Chapter 16

This is the first time I have been alone in this house. This is the first moment I have had to myself to reflect, to think and to think just… be. From the moment we got here my husband has not allowed more than a few feet between us and I am not complaining. I have turned into a stage ten clinger and not because he rescued me like people will be thinking, but because he is something just for me.

When his hands touched me in that place, before I even saw his face, I felt him and heard his voice. The fear in me began to recede before I knew I was safe with him. It was like something in my soul recognized him. And I know a psychologist would call it hero worship and tell me it"s not real and in the beginning the first few days, that could have been the truth. The difference is, I have always believed in love at first sight and although this wasn't that, it is pretty damn close, and I am not going to let anyone tell me different.

However, being alone is something I have never had before. I am not oblivious to the parallels of my father's house and this one. My father wouldn't let me go past the garden. Larabee won't let me pass the compound. My father wouldn't let me have friends. All my friends will be ones my husband knows and trusts. My father surrounded me with guards who carried out his orders like drones. Larabee has a compound full of watchful eyes who would carry out his orders just the same. So, what's the difference, you ask? My father did it because he is a control freak who had a plan for my life that had nothing to do with what I wanted. Larabee, he does it to keep me safe and because he loves me. That makes the restrictions worth it.

It hasn't been all in the house. Four days ago, we laid in bed talking about our life and childhood as usual and when I mentioned to him all of the things I have never done, his face was full of indignation on my behalf and then resolve.

"Be ready in twenty minutes baby and wear something comfortable." He says, before pulling out his phone and walking out of the room. Confused, I go into the closet, grab a pair of jean shorts, a plain white tank top which I put a matching jean jacket over, my canvas sneakers which I find I like a lot and brush my hair into a ponytail. Since he said it was comfortable, I am assuming I don"t need a face full of makeup.

Dressed and still curious, I walk into the living room and drool is my immediate reaction. This man is gorgeous in a pair of basketball shorts and a white t-shirt. Standing next to him are two men I don"t recognize, and it makes me slightly uneasy, but for his presence reminding me I am always safe.

"Piccola, come to me." He holds open his arms and I run right into them. Immediately my body relaxes and when he kisses my head I realize he read my tension and sought to ease it. "I got you, baby. Always." he whispers so only I can hear. Nodding, he turns me, so I am facing the two men. "Satine, this is Hero and Juke. They are your guards only assigned to be near you when I am aware you will be away from here. Fellas, this is your ticket to life. She comes back alive, you stay alive. She gets injured, taken, lost, you die. Understood?" My body buzzes at the level of raw power his words elicit. I should be appalled right? Or turned off somehow with the threat to someone else's life, but I am not. My husband would do anything to protect me, and this just confirmed it.

"Understood boss."

"Excellent. Now, my wife and I are going on a date. You two are going to be our drivers and guards because I would like my focus, solely on her." The word date sends currents of excitement through me. I am going on a real date. Oh my gosh.

"Seriously?" I ask him, almost scared to believe him.

"Yes. Talking with you today, I realized I am no better than your father if I keep you in a gilded cage. The rules are still the same, but as your man and husband, I have to also show you the world." And so maybe I overreact by bouncing up and down giggling, but I am so freaking excited.

Our first stop is to the Miami Beach open market. When we pull up and get out, I am amazed. It is simply breathtaking. I have never seen so many cultures in one place, showcasing their talents, cuisine and ability to sow.

We spend at least an hour sampling food and drinks. I might be a little biased, but my favorite was the Fricasé de pollo with a side of Congrí. It reminds me of Cuba. Tummies stuffed once I have overloaded on dessert we ate from a nice old lady named Adoncia, which is fitting, Larabee takes me on a boat ride over the ocean just soaking up the sun. It was one of the single best days of my life. Before we walked back to the car, the nice lady with the pastries took a picture of us to commemorate this day.

The next day he wakes me, tells me to put on a swimsuit from the options he has put on the island in the walk-in closet and meet him downstairs in ten minutes.

"Are we going somewhere else today?" I ask super ready and hyped up on excitement and I am practically bouncing on my toes. Nodding, he hands me a breakfast sandwich with a protein shake.

"Yes. We will be out of the way of food for a while, so I want to make sure you eat." I take a bite of the sandwich and realize what I am eating.

