A hand slides over my backside and his fingers dig into my flesh. Each and every time he touches me, needs me, it’s both thrilling and nerve-racking no matter how many times we’ve been together.
I love his touch and am hungry for his hands on me. No one has touched me like this but him, and that’s how I want it. Always.
“I want you,” his low voice murmurs into my neck.
With one hand reaching behind his head, he pulls the collar of his T-shirt up and over until he’s shirtless, revealing the defined expanse of his chest. All smooth skin, hard dips, and ridges of muscles.
We’re alone in the quiet house. Only us. All my senses are attuned to him. He holds his breath, lips barely apart, as his fierce gaze claims me. Does this feel new and exciting for him every time like it does for me?
Swallowing back the sudden lump in my throat, I slide the hem of my shirt upward, and the cool air hits my bare skin. Goosebumps pop along my arms but it isn’t because of my exposed flesh.
No. It’s his molten eyes.
His stare smolders, devouring me in my pink cotton bra and matching panties. He holds out his hand and I place mine securely in his as my heart thunders, any nervousness now replaced with anticipation.
This isn’t our first time, yet every time feels new and exhilarating. And there’s no one I’d rather be with. No one who I trust more than Jared.
He unclasps my bra, letting the straps slide down my arms, and like other times before, I fight the drive to curl my arms around myself. It isn’t out of body shame but more shyness.
My gaze dips to the dark trail low on his tight stomach, disappearing into the waistband of his jeans. He pulls me to him, bending his head as his teeth nip at the tender flesh of my collarbone.
A light gasp slips from my lips. His bare skin is hot against mine, and my pounding heart fills my ears. He kisses me, stealing my breath and filling me with a tidal wave of emotions.
I’m very aware of his hard length flat against my stomach. His hand drifts from my neck to my collarbone, fanning to one shoulder then the other and next, my chest.
He lingers and savours before his fingers track their way to my waist, hip bone and further down to my thigh. There’s no hesitation or hurried pace as he maps my body.
“I love you.” His heated amber eyes pin me.
“I love you too.”
My hand skates down his hard abdomen, and I’m unable to contain my wicked smile when his muscles spasm.
I love seeing what I do to him.
The effect I have on this strong, muscled boy.
His short, quick breaths embolden me and I unbutton his jeans, tugging them from his hips.
Just the sight of him, arms, chest, lips—I can’t look at him without thinking of his mouth and hands on me—and I want more.
“I want you. Need you now.”
A rich chuckle floats over my head and I tilt my head back, glancing up at his beautiful face.
He’s enjoying this.
Teasing me.
“I got you, Eva.”
Then, without warning, his mouth crashes onto mine in a merciless kiss, and with a hand at my waist, he walks me back to my bed.
Unexpectedly, he rips his lips from mine and a deep moan, long and pained, erupts from my mouth.
Now it’s his turn to unleash a rougish grin as he gently pushes me onto the bed and pounces like a mountain lion, hovering above me. Once more, his mouth crashes onto mine. Teeth and tongues unrestrained.
He’s a force of nature.
My very own storm.
I want him to break me. Shake me to my core and leave me undone. Take all of me.
Lost in each other, like always when we are together, we are frenzied hands, heaving breaths, and whispered promises.
“Get out,” my father bellows.
We bolt upright, eyes blinking open, legs and arms tangled. Oh no! My father is charging for the bed and we’re in a daze.
We fell asleep after having sex and Papi must have come home. He wasn’t supposed to be back until tomorrow.
Before Jared can get his bearings, he’s grabbed by the shoulder and snatched from the bed.
“No, Papi!” My hands shoot out, reaching for either of them, but my father is too fast, too incensed.
His face twists in rage, and he hauls Jared from the room in only his boxers.
“Mr. Ramirez, I’m sorry. I’ll leave.” His apology tugs at my heart.
We did this, both of us, but Jared is the one who will bear the brunt of our indiscretion. I clutch the sheet to my chest, grateful we had at least a shred of wits about us and put on our underwear before falling asleep.
My legs are twisted in the sheets, and I can’t get up fast enough. I stumble, falling to my knees and raised voices and a door slamming fill my ears while I rummage for my clothes.
By the time I get downstairs, my father is alone. He paces the front hall, hands grasping his head as if trying to keep it together.
I should be mindful and leave him, but I can’t bear to see him like this, knowing I’m to blame, and I need to know Jared is all right.
“Papi, I’m sorry.” My steps are cautious, gaze wary as I near him.
He stops pacing, his back to me, and his shoulders deflate while his strong, stocky frame shakes. Guilt floods my veins like freezing rain.
“I’m sorry.” I rush to his side, sliding my arms around his middle.
“Mija, what has he done?” His rough fingers cup my face, a sheen coating his dark eyes. “He’s no good for you. You’re still a child and look at what he’s done to you. Dragging you into his filth.”
“No. He’s a good person.” I can’t stand to hear those words hurled at the one I love the most in this world. “He’s kind, loving. We shouldn’t have—”
“Stay away from him.” His razor-sharp inflection pierces my heart. “I forbid you to go near him again. There will be consequences if you disobey.”
A thick vein in his neck bulges, pulsing, and his skin reddens, spreading up into his face. His command isn’t new, but this time there’s the threat of being sent to Spain, unspoken but possible.
He’s been talking more frequently to my grandfather, the two coming to some kind of understanding. Perhaps it’s the shared loss of my mother.
I should be happy they are working toward peace, but it scares me. My grandfather is a powerful man and his money can make many things happen. I’m uncertain what any kind of alliance between those two could mean for Jared and me.
“I can’t stay away. I love him.” I can’t keep my mouth shut or deny Jared’s existence or importance in my life. “We will be together. Get married, have kids.”
Papi releases a derisive snort. “Silly girl. You’ll have nothing to do with him.”
He doesn’t wait for my comeback, turning and leaving the house. I peer out the front door, heart aching from his casual dismissal. Jared’s Jeep is gone.
Since Ike’s death, we’ve grown closer, and I’ll admit I’ve grown more careless in obeying my father’s wishes. I don’t mean to be disrespectful. I love my father, but Jared is my heart.
I want to be with him all the time, and the incessant risk of Spain makes me want to stick to Jared’s side—the opposite of what I’m sure my father intended—even more.
My future is with Jared.