Someone to Love (27 page)

“Greedy boy! Preserve your energy for today, you don't know what you are in for…”

He lifted his eyes towards me, staring at me with adoration, while Primrose leapt up, grabbing a piece of bread from the edge of the table.

“Leave it! No, naughty girl!” I said sternly.

Primrose scurried under the cupboard, a high old cabinet which had been Bubu's hiding place for years. The stern tone in my voice made her freeze. She let go of it. As soon as I approached her, she darted out and grabbed that morsel of food again, shooting off to one side and running swiftly away.

“She has a temper!” Diego said, sipping tea.

“Quite. Did you hear my father?” I whispered, sitting down again. “I couldn't believe it.”

He frowned. “Why are you so surprised?” he asked, confused.

“Because I've always wanted a dog ever since I was a child and was never allowed one. But now I understand why,” I said, lowering my voice. “He did it to avoid arguing with my mother.” My throat tightened so much that swallowing almost made me sick.

“Your parents love you, even though in their own way. Let me tell you because I can see it clearly,” he concluded, getting up and starting to clear the table.

“It's not true”, I whispered, tilting my head.

“I swear.”

I was ready to argue, but the doorbell rang, interrupting my train of thought.

Surprised, I looked first at the entrance and then at Diego.

“Who could it be?” I asked in a small voice, so I wouldn't be heard.

He shook his head and shrugged.

“You know nothing as usual, huh?” I made fun of him, going to the door. “I'll go and see, but you take care of Primrose. I don't want her to run away.”

At the sound of my footsteps, Bubu ran to me, scraping the wooden floor with his claws. When I opened the door, I found my father standing in front of me. I felt very confused. He wore a nice tracksuit and a white baseball cap. He rested a hand against the wall and waved the other to get a little air.

“Dad?” I asked, almost stammering. “What are you doing here?”

Without asking permission he entered, looking for a bit of relief from the heat that had worn him out. He leaned forward and began to gasp. “Why does my visit amaze you?” he asked, with the little breath he had left.

“Why? Because you never came to see me, let alone in the morning!” I snapped, waving my arms.

“I was running nearby. I have to talk to you…” he straightened his back, pointing to the kitchen.

I nodded. “Welcome. Diego's here,” I added.

A tornado of exuberance hit us. Primrose had escaped from Diego's arms and rushed toward us. She stumbled over the edge of the rug and rolled right in front of my father's feet, belly up.

“You're a little rascal!” he murmured smiling, picking her up.

Primrose calmed down instantly, curling her muzzle into his face, licking him.

I laughed. “Come on, Dad, can I offer you something?”

He shook his head and sat down, still holding Primrose in his arms. “Diego, how are you?” he asked in a friendly manner.

The other looked at him in amazement. “All good. I never expected to see you again so soon…”

Bubu ran towards my father and stared at him. “Of course, some attention for you as well,” he said, stroking his head and running his fingers down his back. He looked back at me. “Your mother will kill me but I want to take her home,” he exclaimed in one breath.

I frowned. “What did you say?”

My father laughed and rubbed his forehead. “You think I'm crazy, right?” he continued. “I hate the idea of being retired and I get bored spending my free time playing tennis, golf, or going shopping with your mother. I need to become a kid again, you know…”

I was stunned, I couldn't understand.

“Did you accidentally hit your head coming here?” I asked, amused.

He took off his hat and placed it on the table. He waited a moment before answering. “Maybe you're right, but I still want to take Primrose home,” he added, looking around.

“But Mum…” I dared to say, before being interrupted.

My father stood up and with both hands grasped the back support of the chair. “Your mother will have to put up with it. I have spent my whole life making her happy, satisfying her every whim, now it's her turn to satisfy one of mine.” he sighed, before continuing. “As a child, I wanted to be vet as well, but I was forced to take another road,” he finished, looking up and meeting my eyes.

I gave him a knowing smile without saying another word. He smiled back.

