“Quite the opposite,” I said. “She’s just getting out from under it.” I picked up the mug he passed me and took a sip of the best hot chocolate I’d ever tasted.
Rafe
“I should go,” I said after we all had dinner together.
“Stay,” Bella said, rinsing a plate and then putting it in the dishwasher. “It’s cold outside. You’re still sick. And my parents aren’t even here.”
“Well, I’m going to bed,” Lianne said. “I’m beat. And maybe I can fall asleep before the sex noises start up. You two are as loud as howler monkeys.”
“Now there’s a sexy image,” Bella muttered.
“Goodnight,” Rafe said to her.
“Night,” she replied. “And I’m leaving our secret in the hall outside my room.”
“Please can I open my present?” Bella asked.
I ignored her to pull out my phone and dial home.
“Rafael,” my mother said. “Dónde estás?”
I felt my neck get hot as I answered her. “I’m at Bella’s, and I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
There was an uncomfortable silence. “That’s not right,” she said. “You should come home.”
As much as I really did not want to have this conversation, I switched to Spanish and persevered. “You have to trust me to handle myself, Ma. I know how it is. I know it as well as anyone. I couldn’t grow up in your house and not learn that it’s important to be careful.”
“I know you’re a smart boy, Rafe. But be a good one, too.”
“I am, Ma.” It was true, too. I may not do things just as she wished I would. But I had nothing to be ashamed of.
“I will see you tomorrow,” she said finally. “If you feel better, you can work the lunch shift.”
“Fine,” I chuckled. “See you then.”
Twenty minutes later I found myself on my knees on Bella’s bed, giving it to her from behind. My girlfriend had both hands braced against the big padded headboard. She’d turned her head over her shoulder so that I could kiss her while we fucked.
Sexiest thing ever. I wrapped my arm around her ribcage, holding her close enough that I could feel her heart pounding against my hand. I was sure nothing could be better than that. Nothing. Except…
Five minutes after that, we cuddled in a sweaty, post-sex haze in her bed. With my eyes slammed shut, I kissed her neck, her chin, her jaw… everything.
“We might have been loud,” she murmured. “But for the record, I do not sound like a howler monkey.”
“Mmm,” I said. Because that was all I was capable of saying.
“I feel the best I’ve felt all day,” Bella said, her smooth hand stroking my chest. “I think I’m cured. It’s a miracle.” Then she turned her head away from me suddenly and sneezed. “Spoke too soon.”
“Mmm,” I said again, holding her closer.
She tucked one silky knee between mine and sighed. “Can I have my Christmas present now?”
“Nope,” I said automatically. Although, it wasn’t the worst idea to give it to her early. I wanted her to be able to use it before school started again. “I’d love to hand it over, belleza. But then I wouldn’t have anything for you on Christmas.”
“Who cares? As long as you don’t propose to my sister, you’ll still be the best holiday boyfriend I ever had.”
I raised my head and laughed. “She is not my type. You are my type. I want the sassy, fierce sister with trust issues. You are ten times more fun than any other girl alive and hotter than my aunties’ pepper sauce.”
She blinked at me. “I changed my mind. I don’t even need the gift. Just tattoo that on my ass and we’ll call it even.”
I kissed her on her red nose. “Stay here a second.”
Somehow I heaved my carcass out of her excellent bed. In her bathroom, I made quick work of the condom. Then I tiptoed naked into the hallway to retrieve the shopping bag Lianne had left for me.
Bella clapped her hands when I came back to bed with the bag. But she stopped when she could read the side. “Paragon Sports?” Her eyebrows shot up. “You bought me running shoes! And Lianne tried them on, because we have the same size feet.”
“Good guess, but you’re wrong.” I slid the box out of the bag. It was wrapped in red and green paper, and it weighed more than a pair of running shoes. I’d decided I was fine with giving her the gift now. I could still make her a really romantic card for Christmas. And I’d make her open it in front of me, so I could watch her try to pretend like it was no big deal.