Dalliance - Z.M. (An Exquisites Original Story)

74; Pretty When You Cry

Chapter 74

"I'm stronger than all my men.
Except for you."

(Raine's POV)

The bed sinks in as I roll over to my side to find it empty. A ghost of a smile tugs at my lips once I recall the repetitive activities of last night that went on for hours. Apollo and I had very well made up for lost time, almost all of it in the span of a few hours. We just couldn't get enough of each other, especially not after spending that much time apart, but we both have a strict routine to stick to, one that entails the utmost secrecy regarding our relationship.

I'm not surprised to see that he's no longer in my room, especially since he's usually up and conducting most of his business by six AM anyways. He is running on less than three hours of sleep and I'm not sure how he does it, but exhaustion refuses to faze a relentless beast like him.

The clock on my bedside reads eight thirty-four AM, which is definitely more sleep than I've gotten in days. With a content exhale, I slip out of my bedsheets and step out of bed only to stumble into the wall when I feel the deep ache between my thighs. He refused to take it easy on me last night, and while I didn't mind then, right now it's rather inconvenient.

When I finally make my way into the shower, I take my time to wash every trace of last night off of me before preparing for the day ahead. With the gala only a week away, we have very little time to secure the location of the party and plan our method of attack. I don't know how much anyone has gotten done since I came back home yesterday but I hope they are as efficient working without me as they are when I'm riding their ass.

I make my way downstairs when I hear that the house is relatively awake, much to my surprise. The dishes in the kitchen are clattering, the people in the house chatting, music from Ade's record player ringing through the halls like a peaceful melody. As soon as I step into the living room, everyone in the room has their attention on me.

"Raine!" Kai runs over to me, a concerned expression on his otherwise cool features. It occurs to me then that this is the first time he is seeing me after I passed out from the mission which means that he is definitely worried, but when I flash him a smile, he takes a breath of relief.

"How are you feeling?" He asks in a frenzy. setting both his hands on my face as he tilts my head to examine for any signs of damage. With a giggle, I look up at him with widened eyes.

"I'm okay," I pull his hands off of me. "It was just a bad trip. Nothing major."

"It didn't look like it," he huffs in frustration. "You were as pale as a fucking ghost, kid. I was scared shitless."

"Aw," I place a hand over my heart sarcastically. "Is that worry I hear in your voice?"

He scoffs with his signature brotherly masculinity and shoves me back by the arm. "You wish."

"Raine! Come eat," Valencia calls from the kitchen. "I made you pancakes. You like pancakes? Kai told me you did so blame him if you don't."

With a gleaming smile, I run over to the kitchen when I smell the pancakes that she has so thoughtfully made for me. She even went as far as to decorate them with blueberries and whipped cream, like I'm a ten year old kid on my birthday. I fucking love it.

"Who made you head chef? Why are none of the men cooking?" I ask her as I take a seat on the counter. She sets the plate in front of me, kissing the side of my head in an exaggerated manner at the mere sight of me there.

"Mi corazón," she sighs dramatically. "I thought you were dead."

I pick up the fork and begin ripping into my pancakes. I don't think I've eaten anything for hours and I definitely burnt my fair share of calories last night. "You can't get rid of me that easily, baby."