I had always known that my grandparents' love of animals hadn't only rubbed off on me, my father had been affected by it too, but after marrying, he had turned his back on his passions. My heart had always known that…

“You're right, Dad,” I said gently.

“Have you checked her over? Is she all right?” he asked, talking about Primrose. He tickled her belly and she squirmed, biting his hand in play.

I shook my head. “Not yet, I'll take her to the clinic today to check her over and give her all the necessary vaccinations. You can come and pick her up tonight.”

Primrose gave a sort of snort and turned her attention to my father's shoelaces.

“Give her an education jab if you can,” he joked, and ran a hand through his hair. “Your mother will kill me if she ruins the house,” he said, laughing heartily.

It was funny to imagine my mother's wrath the moment Primrose crossed the threshold in my father's arms. I really wanted to be there, just to see her shocked expression.

“She'll accept it, if she loves you…” I limited myself to respond.

My father shook hands with Diego. “Treat my daughter well, or I'll be forced to use Primrose to destroy your shoes,” he threatened him, with a sincere smile.

“I will, it's a promise.”

I watched my father leave and close the door.

“You promised,” I said.

“I always keep my word. I moved hundreds of kilometres to find you.” he took my hand, pulling me towards him, and carefully placed a strand of hair behind my ear. “You're so beautiful you take my breath away.”

He took my breath away every time he touched me.

Diego put his thumb gently on my lips. “Are you happy with me?”

“You know seventh heaven? Well, I'm in ninth,” I whispered.

My fingers made their way up to his belt, but as soon as I touched the fabric of his trousers, Diego took my hand and kissed it. His gaze ran over my body with admiration, as if he were looking at a goddess.

I felt myself blush. My hand slipped from his grasp and grabbed the buckle of his belt. I pushed his trousers down to his knees. Diego took off his shirt and stood in his boxers. His hairless chest was strong and muscular; he had broad shoulders and tanned skin.

The air in the room was starting to get hot.

Without taking his eyes off mine, Diego undid the button of my jeans, slowly lowering the zipper.

I moaned with pleasure even before he touched me.

“I want you again,” he whispered, in a voice that was impossible to resist.

He kissed my neck while his hands followed the curve of my breasts, stroking every centimetre of my skin, and then down, holding my bare hips. To my surprise, he went behind me and forced me to spread my legs.

With one gesture, he took off my jeans and panties.

He grabbed my hair, holding it tight with his hand. His fingers slid down my back and forced me to bend forward.

To keep my balance, I leaned against the table. It was all so erotic… I hadn't experienced anything like this before in my life.

“You look beautiful,” murmured Diego, biting my shoulder, eager for my body and me.

I gasped with pleasure.

He embraced me in his muscular arms, held me tightly to him, and a moment later penetrated me from behind. He was inside me.

I felt intense heat waves from the tip of my toes up to my head. The world disappeared leaving no room for anything else but what I was feeling. I wanted to lose myself in those moments of eternity, go along with them and save them forever.

Diego grabbed my wrists with one hand, pinning my arms behind my back. His mouth tasted my skin and explored every corner of my body.

I was immobilized, ecstatic.

He began to push and move calmly. Short, delicate thrusts which supported my pleasure. Then, when the intensity increased, he freed my wrists and grabbed the edge of the table.

Diego slipped out of me, grabbed me by the hips and turned me to sit on the edge of the table.

He took off his trousers and went back inside me. I crossed my legs around his waist, squeezing with all the strength I had. I wouldn't let a single second of that moment slip by unnoticed.

Diego began accompanying my movements, now firm and decisive.

I couldn't hold it much longer. I groaned, out of control, panting against his ear. I scratched his back and sank my teeth into his shoulder, losing myself in the scent of our union.

Diego climaxed immediately after me and sat down beside me.

I could count our breaths, fast and intense. I closed my eyes, waiting for the beating of my heart to resume a regular pace and kissed him on the forehead.

