Mi Carino (31 page)

“
Sweetheart, what did the man do?”

“
Nothing. Everything. He won’t meet my friends for starters.”

Susan chuckled. “Is that all? Sounds like a true ‘A-type’ of guy.”

“
He invented the term, and I think he knows Richard.”

“
Wait, why do you think that?”

“
They acted like they knew each other.”

“
He met Richard?”

Marcella sighed. “I’m so pathetic with him, so needy, and worse yet I like it. Look at how I’ve treated all of you. Don’t get me wrong. Diego is sweet, charming and attentive. When it’s just us I’m his sole focus. This is why I’m crazy. Because my heart gets all in it and he disappoints me.”

Susan grew silent. Marcella understood. What she said aloud shocked her.
She liked being his submissive?
Had she really gone over the bend? Suddenly panic swelled in her chest. She felt trapped and hopelessly desperate. Taking a seat on the sofa, she dropped her head in her hand with the phone pressed to her ear. “I sent him away. It’s for the best. This thing with us has to stop.”

“
I agree. Now explain Richard to me. Why does Diego know him? How?” Susan said.

“
I don’t know. He wouldn’t tell me.” Marcella blinked through her tears. “You think I should end it?”

“
C’mon. Love isn’t supposed to be this painful, and if it is at the very least not in the beginning. You have completely lost sight of you in this equation. Of course I want you away from him.”

“
You’re right.” Marcella agreed.

“
And Diego is just a jerk? Right?”

“
No, I told you he’s complicated. He’s vulnerable like me.”

“
Marcella, don’t do that sweetie. If he was all those things you wouldn’t be in pain.”

There was a knock at the door.

“
Shit.”

“
What? What is it?”

“
I don’t believe this.”

“
Marcella?”

“
Let me call you back.”

She shut off the phone. She saw him leave so certainly it couldn’t be him. Going to the door she peeked and discovered it was. Marcella’s hand went to the knob froze over it, then closed over it and opened the door. This time he had a better arrangement of flowers, two cones of cellophane Daisies from the grocer—the Kroger label covered both.

“
Are you kidding?”

“
Let me in.” he grumbled.

She undid the chain and opened the door. He handed her the flowers. Marcella accepted them watching him as he walked through. “These aren’t why I opened the door,” she said closing it behind her with her foot and tossing both to the plant table near the door.

He turned with his hands in his pockets. “If it’s your ex-boyfriend, I’m no longer jealous. I apologize.”

“
It’s more than that and you know it.”

“
I apologize for that too.”

“
For what exactly Diego?”

“
For whatever it is that has you pissed with me.” He snapped back.

Marcella shook her head. “Fine, it’s been a weird night. I’m trying to get my head together so, if that’s all then please go.”

He stepped in her way blocking her turn to the door.

“
Just leave okay, you don’t want to talk unless I press and I don’t want to press anymore.”

“
Anymore? Is this because I wouldn’t go to the gallery thing?”

“
Among other things, yes. One minute you’re a dream and the next, a nightmare. I can’t take the merry go round with you. My life is
not
about what I do for you in bed…it’s about more than that. And you don’t want to be part of it. Not really.”

“
There’s nothing wrong with what you do for me in bed,” he said cupping her breast. She knocked his hand away but he gripped her wrist pinning it behind her back. She was brought up against him and held there. “Stop fighting me
nena
. I am sorry. I will show you.”

“
You’ve already shown your cock to me Diego, I’m no longer impressed.”

“
Is that so?” he smirked, then forced a kiss. She bit his bottom lip. He kissed her harder, forcing her tongue to mate with his. The tightness loosened on her wrist, and his hand dropped to grip her ass and squeeze.

“
Let me go.” She pleaded turning her face away. He peppered her cheek with kisses, but his hold and touch softened. The phone rang.

“
Leave it,” he said huskily.

“
No.” She stepped away and picked up the phone just as it stopped ringing. She turned around and tied her robe. “Get out Diego.”

He stood there defiant.

“
I mean it.”

“
Don’t send me away Marcella.”

She glared at him.

“
Can we stop this?” he shouted. “It’s ridiculous! I wouldn’t waste my time with you if you weren’t important.”

