Delgano: A Dark Contemporary Interracial Romance

The stress dissolved from her face.

He glanced behind her head just as the last light in the house went out and faced forward, relaxing in his seat.

CHAPTER

ELEVEN

During the day, he trained, but his afternoons and evenings belonged to Sayeda and her brothers. Then, late at night, he and Sayeda spent time alone—eating, talking, kissing, touching, rubbing—until he returned to the villa.

Life had never been this good, so he knew terrible shit was bound to be on its way. But, until then, he would ride the wave of the closest he’d come to contentment in thirteen years.

The only downside was leaving her.

If he could have things his way, he would move her and her brothers to the villa for their safety and to have her near.

Tonight, like most nights, he lay awake in bed. The open curtains allowed the moon to beam directly onto his face, and he felt petty enough to blame the intrusion for his insomnia, but his thoughts wouldn’t let him.

They had won.

Of course, they would have eventually figured out how to break him. They had apparently been following his movements for what appeared to be years. As far as he could tell, the only thing they’d gotten wrong about him was his reaction to Sayeda. Usually, he went after women like Hannah, but it made him think about what Dr. Bentley had said about him needing a connection to perform.

“I know you’re there,” he said, staring at the open doorway. “Why are you hiding?”

Hannah hadn’t shown up for the last several nights, and he knew it wouldn’t have been long before she returned. Unfortunately for her, he’d developed a severe case of tunnel vision.

“Close the curtains, Adrían.”

He sat up in bed.

It wasn’t Hannah.

“You want to preserve the mystery, remember?” Sayeda added. “Close the curtains. No lights, no lamp.”

“Are the boys safe?”

A beat passed.

“I love that you asked about them, but yes, they’re safe.”

“Good.”

He hopped from the bed and closed the curtains, blanketing the room in complete darkness. She entered then, which he only knew because he heard what sounded like slippers slapping against the hard floor.

Somehow, they found each other in the darkness. He felt her chin against his T-shirt, which meant she was looking up at him, and he wished he could have seen her eyes, at least.

“I have something,” he said. “Will you wait here?”

She nodded. “Sure.”

He left and returned with a chocolate fondue station and treats for dipping. Sooner or later, they would have to pick up healthier habits, but they were in a situation most people would never find themselves in. The fact that they could unearth bits of fun and solace had to mean something.

“So, I’m going to try to set this up in the dark,” he announced. “It’s a fondue station.”

“Adrían, no. Use the lights. I’ll step out.”

He set the appliance on the floor. “I’ve got it.”

“Have you never seen the roaches here?”