“Sleep a little longer, Little Red. It is still early,” he says as he looks into my eyes. “Are you sure you are feeling okay? You look a little pale?” His concern for me is new and welcome, but I begin to worry.

I should tell him.

He looks at me, waiting for me to say something, and I know that this is the time to tell him. To tell him about my lump, about my life being on a timeline, about everything. But as I open my mouth, I can’t. I just can’t.

“I’m fine. Please don’t worry about me. That was the best wakeup call I have ever had,” I say with a smile, while on the inside, I am not sure if I am about to faint or throw up. All I can hope is that whichever one is going to happen, it doesn’t occur until he is gone. Clearly, I have overdone it again and the bleak reminder starts to haunt me.

“I will see if Maria is feeling better to check on you later,” he grumbles before leaning in and kissing my lips, then slowly retreating to the door.

“I’ll be seeing you later, Little Red,” he whispers.

“Be safe,” I reply to him, and he nods before walking out the door.

I lie there in the quiet, taking big breaths, until my heart beats slow. I’m his, I want to be his, but it is all going to be over before it really begins. I already am feeling my body going. I’m always tired, and my appetite is no longer as ravenous as before. I feel the cold more than ever.

I feel terrible not sharing it all with him, but I am in bliss with him. For the first time in my life, I feel what it means to want someone and them want you.

I know Dante told me to relax, but I need a shower and something to eat. Because if this feeling doesn’t subside soon, then Dante is going to know something is wrong.

26

Dante

I walk out of the bedroom door, leaving Little Red in bed wrapped up in my sheets and wishing that I can lie there with her. Her sweet naked body wrapped around mine is all I will think about today.

Her move to straddle me on the armchair this morning surprised me, and I am glad to see her coming out of her shell a little more. She must be feeling more comfortable, and I do like this confidence that she has, especially when I get to start my day with her on top of me or her mouth on me.