The Irresistible Bundle (87 page)

"Breathe muñeca" Diego softly chided. Everyone held their breaths as they watched the monitor beep erratically. "Whatever you're stressing about.... It doesn't matter okay? We can keep everything low-key."

"I don't want to ruin anyone's holiday" Carina blurted. She hated her useless arms. She couldn't move them fast enough to wipe away the tears spilling down her cheeks. "Y'all have already done so much for me."

"Oh because this is so awful for us" Andrea playfully complained. "I mean playing truth or dare and watching everyone make fools of themselves is such a burden!"

"Or eating up all of Nicholas' gourmet food" Griffin added.

"Or listening to Jaxon sing" Leticia winked.

"Thank you guys" Carina's voice quivered. "I can't tell you how much this all means to me."

"We know" Valentino tenderly smiled. He kissed her temple, still unable to find a spot on her face that wasn't swollen or bruised. Valentino and Marco counted the days until Carina's face returned to some semblance of normalcy.

"I want to know what you'd like on the menu" Nicholas stated. He looked around the room trying to gauge who would stay through the holiday. "Who's heading home?" He figured it was easier to find that out.

"I am" Griffin stated as he raised his hand. He looked around the room trying to determine if he was the only one leaving.

"I don't want to" Andrea confessed, "But I have to."

"That's okay" Carina reassured her good friend. "We have New Year's, right?" Andrea blinked away her tears. She nodded her head, unable to verbally respond.

"I'll be flying out to be with family" Sati replied.

"I'm not sure yet" Leticia admitted. She looked at Marco for confirmation. If Marco was going home then so was she.

"We're staying" Marco affirmed. There was no way he could go home and visit family with Carina in this condition. He'd make it up to them, especially once his family met her.

"What about you Diego?" Jaxon asked. No one believed he'd leave his sister behind but there was no way they could avoid going home without worrying their family.

"I'm going to talk to our parents" Diego stated. He looked at Carina as he spoke. "I'll explain that we're staying here. Hopefully she'll be better to go home by Christmas." He didn't want to detail the conversation he needed to have with his father in front of everyone. In a way Diego was going to be partially honest; his father needed to know about the pictures that had leaked online. Although most of the images were removed there was never a guarantee with the internet. His half-truth included staying behind to handle legal issues, which included the formal statement regarding Pete. But his family wouldn't know about Carina's assault, at least not yet. Diego knew if it was up to Carina they would never know the truth but he wasn't sure he could do that. At least he could appease her for now.

"Nicholas, I don't want the staff to do anything out of the ordinary for Thanksgiving" Carina protested. She furrowed her brows deep in thought. She'd just made the assumption that the estate was open. "It will be open, right?"

Nicholas smiled warmly at her concerned frown. He appreciated her thoughtfulness. Too many of his members assumed he kept the estate open 24-hours a day, 365-days a year. Although he offered the estate open any and at all times for his exclusive members there were certain low-grade members that he didn't care to cater to. They barely paid the annual membership dues and didn't provide much to his network of members.

"The doors will be open to exclusive club members" He confirmed. "They usually pre-order their meal and RSVP so that we don't over or under prepare the holiday feast. I usually keep the community room open for members wishing to play but I won't have any scenes performed and
Scandalous
will be closed."

"We can just eat whatever the kitchen prepares" Carina insisted. She hated being so useless. She gritted her teeth frustrated with herself. She was nothing but a burden to Nicholas. Why hadn't he allowed her to go home with Valentino when Dr. Redmond had given the clear?

"Absolutely not!" Desirae indignantly huffed. "I was supposed to attend a Latin Thanksgiving so I expect some beans and rice!"

Carina smiled and rolled her eyes at her best friend. Desirae had been talking about the Spanish-style dishes for the last few weeks.

"That can be easily arranged" Nicholas happily stated. This was exactly what he'd been hoping to hear. He walked over to the touch pad screen by Carina's bedside. He typed in several commands preparing to notate their suggestions.

"Turkey" Jaxon stated matter-of-factly. He'd be eating with his family but it didn't mean that he couldn't split his time between home and the estate.

"Duh stupid" Desirae curled her lip. "But green bean casserole is completely out of the question. That is some nasty shit!"

