can come pick you up.”

“I don’t want anyone to bother, so I’ll take the subway.”

“How about a compromise? Mom can make Dad drive you back to the train later so you don’t have to roam around in the dark. Besides, you’ll be smashed if we have our way. Mom’s margaritas are killer. In fact, I think I’ll have her bring a pitcher to the delivery room. Later!”

She got through her next class and even managed to sit through an impromptu meeting called by Ralph, during which he laid down the law to Elizabeth and refused to allow her to steamroll him, or the rest of the instructors in the department. When she dragged herself out of the building afterward, hoping that perhaps his plans had changed and Nick’s red truck would be waiting, the disappointment of his absence wiped her out. Thinking back to Caroline’s probing questions, she had to wonder: Was it worth it? All other issues aside, sooner or later the issue of motherhood would come up and she didn’t think their relationship could surmount that obstacle. She walked wearily to the subway and headed home, thoughts of a hot meal, a glass of wine and an evening of grading papers occupying her mind.

It was the last week of April, but the evening was still a bit chilly, and she’d pulled on her sweater as she exited the subway. A crowd of people pushed past her, and she concentrated on not being jostled. She reached the corner of the intersection at 50th Street and Eighth Avenue and waited at the front of the rush-hour crowd for the light to change as the traffic zoomed by. Since her recent fall, she was cautious and stood a safe distance back from the curb. Several cars had picked up speed in order to beat the light and she was mentally chastising them when a sudden brutal shove sent her flying off the sidewalk and directly into the oncoming traffic. A horrific squealing of tires sounded around her as she fell, slamming her shoulder and head hard on the asphalt.

* * *

Nick broke into a run as he reached the entry of the emergency room of Roosevelt Hospital. His mouth was dry and his heart was pounding as he breached the doors and ran to the triage admitting desk.

“I got a call from the police. Serafina Luca was brought here in an ambulance and they said something about a car accident?”

The nurse punched a few buttons on the computer, then nodded. “The neurologist is with her now. She’s just had an MRI and the doctor should be out soon to speak with you.”

“Is she all right?”

“I’m sorry, sir, I can’t tell you anything. As I said, the doctor will have more details.”

Typical of any New York City waiting room, the ER of the west side hospital was mobbed and he was barely able to stand it. He wanted to pound his hands on something, smash something, yell at the top of his lungs. No, actually, what he wanted was to hold Serafina in his arms and make sure she was fine. What in the hell had happened to her? All he knew was that there’d been some kind of accident. He would never have even gotten a call except at some point she’d been conscious and given them his name as her emergency contact. He’d been out the door before they hung up.

The melee of the waiting room got on his nerves. The screaming children, bellowing adults, and nurses calling out for patients made his head throb. He kept his focus on the door waiting for the doctor, and every time someone came out, he bolted forward, hoping to be called. After nearly an hour he was ready to tear out his hair, but just when he thought he’d lose his mind entirely, an Indian doctor stuck her head out the door and called his name.

“Here!” He hurried forward and followed the petite physician back through a maze of corridors lined with gurneys, patients, technicians and cops. Behind a curtain he finally caught sight of Serafina.

“Professor!” In an instant, he was at her side, taking her hand and staring into her eyes as she looked blearily back at him. The ghost of a smile on her bruised face made him feel as if his heart would beat out of his chest.

“Mr. Stellato, Ms. Luca, I’m pleased to report that the MRI shows you have had only the mildest of concussions. You’ve got numerous contusions and a badly bruised, possibly sprained shoulder, but nothing’s fractured or dislocated, so you are going to be just fine.”

“Thank God.” He was shocked to feel tears threaten, but he gulped over the lump in his throat and leaned in to place a light kiss on her blood-encrusted cheek. “How do you feel?”

She swallowed loudly, and her voice was rough. “My head hurts, my shoulder hurts and I’m feeling pretty lucky right about now. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Are you kidding me? I’m glad you told them to call me. I’d have been furious if you hadn’t.”

“I didn’t have anyone else.” Her lip trembled.

The sad confession made him cringe and the bleak expression on her face tore at him. What could it possibly be like to know there was no one in the world to call when you needed them? The fact that she’d reached out to him made his thoughts churn. He’d never have imagined that fewer than three weeks ago, he’d meet a woman who would change his world, but that’s exactly what Serafina Luca had done. The wrenching pain he’d felt when they told him she’d been hurt was like a lightning bolt of realization. He knew the kind of future he wanted, and it had to include this beautiful, brilliant woman. He wished he knew why she welcomed his protection sometimes, like now, yet at others seemed to resent it. Berto had been right. They had to clear the air.