“
Waste your time?”

“
You know what I mean! I can’t win!” He huffed, and then started speaking fast in Spanish, too fast for her to translate.

“
It’s not about winning, or dominating me. It’s about things you should know, that I shouldn’t have to say to you in a relationship. The fact that you don’t, well it makes this whole thing pointless.”

He glared at her.

She looked away. “I don’t know who I am when we are together.”

“
I know who you are.” He stepped toward her.

“
No you don’t. And you won’t if you don’t answer me. You tell me right here and now, are you coming? Will you come?”

He removed his coat. Slid off his sports coat, lowered his suspenders, undid his tie…she looked at him aghast. He shrugged off the question.

“
Answer me. Are you?”

“
All I care about is you, and only you.”

“
And this showing is
me
. My friends are a part of
me
. Frankly I’m insulted that you’d think otherwise.” She paced away from him, hands to her hips. “I’ve been ignoring it, but not after tonight. I want an answer. And you know the one I need to hear. So what is it?”

“
It’s that important to you?” He asked her.

“
How do you think I feel sharing your bed and all the wonderful things you do with me, but you can’t be bothered to meet my friends?” She touched his face. “I’m trying Diego, because despite the way we’re bonded I have hope for more. But you break my heart when you push me away. Let me in or let me go.”

He stared at her. She felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She almost withdrew because it burned so badly. But she didn’t. Instead she touched both sides of his face and kissed him, a soft kiss breezing over his lips as gentle as a whisper. His arms circled her. They held each other without words. Her resolve weakened in his hold.

“
It’s not that I don’t care, it’s not that at all. If you need me then I’m there, because you need me.” Diego said. “It is hard for me Marcella. I wish I knew the words to explain. I don’t.”

“
Meeting my friends is hard?”

“
No. Yes. I’m not a man many like.”

“
Diego that makes no sense.”

“
You care for me Marcella, I see that. People usually don’t. They fear me.”

The final three words hit her hard. Fear him? Either he was an extreme narcissist or insane, no one could fear him from a meeting. “Diego sweetheart, my friends aren’t like the people you socialize with.”

Diego narrowed his eyes on her. “You don’t know everything about me Marcella, and that is for the best. If I step into your life you will. I want to pace us. Take our time. It is good between us, no? Before others influence your feelings for me I want them to grow, as mine grow for you. Time,
nena
, I need more of it.”

“
You can’t have it.” She announced. “I’m sorry Diego but this is it. I need your friendship now, not your bed. I want you to come to my show.”

He nodded he understood. “And I wish to be the man to give you, your wants.”

Marcella threw her arms around his neck. A natural step for most was a big step for them. She felt it. She felt it and she clung to it. “Now let’s make up,” he breathed in her ear, untying her robe. He pushed her head to the side with his jaw so he could press kisses along the line of her throat. Marcella ran her hands over his broad shoulders, moaning under the soft shivery tickles applied over her skin.

“
I want to make love to you. Now.” Diego panted, taking steps to walk her back to the bed.

“
No.”

He looked at her displeased.

“
Not tonight. I want you to hold me.”

His gaze lowered to her exposed curves. She knew he wanted to object. Marcella stepped back and shed her robe. She walked over to the bed and slipped under the covers. Diego shed his clothes and joined her. Though his erection pressed into the back of her thigh, he spooned her without complaint. “Forgive me
nena
, I’ll get it wrong from time to time.”

She closed her eyes and prayed that her instincts were wrong. Diego Andes just had to be the one. After all the heart wants what it wants.

Chapter Sixteen

The gallery closed early. Garrett had left again for L.A. to visit Bailey and Susan remained with her mother. Marcella sent Sam home. Tending to her business renewed her strength. She loved her work, she loved her success, a great distraction from the nagging doubt shadowing her inner thoughts.

The alarm chirped when the door softly echoed. She thought she closed the store, locked it. Rising from behind her desk she walked out of her office and saw Richard turning to close the door.

“
Richard?” Marcella gasped at the brutality inflicted upon his once handsome face. “Sweet merciful God!” she stammered. She hurried toward him when their eyes met. “Are you okay? Was there an accident? What happened?”