Carina held her breath trying not to laugh. It hurt like hell to speak more than a whisper. Imagine roaring laughter. She shuddered at the thought. The pain would be worth it though. It was the first time she'd seen Desirae being herself in the last few weeks. Carina hadn't realized how much she missed her feisty bestie.

"That's a Thanksgiving tradition" Jaxon scoffed. What the hell was wrong with Desirae?

"That's fine" Desirae haughtily replied. "You can eat that garbage with your family. This will be a Latino-style Thanksgiving."

"I have turkey, cranberry sauce, rice with beans... What else?" Nicholas tried to steer the conversation back to where he wanted it to go.

"Stuffing?" Leticia inquired.

"Baked macaroni?" Valentino suggested. "We can put meat or veggies in it."

"Salad and bread" Andrea tossed out.

"Sweet potato casserole or twice-baked potatoes" Carina added.

"Should we do two types of meat?" Diego asked.

"Traditional desserts?" Sati questioned. "There's plenty of options there."

"Hmmm" Carina closed her eyes. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to eat everything but she'd enjoy what she could.

"Rest love" Valentino kissed her jaw. She still couldn't stay awake for extended periods of time. Valentino and Marco leaned in close to her side. Carina welcomed their warmth and allowed herself to fall asleep to the comforting sounds of her friends, family, and lovers planning their holiday.

Chapter Forty-Three

"Okay everyone heads out tomorrow" Sati announced as she entered Carina's luxurious suite. "We're going to have girls' night here!"

Beatriz, Ariel, Andrea, and Desirae followed Sati in. Leticia, Diego, and Jaxon were already there. Everyone stopped as they watched Marco and Valentino rub Carina down. The girls watched in awe as two strong sets of hands rubbed and massaged Carina's thighs and calves. Although the sight was arousing, Valentino and Marco weren't touching Carina in a sexual manner. If anything their hands stretched her weak muscles and encouraged circulation through her legs.

"We're going to try walking tomorrow" Marco softly spoke to Carina. They were aware of their audience but he didn't care. Valentino and Marco had done everything in their power to take care of Carina. They'd taken over the tasks of bathing her and massaging her good arm and both legs to help improve her circulation and stimulate her underused muscles. Although the staff considered them simple tasks, it meant the world to Marco and Valentino to be able to do them for her.

"Hate to break it to you hot stuff" Desirae approached the bed, "But we're kicking you out for the rest of the evening."

"Stay at your place tonight" Carina insisted. Her beautiful, wonderful men had stayed at the estate since the assault. She'd selfishly allowed them to be by her bedside although they had a business to run and homes to check on. Carina could go one night without them.

"We've gotten spoiled spending every night together" Valentino murmured into her neck. Although he was using a playful tone he meant it. Maybe it was his 9-year age difference but he was ready to take that next step and have them living together. Valentino already knew they were compatible in every way possible. The only thing left to discuss was ending their open-relationship. He was absolutely done sharing Carina and he never intended to start sharing Marco with another man. Maybe he felt threatened with Jaxon's presence in both his lovers' lives but Valentino knew when to draw the line.... And it was time.

"Take care of each other's needs tonight" Carina whispered in his ear. She knew Valentino and Marco weren't usually intimate unless she was involved but she was out of commission for a while. It wasn't like she was up to it; she couldn't move much, and she could barely breathe as it was. At least she'd graduated to getting her catheter removed and pissing in a bed pan.

"It won't be the same without you" Valentino whispered back. He knew he shouldn't feel guilty about being with only one of his two lovers but it really wasn't the same.

"Think of me" Carina smiled at him. She winked at both her men letting them know that she was truly okay with it. She didn't understand why Valentino didn't have sex with Marco more often. Shit, she would. They both put her libido into overdrive. Having them together at the same time just made things combustible.

"We'll call out your name when we come" Marco nibbled her jaw whispering to both of them. He figured the others could hear them but it didn't really matter. None of what came out of their mouths should surprise any of the room's occupants.

Carina smiled brightly. It still hurt her lip a bit to stretch them that far but Marco's suggestion was right on point. That was exactly what she hoped they'd do. She opened her mouth to suggest they record it but her brain quickly shut that down. Not only did she not want to torture herself with those sexy as hell images but she didn't want Valentino and Marco's private moments getting into the wrong hands. Out of this entire nightmare she was grateful that Pete had kept his filthy paws away from her lovers' images. Valentino and Marco were comfortable with their bisexuality but it wasn't always welcomed by all. Her extremely masculine, entirely alpha males were the last guys people suspected of playing for both teams; but the moment someone learned about it the automatic reaction for the more homophobic males included disgust and automatic suspicions that they were being hit on. Fucking preposterous.