"Oh my gosh. Where did you get this?' Currently rolling around in my mouth is Pastelito de guayaba. It is a pastry filled with a Guava paste and this one has cream cheese in it. Smiling, he wipes my mouth for me.

"The lady we met yesterday, when you were petting her dogs, she told me you remind her of her daughter. So vibrant and full of life but haunted. She wanted to make you smile so she offered to have some delivered to the house daily. I in turn offered her a job as our pastry chef to which she agreed." Forgetting I have a mouthful of sweets, I launch myself into his arms and thank him for showing me what it is like to be cared for. "Don't thank me for doing something that gives me purpose, angel." I love this man.

We end up in the middle of the ocean with a private guide, snorkeling. I thought I had seen real beauty but this, this is something else. Under the water are colors of life and wonder. "If you look directly to your left in that corral is a starfish."

"Oh my gosh Larabee, I see it. Look." Pointing to the tiny little thing moving its limbs back and forth.

"Oh that fella is little." Larabee says picking it up. I look at the guide who smiles and nods.

"They are friendly, and it is ok to touch them." Curious, I ran my fingers over his skin and was pleasantly surprised to find it spongy and not porous or bony like I expected.

Before I realize it, four hours have passed, and I am starving. Like the attentive man he is, he knows it before I say anything, and we are getting out of the water. We wrap up, and the guys drive us to a little villa down the shore. I watch as they pull out bags and such and we follow them into the house. "Where are we?" I ask him, looking at the tiny house.

"Just somewhere to stay for the night. A friend of mine, Riel, is having a party for his wife and he invited us to come."

"Oh. His name sounds like the chef we had back in Cuba."

"Ha. Riel a chef? Yeah, he will get a kick out of that. No, he is a retriever like me, but he is Cuban. His family is from Bauta." The entire time he has been talking all I have been doing is picturing him with his clothes off. Something about these last few days have made me extra horny.

"So how much time do we have?" I asked him, dropping the straps of my swim top."

"That depends. What do you have in mind?" he loosens his trunks, and they fall to the floor. His cock is hard and strained looking letting me know I am not the only one who is feeling so ready to fuck.

"Everything." I undo the strings on the side of my bottoms and lay back on the bed. Well, we were late for the party.

Smiling as the memories move on, I grab a cup of tea, open the back door and look up when I hear the telltale beep of the door chime which is part of the alarm system that goes to the main house and to Larabee's phone.

Right now, I am staring at the garden, breathing in the flowers and the fragrant wind. The sun is shining on my skin and my eyes are closed. Right now, in this moment, is the first time in my life where I see possibilities and a future.

I spend another half hour or so outside before coming back in to shower and get dressed. When I put my cup in the sink I hear my cell phone that he got me beginning to ring. Smiling, I shake my head at the ringtone he gave himself.

"Hey you!" I say, walking into the bedroom.

"Hey angel. How was your morning tea? Are you enjoying the time to yourself?" My body lights up whenever he calls me that.

"I am actually. But, I was about to shower and go up to the other house. See who"s around. Since this is my home now I want to get comfortable around everyone. You know?"

"That sounds like a good idea angel. Only, don't shower. I left you on edge for a reason and I want it to stay that way. Tell me you understand." My nipples bead at the tone of his voice. There is something about him telling me what to do and protecting me that makes me feel all tingly.

"I understand, Lar." I wonder if he can tell I am basically panting on this side of the phone. My body temperature has gone up a hundred degrees.

"That's my good girl." Shit. I am trying to squeeze my clit by clamping my legs together, but no amount of artificial pressure is going to fix what he controls.

"When are you coming back?" He chuckles and clicks his tongue.

"Are you whining and pouting, Piccola?" Hell. I think I am.

"No. Just asking a question." Now, I sound bratty.

"I will be back in a few hours, greedy. I have to go. Be good, baby. I love you."

Now my nipples are tingling. "I love you too." As soon as he hangs up I take a deep breath and exhale.

Since I can"t shower and I am already dressed from this morning, I decide to just grab some sandals, the house keys and my phone and I am out.

I love the walk to the front. Some might imagine it to be a normal walk up a gravel driveway, but they have adorned it with gardens and manmade lakes and birdbaths. It"s gorgeous and scenic.

Once I get to the main house, I am unsure if I should ring the bell or walk in. I spend too much time debating I guess because the next thing I know Aurora is opening the door smiling at me.

