Between The Flames ⚜️Il Paradosso Book Two⚜️

Chapter thirty-six

Thunderstorms.

There was nothing magical about them.

They were disconcerting. It was a way of Mother Nature expressing her anger through the violent rattling and ear-blaring acoustics on earth's atmosphere.

The gleaming light burst into the room through the large windows of the resort, forming shadows along the chalky walls.

The force of the rain hitting against glass jerked me out of my slumber, and my arm glided across the sheets, only to be met with an empty space beside me.

My heart performed a series of thuds when the crackling of thunder struck again. The lights flickered as the electricity cut off, filling every inch of square with darkness.

I jumped to the sound of my own startled gasp when three very loud knocks came from the far end of the retreat.

I hesitated, breathing heavily through my nose. Was it Antonio? Had he wandered off while I was asleep and somehow locked himself out of the resort?

Another knock made my stomach quiver, and I leaped out of bed, frozen in place with the swift drumming in my ears.

There was shuffling behind the doors and indistinctive chattering, muffled by the roaring and tumultuous storm. I leisurely padded from the bedroom, to the open area, feeling my way around the back of the grey chaise longue Antonio and I had snuggled on hours prior, listening to the drizzle as it had commenced.

"Open the door, Adriana."

My lips parted, eyes widening to the familiar voice on the other side.

"Are you afraid of a little rain?"

I nodded my head, tugging at the front of his shirt, draping one bare leg over him. My eyes drifted to the dark grey clouds, forming above the blue water. His chest rumbled softly, his lips lifting at the edges. I squeezed closer into his side, and his arm encircled my waist, rolling me over so that I was laying flat on my back on top of him.

He inhaled a deep breath into my neck as I watched the raindrops, beating against the clear glass. My fingers traced the lines of ink on his bicep, pressing a soft kiss before resting my cheek on it. I loved the way his skin felt, flush against mine. It was warm, soothing. Almost serene.

"What's your biggest fear?"

I knew what... but couldn't say it. I didn't want him to discern just how great of a fear it actually was. It resided deep within me like a subliminal coercion.

"Forgiving Isak. It would mean that I side with him as opposed to my mother, and I never really forgave her."

Another stream of light beamed through the see-through glass to my right, allowing me to trace my way to the door.

The confliction was stirring in my stomach, but as the darkness engulfed me again, I twisted the lock.

I was immediately met with the heavy downpour and the smell of rain, mixed with the scent of cologne that whirled its way through the entrance.

"I would ask you the same, but I'm more than certain you wouldn't tell the truth. Made men never unveil vulnerability to their wives. It conveys weakness."

Another laugh reverberated from him, and I switched position, facing forward now. Our noses were nearly touching, his eyes burning into me like a thousand suns.

"You've learned quite a few things, haven't you?" he teased, grazing his teeth along my chin, and I lifted myself up, straddling him while balancing my hands on his broad shoulders.