Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
I need to get to my room to take something to stop this torture. I hurry to finish and wash my hands so I can get back to my room. As I step up to the sink, I glance in the mirror.
I look a mess. Closing my eyes, I lean over the sink to splash some water over my face. When I straighten, I feel strong arms wrap around me.
I open my eyes to find Rico standing behind me. He leans in to nuzzle my neck. Once again, I feel him pressed into me.
“You still smell so good,” he says. Then he points to the countertop where my phone is now sitting. He must have brought it in here. “Your phone was buzzing.”
I reach for it and pick it up. It’s a text message from Emilia asking where I am, Fredrico Sr. is looking for me. My head starts to thump more as I realize we might be caught.
“Your father is looking for me,” I say to Rico.
“Relax, he doesn’t know you spent the night. I’ll get you to your room before he finds out you were here.”
“Emilia says—”
“Oni, I’ve got you,” he cuts me off. “Come on. Unless you’re thinking about taking a shower with me first, I’ll get you out of here now.”
I turn in his embrace to see if he’s serious. He gives me a mischievous smile. I frown at him and push at his shoulder.
“Come on. I don’t want your father getting the wrong idea about me.”
He chuckles lightly and takes my hand in his to lead me from the bathroom to collect my things. I grab my stuff, and he goes to the door to peek his head out. Once he sees it’s clear, he waves for me to follow him out. He takes my hand again as he rushes us through the hall toward my room, which is on the other side of the house.
He stops when we get to the catwalk that crosses over to the side my room is on. Rico peeks out over the rail then looks back at me. He dips his head to peck my lips, then gestures with his head for me to go.
I clench my shoes and jumper to my chest, then race across. Nervous, I hold my breath until I reach my room and I’m secure behind the closed door. Releasing a deep breath, I head for the bathroom to shower and get ready for breakfast, where Emilia said her uncle will be waiting for me.
I make quick work of tying up my braids as I murmur to myself about not doing so last night. I can see they are already getting fuzzy.
I might have to take them out soon. I wonder if I can find someone to do my hair while I’m down here. I’ll have to ask Uncle Claude if he can hook me up with someone one of his lady friends might know.
Once I’m showered, I race to find something to put on and get downstairs. After I’m dressed in a pair of leggings and a thin tank top, I shove on a pair of sneakers and dash out of the room with my phone in my hand.
When I get downstairs, I follow the voices that are floating through the main level. I enter the dining room to find everyone already seated. Mario is looking down at his phone as he scrolls through it.
Al and Ed are fussing among themselves. Emilia is talking to Fredrico Sr. while Rico is sitting lost in thought as he stares down at his empty plate.
Instead of taking the empty seat beside Rico, I go to sit beside Emilia. Rico gives me a scowl, but I ignore it. I don’t think I should sit next to him, not after last night.
“Good morning, Oni. How did you sleep last night?” Fredrico Sr. asks.
“Fine, sir. Thank you.”
“Um,” he murmurs. “I’m going to have the staff change out your linens, as clearly your accommodations weren’t to your liking—since you didn’t sleep in your room but Rico’s last night.”
Aldo and Eduardo scoff and almost spit out their juice. Rico begins to choke on his. Emilia sits with a grin on her lips. I glare at her, thinking she ratted me out.
“Don’t think Emilia told me. Rico, you have never been as slick as you think when trying to sneak girls in and out of your room. I’ve always known. This is just the first time I’m calling you on it.”
Rico
I pound at my chest as I cough from my orange juice going down the wrong pipe. I wasn’t expecting my father to blast me and Oni like that. I was never worried about him finding out, but I know Oni was.
She’s adorable as her cheeks start to glow with embarrassment. She will look anywhere but at me. I can no longer hold back my laughter.