Rooter (Double H Romance) (24 page)

“Hey sweetie,” she says with a thick Puerto Rican accent and squeezes him. When she pulls away to face me, her smile is genuine. “You must be the reason he’s missed the last few Sunday dinners.”

I look sideways at Rooter.
Sunday dinners?

“I’m Sophie,” I hold my hand out to her, but instead she pulls me in for a hug. And not a typical, quick, nice to meet you hug. She wraps her arms around me and squeezes me the same way she did Rooter. “I’m so happy to meet you.” She pulls away. “I’m Camilla, but call me Mama.”

The girl who was in the chaise lounge sprints toward us with a shocked expression. “Rooter, what do we have here?” She asks with a mischievous grin.

“This is Sophie—” Rooter starts, but she cuts him off before he can finish the introduction.

“I’m Isabel, but everyone calls me Isa.”

Camilla and Isabel seem a little over excited about meeting me. I can only guess it’s because they didn’t know about me.

“It’s nice to meet you, Isa.” I extend my hand.

“We don’t shake hands in this family,” she says and pulls me in for a quick hug and then hugs her brother. I think I hear her whisper to him, “Good choice,” but I can’t be sure.

Rooter leads me to the deck next to the pond and we sit side by side on a wicker couch. Isa takes a seat on the other side of him.

“I’ll go get Papa,” Camilla says and disappears into the house.

Rooter smiles at me and squeezes my leg.

“Did you wear a bathing suit?” Isa asks me and I shake my head. “You can borrow one of mine when you’re ready to get in,” she says casually and points at the manmade beach leading to the pond on the other side of the deck.

A few minutes later, Camilla comes out of the house followed by a tall man with grayish-blonde hair. I recognize Rooter’s father from pictures I’ve seen in the paper and on the news. He looks at Rooter, then to me, and back a Rooter again and gives him what appears to be a nod of approval.

Upon his approach, Rooter stands to greet him so I follow suit.

“Pop, this is Sophie.” He smiles proudly.

“Hey pretty lady,” his father says to me with a smile, “I’m Mick, but everyone here calls me Papa.” He opens his arms for a hug. When he hugs me, it’s in the same manner as Camilla.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I look at him with a smile. His eyes are blue, but they’re kind like Rooter’s.

The great thing about Rooter’s family is they don’t bombard me with a thousand questions to get to know me. Instead, we sit on the deck and make small talk. Camilla talks about her passion for gardening, which is evident as I take in their expansive lawn. Rooter and Mick talk about an old Harley they’re rebuilding together. Isa, talks about school and the boy she just broke up with and Mick chimes in calling him a “little weasel.” Rooter tells me if the boy hadn’t been underage, he would’ve relocated his fifth appendage.

The only question asked is by Camilla

“So, how did you two meet?” She looks back and forth between me and Rooter.

“Sophie lives next door,” Rooter explains.

“Lucky you,” Mick says to Rooter and winks.

Rooter chuckles and nods in agreement.

“We’re very happy to meet you, Sophie,” Camilla says and touches the top of my hand.

A couple hours pass and I become more and more comfortable with everyone. They all listen intently as I tell them a little about myself. I’ve been corrected a few times when addressing his parents by their first names rather than Mama or Papa.

After getting to know everyone, we decide to take a dip in the pond before lighting up the grill. Isa leads me to her bedroom to get a swimming suit. The moment she closes the door she turns to me and says, “There’s something you need to know.”

Chapter 29
Sunday Dinner

I hope this is the part where Isa tells me Rooter has never brought a girl home. But the intense expression she’s wearing tells me it’s likely something much more important.

“What is it?” I ask.

Isa leads me by the arms over to her bed and has me sit next to her. “Something tells me you don’t quite understand the significance of my brother bringing you here today.”

Maybe I was right after all and I am the first girl he’s brought home. “To meet all of you, I guess.”

She laughs and shakes her head. “Honey, if that’s all he was doing, he could’ve done it on a Tuesday.”

“I’m not following you.” I furrow my brow. “Is there something special about today?” Maybe it’s someone’s birthday, or an anniversary.

When she speaks, she uses her hands to emphasize her words. “Sunday dinners at the Russo house are more sacred than Catholic mass at the Vatican. They’re for family only. No friends, no acquaintances. Just family.”

Now I get it. “Oh. I shouldn’t be here.”

She shakes her head again. “Honey, you’re not getting it. He didn’t bring you here to
meet
the family. His bringing you here today signifies that he’s bringing you
into
the family.”

I gasp and choke on the air. Isa pats my back. “What?”

“Looks like I have a new sister.” She smiles and hops to her feet. “Thought you might like to know.”

I sit slack-jawed trying to process what she just said. “Wait Isa, are you saying he’s going to propose?”

She laughs again. “Well, I don’t know about that, but if he’s asking us to welcome you into the family he might as well.”