Valentino covered Carina's lower body with a thin sheet. Marco adjusted her pillow ensuring her comfort. They both kissed her before whispering their loving goodbyes. Andrea and Desirae approached the men. They hugged and kissed them goodnight before they exited the room. Ariel, Sati, and Beatriz shyly waved goodbye still not comfortable enough to make that kind of contact.

"You too Jaxon" Carina playfully chided. He usually got to hang out with them for girls' night but this was their one exception. The girls really needed "just them" time. She suspected they had a few questions over her and Jaxon's interactions in these last two weeks.

"Diego too then" Jaxon scowled as he pointed at Carina's brother. No one missed the quiet and intense male standing away from the others. Diego couldn't hide in a room full of people if he tried. It had nothing to do with his height and solid frame but everything to do with his striking good looks and intense eyes.

"
Besito
Diego" Carina puckered her lips for her brother. She rarely asked him for a kiss although it was customary for their culture.

"You're not a baby" Diego grumbled as he approached Carina. He still complied with her wish.

"But I'm still your doll" she teased. No matter how old she was Carina suspected Diego would always call her
muñeca
.

"And always will be" He smiled warmly at his sister. She may be tough as nails but she was also as fragile as porcelain. Diego kissed Carina on the forehead. He slowly looked over her healing face. Carina didn't know it but Nicholas had been taking a picture of her face and other injuries every day from the time she'd been admitted. It was a great way to track her progress and compile necessary evidence against Pete. Diego didn't give a shit about the fucker. He was still in the hospital with his jaw wired shut and a body cast over his torso and arms. Now that shit made Diego feel all warm and fuzzy.

"Call if you need me" He insisted. He knew it would be a long time before things changed but he couldn't stop himself even if he tried. Diego called to check in on Carina several times a day. He didn't go a day without physically seeing her. He knew it was annoying the shit out of his sister but it didn't discourage him. He had to know she was safe. Everyone had been waiting for Carina to have a mental breakdown from everything but she'd fared well so far.

"Go" Andrea shooed Jaxon and Diego from the room. Desirae tapped on the touch screen menu and placed orders for the group. The girls grabbed chairs and circled around Carina. They were all excited to finally be able to catch up with each other.

"You look so much better" Ariel exclaimed. She hadn't been over to visit as much because she hadn't been able to stomach the sight of Carina's face. She knew that it might make her a bad friend but wouldn't it have been worse if she forced herself to come and gagged in her face?!

"Thanks" Carina meekly smiled. She knew Ariel and Beatriz had been hesitant on visiting her before leaving for break.

"How are you going to catch up on classes?" Beatriz inquired. Exams were around the corner and Professors weren't as accommodating this time of year.

"Dean Richard is handling things" Carina replied. "He's informed all my Professors about my situation and I've been given different assignments to make up for the lost time. This was the first week I attended classes through an online forum. I think he has the TA setting up a webcam at a desk and I watch from my computer as if I was in class. Sometimes my sedatives don't allow me to stay awake the whole time but luckily they're recorded. We'll see how things go." She shrugged. There was no use in stressing about something she couldn't control.

"That's great!" Beatriz beamed. She was getting tired of explaining to people why Carina wasn't back on campus yet.

"Sorry we missed truth or dare the other day" Ariel decided to change the subject. She missed their Friday nights where they'd play around and go out clubbing. It wasn't the same when it was just her and Beatriz.

"I missed most of it too" Carina smirked. She may've been present but she wasn't awake for most of it. Fortunately she'd awoken when it mattered most.

"Still I would've loved to see some of the stuff" Ariel sighed. Desirae rolled her eyes knowing Sati had talked about it.

"So what do you want to do tonight?" Andrea inquired. They could drink and play games, or roam the estate although that wouldn't be fair to Carina.

"Since Carina didn't participate in truth or dare I think we should get to ask her questions" Sati waggled her eyebrows at the group.

