Violinist (CENTURIES series: Book #4)

8

"Mel? When are you gonna fall in love?" Dan asked me as we laid in my bed that morning, snuggling together like two bunnies. Kyle was in Michigan to visit his family for the rest of the weekend and was landing tomorrow first, so Dan was as lonely as me for the time being.

"I can't even fall asleep." I mumbled and snuggling further into his chest. Just like me, Dan had trouble falling asleep without another warm body. Six months with me being without one, and with Dan being a picky lover, snuggling had become a regular thing for us.

Dan sighed and rested his chin on top of my hair, getting buried in the thick curls. "Mmm. Is that the shampoo I bought you?"

"Yeah. I like it."

"Me, too. Can I borrow it?"

"Sure. Just buy me more."

"Deal."

A few minutes of silence passed.

"So..." He begun in a voice I knew what topic he was going for. "He hasn't come back since?"

I had finally told Dan about Tony. The whole story. About how he had saved me that night. How he had brought me to the hospital. How I had found him the next day to say thank you. How he had showed up here to get the violin, but changed his mind and left without it. Dan had been in shock for about two minutes, but then had asked about how he had found my address. To that, I truly had to admit I didn't know. Maybe he had looked me up somehow? I didn't know.

I sighed and shook my head at Dan's question, then exhaled quietly. "I didn't count on it either."

"I just don't understand it," Dan murmured sleepily. "The guy saved you from getting raped... literally beat the son of a bitch to a pulp with his bare hands, and yet if he said he wanted to destroy the violin, then why didn't he? I mean he clearly had the strength to do it."

Because, a part of me thought... He didn't really want to destroy it. He hated it, but he didn't know why.

I frowned a little. Could that be the truth? The small bits of information I'd gathered were all braiding together to one thing, but I wanted him to tell me. Or, well... I hoped he would, but he hadn't come back. It had been almost five days.

"You start work tomorrow," Dan decided to voice when I didn't respond. "You ready for that?"

The swelling on my face had now completely vanished, and whatever bruising was left could be covered by makeup. The small cut was still there, but in the dim light of the club it would be practically invisible. As for my hands and knees, they had only been scraped and had healed quickly. Thank God.

"Yeah," I therefore replied. Physically, I was ready, but mentally, I wanted to wait another week. But I couldn't. Carlos wasn't a patient guy. One week off had been a grace from his side. One more would get me laid off.

"Just make sure you don't overwork yourself," Dan said, stifling a yawn. He rolled onto his back and scrubbed a hand down his torso, rippling over his abs that always had my mouth watering. "Don't try and be brave. If you need a break or want to go home, just say so."

"I promise." I replied and snuggled up to his side, placing my hand on his chest. He was always warm. Like a radiator. I was always cold. I saw goosebumps spread on his skin as my frozen hand made contact with it.