I am no one, I'm nothing

Capitulo Ocho

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Aldonza asked him, breaking away for a gasp of air as he slowly maneuvered his legs over her slim torso.

"I've never been surer of anything in my life, mi gato." Pedro crooned. He muddied it with a grunt as he bent at the waist to kiss her lips, her face, the collar of her airy nightgown. His wound was still fresh, swollen, red skin puffing up around the dirty stitches. As he moved, the gnarled, black thread seemed to tear away from the flaps of skin, loosening themselves with little give. Pedro straightened so that he was sitting on Aldonza's lap, her knobby, exposed knees cushioning his buttocks as he slowly leaned back, his arms bringing her up to his exposed chest in a strange type of abdominal crunch.

His hands held onto her back protectively as the two kissed, breaking with soft, wet smacks that created a tune with the floating air of birds' songs that ascended through the open window. A sliver of sunlight slunk through the rough curtain, lighting the room with just enough of its orangey glow so that their silhouettes could be made out. They slowly tangled together and their kisses became faster, sloppier, their motions more intense and heated. "Be careful," Aldonza whispered as Pedro removed her nightgown, staring with concern at the stab wound on his abdomen.

"I'd be nothing but with something as precious as you." Pedro told her, winking before slowly bringing his hips forward and easing his way against her, within her, until they were one. Aldonza sighed with appreciation, her neck tipping back as Pedro rocked against her, gentle and soft and tender and so unlike the first time he had slept with her. The first time had been a blur, motivated by greed and domination and desires that kindled a devastating flame. This time, though-this time it was gentle, deliberate; every move was made with a sole intent, a purpose. It was sweet, calm, and even as they moved quicker, as desire overtook their figures, Pedro spoke gentle in her ear, cooing and kissing until they were sky high, touching heaven as one entity. Slowly they came down, a heap of woven arms and pure bliss. "Have I shown you how much I care?" He asked softly as he secured her against his side, her soft, heated breath ticking his bare chest, his peaked nipple.

"I've always known." Aldonza confessed, tangling her legs in his and tickling the back of them with her toes. "I had to convince my head that my heart-for once-was right."

"Ahh, the age old debacle," He sighed with reverence. "It's driven some to madness. I'm glad you weren't a victim of insanity." Pedro leaned down to place an affectionate kiss on her forehead.

"So when are we going to act?" Aldonza questioned after a few solid moments of silence, of intertwining fingers, of gazes of love and adoration and pure desire.

As Pedro thought of this, an unrefined knock harped against the wooden door, shaking it from the forceful motion. It opened without warning as Aldonza squealed, pushing herself into Pedro's side. Fernando let out a surprised yell before stepping to the opposite side of the door. "My apologies, mi hija, Pedro. I didn't know-"

"Está bien." Pedro murmured as he picked up a rough blanket and threw it over Aldonza's naked form, slowly rising and pulling on his trousers. "It's about time I check on my men, begin work for the day. I'll-we'll discuss later, mi gato." He maneuvered around the innkeeper and out the door, but not before tossing her a few gold coins. The distinctive clicks of his boots echoed down the hallway until they were no longer audible, music to her ears.

"Aldonza, may I-" The innkeeper asked with an apologetic tone.

Pulling on her airy nightgown, Aldonza consented, and the old man teetered in, his eyes downcast and his cheeks colored with an embarrassed blush. "Lo siento, hija, I didn't know-"

"It's fine." Aldonza murmured roughly, stooping at the windowsill where her shard of mirror was leaned against the dirtied glass of the window. "What is it you want?"