Infernal Passions

Chapter 7 - Together

Lili woke with a start. She was alone and confused in an unfamiliar room. It took her a second then she realized she was in Terzo's bed. What an absolutely fucked up few days it had been. Wait. Was is still Monday? Shit.

"You ok? You looked panicked." He was standing in the doorway, wearing a fresh pair of pants and a white shirt opened at the neck. He looked gorgeous.

"Is it still Monday? How long did I sleep?"

"Yes, it's 6:00. You only slept for two hours. Why? have somewhere to be?" He asked.

"We'll, yeah, kinda. I have to work in the morning." She saw his face fall and immediately recognized the same look from the other night. "However, I could run home, feed my cat, grab my work clothes and come back. Would that work for you?"

His lit up. "Yes! Of course it would! Like I would tell you to go home." He laughed.

"Do you want to come with me?" She asked.

His eyes clouded over. "I, um, don't leave the house Lili."

"Ever? Really? Why?" She asked concerned.

"I mean, I go outside in my backyard because it's private. But not in public. People...stare." He said looking away.

"Because of your mask?" Terzo nodded. "Take a ride with me. For real. I don't live far from here. " She walked over and took his hand, squeezing it gently. "You can meet Void and see where I live. It's a quiet complex with a lot of young, artsy people. You won't stand out at all, I promise." She looked up at him, "Please?"

He smiled down at her, touching her face. "For you, I will." He kissed her lips softly. "I must really like you I guess. I don't do this for anyone."

"I guess so!" She said, playfully pinching ass as she tried to pass by him.

He scooped her into a hug, laughing. "You keep doing that and we won't be going anywhere!"

They climbed into her SUV, Terzo looking at all the gadgets with wonder.

"Been awhile since you've been in one of these?" Lili asked, amused.

"Uh huh." He laughed. "A lot has changed!"

They drove in comfortable silence, Terzo taking in the scenery as it passed.

Lili broke the quiet. "So let me ask you something. The song on the radio earlier, coincidence or your doing?"

"That was me. Did you like it?"

"I'm here aren't I?" She laughed. "How about the dreams?"

"Most definitely me." He said grinning at her. "Did you like THAT?" He asked seductively.

She smacked his leg and laughed. "What do YOU think?" A hint of blush creeped up on her cheeks.

"And before you ask, the rain was me too." He said sheepishly. "I was upset."

"Upset? There was flash flooding all over the city!" She exclaimed.

"Well, it could have been worse!"

"How so?"

"I could have been angry and made a volcano erupt downtown!" They both laughed at the visual.

They pulled into her assigned spot. She shut her car off and looked over at him. "You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be, I guess." He said with a touch of anxiety.

They walked to her front door hand in hand. Thankfully it was a quiet evening and saw no one on the way to her third floor apartment. She reached her door, turning the key in her lock. She could hear a plaintive meow from the other side. They walked in and were promptly assaulted by a large black cat.

"Void! You act like I've been gone for days!" She laughed, scooping him up giving him a cuddle. He purred loudly.

"He's adorable." Terzo said, scratching his head. "Does he like strangers?"

"Either he'll love you or hate you. There is no in between. Wanna hold him while I get my things together?"

"Sure, what's the worst that could happen?" She handed Void over to him. Terzo was a natural, holding him up against his chest and murmuring softly in his ear. He relaxed and purred even louder.

"I think he likes me Lili. Ow!" He laughed.

"He's making biscuits on you! He only does that to me! You're a keeper. You passed the cat test!" She kissed Terzo on the cheek as she passed him.

He kissed him on the head, following Lili into her bedroom. She was right, her place was tiny but tastefully decorated. He watched her rifle through her closet looking for a work outfit, getting oddly aroused at the normalcy of what she was doing. He plopped Void down on her bed and went over to her.

He wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling her neck. She smelled so good.

"Terzo, what are you doing?" She giggled.

"Nothing." He said as her brushed her neck with kisses. She turned around, wrapping her arms around his waist. She looked up at him and smiled.

"What are you thinking about at this very second?"

He bit his bottom lip. "How happy I am that I'm here with you? How happy I am that you came back to me? Do you have any idea how much you already mean to me Lili?"

"I don't. Why don't you tell me?"

"Lilian, you are the light in my life, the one who illuminates the darkest corners of my soul. Your smile is a beacon of hope that guides me. When I am with you, I feel alive and whole, like I have found my true home. You have taught me what it means to love and be loved, and I am forever grateful for the gift of your presence in my life."

"Terzo, I'm beginning to think you might be in love with me."

He leaned down and kissed her. "Lili, you're like my
second-half. You're the missing piece of my soul I've been searching for my entire life. I feel like I've known you forever. I love you so very much."

"I...love you too. I can't imagine my future without you in it. I just want to make you as happy as you've made me."

He wrapped her in a tight hug. "Let's go back to my place. I'll fix you dinner and show you around."

"I'd like that." She said good night to Void and locked the door behind her, eager to see where the night would lead.