“You're special. I'll not do anything to lose you,” he whispered softly.

I smiled, satisfied.

I picked up my clothes from the floor and let Diego go to the bathroom to freshen up. His back was perfect, broad shoulders showed off his slender figure.

“Don't worry, take all the time you need, I have another bathroom upstairs,” I said as I left, still naked.

I let the hot water run over my body, but I didn't use shower gel. I didn't want to wash off the scent of Diego's skin. I would have had plenty of time to wash it off later, but not just now. I put a hand on the wall and leaned my head under the water jet to relax. My body was still shaken by mild tremors.

I kept thinking about our union and the thought only re-awoke my desire. I wanted him again.

*

While visiting Primrose I thought about how many things could change in a few weeks.

I never imagined that my life would undergo such a radical change. Diego's arrival had transformed my days to the point of having to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I had rediscovered a woman who I thought was lost forever, but in reality had always been there waiting for me. Waiting to break through.

A sound caught me by surprise. I stood staring for a while at my mobile phone display, before answering the unknown number. The communication was interrupted, but shortly after the display was back ringing for the second time. I accepted the call, bringing the smartphone to my ear.

“Hello?”

“Mia, is that you?” asked a female voice.

“Yes, who is it?”

“I'm Martina's mother. Please, can you come?” she implored me in tears. “My daughter is very ill and asked to see you and Casper. I beg you, help me. It could be her last wish and… oh, my God.” Uncontrollable sobs followed. “I can't think straight. I just know that I want to make her happy in this terrible moment.”

It was like hearing my own voice
that day
screaming to the doctor to help me, to save
her
.

“Don't worry, I'll be right there. Wait for me at the entrance, and we'll think of a plan.”

“I'm afraid, Mia, I'm terrified of losing her.”

“No, you won't lose her.” I said, full of hope, as I went to get Casper.

For the second time, I was having to deal with all the emotions that had turned me into a weak and broken woman.

I had the chance to erase forever the sense of guilt. I had to correct my past mistake: not being able to protect my daughter.

I woke Casper from a deep sleep. His eyes were alight with curiosity as soon as he saw me, and he came forward immediately. His fur was growing now and he was losing the battered aspect he had a few weeks before.

When I arrived at the hospital, I found Martina's mother waiting for me on a bench outside, her head in her hands. Her long brown hair fell over her face, partially hiding it.

I touched her gently. “What are you doing here?”

She dried her eyes and blew her nose. “I'm a coward. My daughter is in a room with her heart about to stop and I'm out here, unable to accept the situation and watch her dying. I don't understand, until this morning she was happy and radiant, and now she's fighting for her life.”

“You're not a coward. No mother is ready to say goodbye to her child, no one. You're not going to say goodbye. I can feel it,” I said, bringing my hand to my chest. “Martina will have that heart. She will!” I said in one breath.

I squeezed my arm around her shoulders. “Come on, let's go.”

At that moment, I wasn't afraid of what would happen; I just knew I had to do it. Anything to make that little girl happy.

Walking distance separated us from the entrance when I saw a familiar figure. Roberta.

“Come, come here,” she said, waving her arms in the direction of a back door.

I was really surprised because she was risking her job to help us. “Run inside at once, I don't want you to lose your job.”

She shook her head, her mouth widening into a broad smile. “Better to get sent home than to work with regrets.”

I made no objections; certain choices were taken from the heart.

“We can hide the dog in the linen basket. Do you think he'll be good?” she asked.

I sighed. “I don't know, but we have to try.”

Roberta disappeared and re-appeared inside the building shortly after pushing a trolley with a shelf.

I went down to Casper's height. “I only ask you one thing: I know it's difficult for you, but I care a lot. Lie down here and be quiet, ok?” I tapped the steel shelf and he sat on it. “Now, I'll cover you with this sheet, but you're a good dog, and you won't make a fuss, will you?” I spoke to him gently and he met my eyes, before disappearing under the white fabric.