"I'm of no use for dares" Carina wryly replied. "Unless breathing and eating count."

"No. No" Sati giggled shaking her head. Everyone always had questions for Carina. It wouldn't be hard for them to ask her a few.

"Let's shake things up!" Desirae bounced in her seat. "If Carina doesn't want to answer the question she can choose one of us to do the dare or we can all take a shot of something."

"Great idea" they squealed in delight. Carina smirked knowing they'd do those things even if she answered the questions. "How about we start with one question from each person?"

Carina sighed. This group had some nosy bitches.

"Me first" Andrea's hand shot up in the air. The girls groaned but allowed her to ask the first question. "Did you learn a lot of what you know from one guy in particular?" She knew she didn't have to spell it out for her. Andrea and Desirae were still working to get their Olympic status like Carina. It really did take hard work and perseverance.

Carina chuckled at her good friend. Of course Andrea's question was sex-related. She closed her eyes remembering the only guy she could consider a "teacher". Those were fun days.

"Do tell" Ariel gushed. Carina's dreamy smile let everyone know this was going to be a good story.

"Most of you have seen Jaxon in action" Carina replied. Ariel and Beatriz were perhaps the only ones who hadn't seen Jaxon first-hand at his finest. Her womb clenched and her skin tingled just at the thoughts of what he could do to her body. Jaxon was one magnificent specimen of man.

"Imagine Jaxon's similar build, just taller... Maybe 6'4" with shoulder-length brown hair that was nicer than a girl's... He had these crazy grey eyes with olive skin. I think he was part Native American and part Brazilian. Fine ass motherfucker..." Carina sighed.

"C'mon woman" Desirae snapped her fingers trying to get Carina out of her lusty haze. "Who was he and how did you meet him?"

"Does that count as your question?" Carina challenged. The hell she wasn't going to answer one person's question and let everyone ask more questions on top of that one.

"Technically you haven't even answered Andrea's question" Desirae saucily replied. Oh no Carina wasn't getting testy with her!

"I met Rafe through Diego" Carina sheepishly admitted. "He was Diego's teammate on their varsity basketball team. Diego was a senior, Rafe was a junior, and I was an extremely well-developed 13-year old who hung out with older kids."

Desirae remained silent listening to her roommate's story. "I thought you didn't date Diego's friends?" She quietly asked Carina.

"I didn't" Carina shrugged. "Rafe and I were more like friends with benefits."

"You mean fuck buddies" Leticia challenged. Every time something came out of Carina's mouth it appalled her even more. How the hell was she having sex with a junior in high school when she was still in middle school? Leticia suspected Carina had daddy issues. There was no other explanation for her promiscuous behavior at such a young age.

"That's what I considered Jaxon and me to be last year" Carina elaborated. "But Rafe and I were different. We were friends before we had sex. Our friendship didn't waiver while we were having sex. And we were still friends when we stopped having sex, when he dated other girls, and went off to college. I haven't seen him in two years but we chat sometimes on Face Book."

"So you guys were having sex for how long?" Ariel asked.

"Two and a half years" Carina shrugged. "It was off and on... but Rafe showed me everything he knew and we experimented with each other. Rafe is probably the reason why I get off on having an audience. He loved having me anytime, anywhere. At school we'd have sex in the boys' bathroom, in the teacher's lounge, in the showers of the boys' locker room... The greater the risk the faster and harder we'd come."

"Did you ever get busted?" Beatriz gushed. She couldn't pull something off like that, especially as a freshman in high school but damn just the thought of it was hot!

"One time this asshole teacher busted us" She replied. The girls gasped in shock but Carina continued. "I knew he was in the shadows watching us. I finally made eye contact with him as Rafe was about to come. The teacher was palming himself and I made sure he knew I saw it. Rafe never knew and we never got in trouble."

"Ewww" Desirae grimaced. "I bet he was one of those smelly overweight bastards."

"Actually" Carina replied, "He was one of those awkwardly balding, really skinny creepy guys. I'm just glad he wasn't my actual teacher. I wouldn't have survived the school year."

"So, where's Rafe now?" Andrea asked. Maybe she needed to hook up with him...

"Don't know" Carina shrugged. "Rafe and I were never boyfriend-girlfriend. When it ended I missed the sex but our friendship was still the same. Like I said it's been a few years."