"Couldn't decide if you wanted to come in or not?" I shake my head trying to not offend her.

"No it's not that. I didn't know if I should ring the bell or not."

"Ah I see," she says moving out of the way and nodding for me to come in. "Let's clear this up now. You're family now. Feel free to walk in. This space is family space. All business is handled in the southernmost part of the downstairs. You are welcome there as well, but it is pretty boring. The front and middle of the house is the family/living space where we converge, eat, laugh, play, watch movies and overall hang out. Anything private takes place in my family suite which is on the third floor. The middle floor is for overnight guests." Wow.

"Okay. Good to know."

"Now, you are just in time. My two sisters and both my cousins in law are here. We are having an impromptu girls" day."

"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude. I will just go back to…" I begin to flee suddenly hit with a set of nerves and like I am being another. I can feel the tears forming and I am mortified. I turn quickly to go back when her hand latch son to my wrist. I can't bring myself to look at her.

"Satine, please look at me." Shaking my head I continue to cry in silence, hit with so much emotion and shame because I don't know how I am supposed to be in public. I never had the experience of being around others. I have been a nuisance my entire life that now I feel like a bug no matter where I am. Well, except for when I am with Larabee. I know I fit with him. I know where I belong. "Satine please." Slowly I look into her eyes and see compassion. "You are never a bother or an intruder. You are my family and always welcome. All I meant was that you are in time to join us. The girls have been dying to meet you, but Cain wanted to keep you all to himself for a while." That brings a smile to my face. I know she is telling the truth because he said it out loud.

"I'm sorry. Being around people that are not men with guns is new to me."

"It's okay. No apologies needed. Let's go have fun."

Walking into the room I am not sure what to expect but what I find are four other women all smiling and doing very normal things like looking at girly magazines, polishing their nails and sipping what looks like iced tea.

"Ladies, I would like for you to meet Satine, Larabee's wife. Satine are my sisters, Diamond and Emerald and my cousins, Daffodil and Lily." All of them perk up and call to me waving and welcoming me. I never realized I was shy until now, because right now, all I want to do is hide behind my husband like a kindergartner. Instead I quietly say hello and follow Aurora to a seat.

The first thing I notice is that all but one of them is pregnant right now. Emerald is the only one not currently sporting a bump.

"Do you want some tea?" Lily asks.

"Sure. Thank you."

"So, how is being a newlywed?" Diamond asks, smiling and wiggling her eyebrows. I giggle and then stop myself feeling a little self-conscious until Daffodil starts kissing the glass, mimicking making out and all of us are in a full-blown belly laugh. It feels good to laugh with young ladies like me.

"So are all of you due around the same time?" I ask them, sipping my tea.

"Yeah, give or take a month or two."

"Except for me." Emerald says. "I just had number two. My husband and I are done for the next few years until he is done with school."

"That makes sense." I nod, looking at everyone else.

"Do you and Larabee want babies?" The question makes my heart go pitter patter. The truth is I want them more than anything other than some words spoken in the heat of the moment, I don't know if he really does or not.

"I don't know. We are just getting used to being married, you know." They all nod. We begin talking again and then some cute little pixie comes down the stairs.

"Ro, I'm hungry," the cute little girl says yawning.

"Alright Bella. First, come in here and say hi to the ladies." She runs into Aurora's arms and waves her hands at all of us. "Bella this is E.E's wife, Satine." My eyebrow raises at the name. "She couldn't say Larabee when she younger, so she called him E.E., and it stuck."

"She married Uncle E.E.?" She gives me scrutinous look with her cute little scrunched up face.

"She did," Aurora says, nodding her head.

"Does that mean she is my auntie?" Aurora looks at me waiting for me to answer the question, putting me on the spot in front of all the other ladies who are intently listening to this conversation.

"If that is what you would like, Bella." She puts her little finger on her chin like she is thinking and then she nods her head.

"That sounds good. Can I eat now Ro?" We all giggle at her very grown-up response before she is sent into the kitchen with the cook.

Before I know it has been three hours and then the phone rings and Aurora looks at me and smiles. When she hangs up the phone she simply says, "heading in for the night." Immediately my body begins to hum knowing Larabee is on his way home. Anxious and so damn horny, I say bye to the girls and make my way back home. I need him and I don't want to wait for it.