“Oh my God.” I lay my head in my hands. Is she serious? We haven’t even been together a month! I inhale a deep breath and count to ten.

Isa tosses me a red bikini and pair of shorts. “We’ll be downstairs… sis.” She smirks and leaves me alone in the bedroom.

I take a few minutes to collect my thoughts before changing into the bikini. The top is a little big since I’m not blessed with Isa’s Puerto Rican curves, so I tie it as tight as I can to make it work. When I make it back outside, Rooter and Mick are sitting side by side on the deck, engrossed in what appears to be a serious conversation. I can hear what they’re saying from the doorway so I pause to listen.

“Of course, son,” Mick says and shoulder bumps Rooter. “She seems great and sure is pretty.”

“Yes, she is.”

“But I gotta say, I thought I’d never see this day come.”

“Me either, pop.” Rooter pats Mick on the back. “There’s just something about her.”

“Hey, Sophie!” Isa hollers and waves at me from the pond.

I wave back and step out onto the deck. Rooter and his dad turn around to see me.

“If I was twenty years younger and single, you’d have some serious competition, boy.” Mick bumps Rooter in the shoulder and laughs raucously.

Rooter holds his hand out for me. “This one’s all mine.” He smiles and pulls me onto his lap.

After dinner, I help Camilla and Isa clean up while the boys go out on the deck to talk. I wash the dishes, Isa dries, and Camilla puts away leftovers. The sliding doors are closed so I can’t hear what they’re saying, but Rooter keeps looking through them, smiling at me.

“Isa told me she explained to you the importance of today,” Camilla says.

I’m glad she brought it up. I wasn’t sure whether or not Isa was exaggerating. “She did.”

“I can’t tell you how happy I am that my boy brought you here today.”

“Me, too.” Isa chimes in. “I was seriously getting worried he’d try to bring Candace into the family.”

Camilla swats Isa on the shoulder and shoots her a look.

“What?” Isa returns the look to her mother. “If she doesn’t already know about Candace, she will soon enough.”

“I know all about her,” I grumble and then remember Rooter telling me how she’s considered family to the club.

“If you have any trouble with her, you let me know,” Camilla says. “You’re family now and she knows better than to mess with family.”

Camilla’s statement moves me beyond words. She has known Candace her entire life while she’s only known me a handful of hours and yet she’s willing to defend me against her.

“Thank you, Camilla.”

She swats me on the shoulder. “It’s Mama!”

“Sorry,” I blush and just about drop the soapy plate in my hand. “Thank you, Mama.”

When we pull into Rooter’s driveway I spy Bear’s Harley in mine. Things are definitely moving fast with him and Miranda.

“My family loves you,” Rooter says chin up, chest out after we dismount his bike. He’s beaming with pride.

“I think they’re pretty great, too.” I smile up at him. “I’m glad you took me.”

He scratches his head and rocks back and forth on his feet suddenly appearing nervous. “Isa told me she spoke with you.”

“You mean in regards to the significance of taking me to the Russo Sunday family dinner?”

He stands with his hands in his pockets. “Yeah.”

“I would’ve rather you told me.”

He kicks at a beer bottle cap on the floor. “I was afraid you would think it’s too soon and refuse to go.”

“Everything about us is happening really fast,” I admit, “but, it has been a year in the making. So…” my voice trails off.

Rooter closes the distance between us and leans his forehead on mine. “I want to give you all the things you don’t have. You have a family now, Sophie.”

His words nearly bring tears to my eyes. “I don’t know what to say.”

Rooter places his hands on both sides of my face and brings his lips to mine slowly for a tender, closed mouth kiss. I rest my hands on his sides and he places delicate kisses on my cheeks, nose, and eyelids. His breathing has picked up and when his lips find mine again, he skims my bottom lip with his tongue asking for entrance. He continues to hold my face in his hands and kisses me so. Very. Gently. His tongue caresses mine slowly, softly. It’s as though we’re making love with our mouths. I moan and fall flush against his body.

He takes me by the hand and leads me into his house. I’m left in a daze from his kiss and can’t take my eyes off of him. But Dopey comes loping toward us and jumps up on him, taking his attention away from me.

“I’ll be right back,” he gives me an apologetic smile and takes the dog outside.

I stand in place, unable to move, until they return. Rooter takes my hand once again and leads me to his room. He turns on his bedside lamp and stands before me for a long moment, staring longingly into my eyes. He pulls his shirt over his head then tugs at mine. I raise my arms up and allow him to pull it over my head. My stomach does back flips.

This is happening. Rooter’s going to make love to me.

There was a time, right after the rape when I thought I’d never want to be touched by any man, ever again. But in this moment, I’m absolutely sure I want Rooter. And even though we haven’t been together very long, I don’t want to wait. I crave the touch of his hands and the kiss of his mouth. I want to know what it feels like to be made love to. By him. I want to be his in every single way.