“You’ve got me. Don’t you ever forget it.” She looked so lost, so damaged lying there. He kissed both her hands, clutching them too hard. He relaxed and checked out her poor face. “Doctor, is she being released?”

“As long as she isn’t going to be alone, yes, I can release her. I’m sure there won’t be any complications, but it’s always best if there’s someone who can be with a patient who’s had head trauma.”

“Absolutely.” He looked down at her, noting her wide eyes. She looked like exactly what she was. Young, hurt, scared and alone. He wasn’t going to debate it with her. “You’ll stay with me.”

“Excellent. Let me go complete the paperwork. Stop at the reception desk and sign off and you’re good to go. I’m certain everything will be fine. As I said, your concussion was mild, but if your headaches should get worse or if you feel unreasonably sleepy or nauseated, get to the doctor or another ER right away.”

“I’ve heard you should wake someone up every so often if they’ve had a concussion?” he asked.

“I don’t think that will be necessary unless Ms. Luca begins to feel worse.”

“Thank you, Doctor.” Her voice was weak, and husky either from dryness, or tears, or both.

When the doctor left, he looked down at her, shaking his head. “You scared the crap out of me. What the hell happened?”

“I don’t know. I was standing waiting to cross at the intersection and someone knocked into me, or shoved me, and I fell.”

“On purpose?”

She shook her head. “I have no idea. It was crowded; a lot of people had just come out of the subway. I can’t believe it’s the second time in two weeks.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I tripped and fell off the sidewalk last Monday. Remember the day it rained so hard? Some homeless man yelled at me from a doorway and I jumped to get away from him, and fell into the street and banged up my knees.”

“Christ, I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this.” He took a moment to calm himself and ran his hands through his hair. “As long as you’re all right. Promise me you won’t do that again. I practically had a heart attack. Did the police talk to you? Did anyone else see anything?”

“I don’t know. I was in and out for a little bit, but the police were there. Maybe they took statements.”

“I’ll check tomorrow and see what they say.”

The doctor stuck her head in the room. “You can leave anytime you want, Ms. Luca. Good luck.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

“Here, let me help you.” The plastic bag on the chair next to the bed held her clothes, which were rumpled, dirty, and had a few spots of blood from some of the scratches. He pulled the drapes shut and helped her out of the gown, wincing at the massive scrape and the bruising that spread from her neck halfway down her back on one side. Clearly she’d been spared more serious head injury because her shoulder hit the ground first. If it had happened differently, she might have been in far worse shape.

“Ouch!”

“Sorry, babe. Here.” He bent down to ease her arm into the sleeve of her sweater without forcing her to lift it. Then he had her stand up so he could pull her skirt up and fasten it for her. Once she was dressed again, he put her shoes on and then held out his arm.

“Lean on me, okay?”

“That sounds really nice, Nick. I think I will.”

“You’d better.” About freaking time. He kissed her hair and coughed to fight the lump in his throat.

He moved slowly to accommodate her shuffle, but once the paperwork had been filled out, he led her straight out to the truck. He lifted her into the passenger’s seat over her objections and settled her in as gently as he could. He was impatient to get her home, but drove like a little old lady to avoid jouncing her back and forth. All he wanted now was to get her back to his loft and into bed, where he could curl up with her and protect her. From whatever came her way. For as long as she let him.

In the truck, however, his frustration got the better of him and he slammed a fist on the dashboard. “I hate this. It sucks being useless. Muscles don’t mean shit when I’m looking at your bruises after the fact, when there’s nothing I can do to make you feel better.”

“I have never been as glad to see anyone in my life as I was to see you when you walked in.” Her voice broke and tears filled her eyes and ran down her cheeks in sad little lines. “With such a big family you can’t know how it feels. It is the loneliest, scariest feeling in the world to know that there’s not one single person in the world to look out for you, protect you. Especially when you’re alone and scared.”

“I care.” He touched his palm to her good cheek and she leaned against it. “Serafina, I’ve been waiting to apologize about mouthing off to Elizabeth and for embarrassing you at Sunday dinner with my family, but I’m especially sorry about the other night when my truck was vandalized. I acted like an asshole. I’m damned sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you and you didn’t deserve it. I know you can take care of yourself, but I’m just hardwired to be protective of women. It’s what my pop does, it’s what my brothers do. It’s a genetic mutation, I guess.”