Rooter unclasps his belt slowly and winks, teasing me. God, if he only knew what that does to me. I lick my lips and back away so I can better see him. Never taking his eyes from mine, he unzips his jeans and lets them fall to the floor. My eyes go straight to his boxer briefs and I suck in a breath when I see his hardness straining against the black fabric.

He closes the distance between us, reaches around me with one hand and deftly unclasps my bra. I let it fall to the floor and he cups my left breast.

“So beautiful.” His jaw is set and lust blazes in his eyes.

His gaze falls to my bare chest and he flicks my nipple with his thumb. He brings his free hand to my other breast and does the same with it. I throw my head back and moan with pleasure as he caresses me with his hot hands.

“I love looking at you and touching you.”

He lowers his hands and unzips my jeans. He takes his time as he pulls them past my hips. I grasp his shoulders as I step out of them. His hands glide along the outside of my thighs as he stands back up to face me.

“I want you so much.” He strokes my face softly. “Are you ready?”

I nod.

“I need to hear the words, baby.”

“I’m ready,” I murmur.

Rooter pulls the comforter back and lays me on the mattress. He hovers over me, propped up on his elbows. His hardness is pressed against my center and he leans down and places a wet kiss on my neck, just below my ear and blows on my skin making me shiver.

I place my hands at the small of his back and arch my spine until my nipples graze his chest. He grinds into me before leaning down and gliding his tongue along the edge of my nipple.

“That feels so good,” I murmur and brush my fingers through his short hair.

“Yeah, baby,” he says huskily, “talk to me.”

He flicks the tip of my nipple with his tongue over and over again, sending shockwaves of desire straight to my core. He moves to my other breast and repeats the act.

“You’re perfect,” he groans and continues to work me with his mouth.

He makes his way down my body leaving a trail of wet kisses to my belly button. He looks up at me through hooded eyes and dips his tongue in. His eyes stay on mine as he licks me from one hip bone to the other. I bite my lip and moan.

Rooter maintains eye contact with me as he slides his fingers into my panties. He’s testing me, making sure I’m okay with this. Once he appears confident I’m ready, he slides his fingers lower. The instant he comes into contact with my clit, I throw my head back and moan. It feels so good. This is the touch I’ve been craving for so long.

His finger circles my clit slowly and I can’t contain the pleasure I feel. “God, yes,” I moan. “Keep doing that.”

He circles me a few more times and then moves his hand lower still, sliding his fingers up and down my wetness. He draws in a breath. “You’re so wet, babe. I want to taste you.”

I close my eyes in delicious anticipation of what’s coming next. Yes. I want him to taste me. I want to know what it feels like to have his mouth on me. There.

He pulls his hand out of my panties and with the way he says the word “babe” I know something is wrong. I look down and he’s holding up his hand for me to see. His fingers are covered in blood.

I clasp my hands over my face, mortified.
Oh God no! This cannot be happening.
I want to run away, but I’m frozen in place.

Rooter crawls up to my side. “Hey,” he whispers and pries my hands away from my face. I keep my eyes screwed shut. “It’s okay.”

Unsure what to do, I cry. I don’t have anything here to take care of myself with. Rooter picks me up and carries me into his bathroom. He puts me down and washes his hands.

“Tell me what you need. I’ll go to your house and get it.”

I look to the floor, squeeze my legs together, and clear my throat. “Tampons, clean underwear—the cotton kind—and something to sleep in. It’s all in my dresser.”

Rooter tilts my chin up and kisses me on the lips. “I’ll be right back,” he says and disappears from the bathroom.

While he’s gone, I hop in the shower to wash away the evidence of what just happened. I’m not sure how long I stay in the shower, but when I step out, everything I need is sitting on the counter and the bathroom door is closed. I take my time getting ready. The idea of facing Rooter after what happened is nearly unbearable. He has to be completely disgusted. I would be. I am. How did I let this happen? I always keep track of my period. Now, when I have a reason to keep track of it, I don’t.

I’m startled by a knock on the door. “Babe?” He speaks softly. “Everything okay?”

“No.” I answer honestly, sitting on the lid of the toilet with my head in my hands.

“Are you dressed?” He asks.

“Yeah.”

He opens the door, walks in and crouches before me. “Hey, don’t be embarrassed.”

I can’t make eye contact with him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. It’s a fact of life, babe. Not that big of a deal.” He stands up and holds his hand out for me.

I peer up at him for a moment. He doesn’t appear grossed out at all. How is that possible? I take his hand and follow him to the bed. He climbs in first and then holds his arms open for me to scoot in against him.

“Are you comfortable?” He asks and wraps his arms around me from behind. “Do you need anything? Tylenol, ibuprofen?”

“I’m okay,” my voice shakes.

“Close your eyes and sleep,” he murmurs and kisses the back of my head.