Page 71 of Taking Adalisa

I chuckle and pull away from Matthias. “We aren’t doing anything.”

“Yet.” She points a finger at me. “You guys aren’t doing anything yet. But give it a couple more seconds… I do not want to see that. No matter how much I love you, there are just some things that need to stay private… at least for me.”

I crack a smile at her. “Right back at you. Well, you guys weren’t doing anything, either.”

Margery playfully glares at me. “We like to keep it in the bedroom where no one else can see. Ethan is a little possessive when it comes to me.

“Just a little?” Matthias chuckles. “More like a caveman.”

Ethan glares at Matthias.

“We are going to go to bed. She needs her rest, and we have a full day tomorrow,” Matthias says before anyone else can say anything.

“But—”

Matthias picks me up and starts walking out of the living room.

“I’ll see you tomorrow!” Margery yells.

I wave right before Matthias turns a corner. “That was mean,” I mumble. “I haven’t seen her in weeks, and I wanted to talk to her. Maybe you could have taken Ethan with you so he would stop glaring at me.”

“He wasn’t glaring at you,” Matthias huffs. “He was just assessing whether you are going to make it in this lifestyle or not.”

I look at Matthias like he’s grown two heads. “Who is he to judge if I can make it or not? I’ll show him,” I grumble.

How dare Ethan assess if I can make it or not when he doesn’t even know me? I can and will live in their world.

“I’m sure you’ll prove him wrong,” Matthias gently assures me. “You like to do that.”

“You bet I do.” I cross my arms when he sets me down on the bed.

Standing up, I walk over to the bathroom and start to get ready for bed quickly so I can relax. Oh, that sounds so good. Getting under the soft covers, getting warm and comfortable. I look at my toiletry bag to see the silver bracelet Matthias gave me to show that I was consenting. Slipping it on, I look in the mirror and stare at myself.

So much has changed since I first met him. A lot has changed since I moved to New York, and not all of it is bad.

When I’m ready, I make my way to the bed and pull my shirt off, leaving my sports bra and shorts on. I want to sleep naked, but I don’t want to do so next to Matthias. I’ve done it before, but we had sex before, and it was completely different. So much stuff has happened since then, and I don’t know if I will be comfortable.

“Stop thinking and come into bed.” Matthias pats the sheets right next to him.

I crawl into bed, snuggling next to him and placing my head on his chest. I could get used to this. Having his strong arms wrapped around me, holding me close the whole night. It feels like heaven and makes me feel so safe.

“I’m proud of you today.” Matthias kisses the top of my head. “You have done so much. You should be proud of yourself as well.”

“Why?” I ask.

I freaked out in the grocery store. I felt like I was drowning after I saw my brother. How is that anything to be proud of?

“You ate food you didn’t make or buy,” Matthias points out. “I’m so proud of you for trusting me.”

It dawns on me that I did eat the food Matthias prepared.

“I did do that,” I whisper.

“I know it took a lot to trust me, but I’m so glad you did.” He holds me closer. “I will never take your trust for granted.”

Matthias starts playing with my bracelet, and I’m thankful I can’t see his face right now. Mine is bright red as I stare at my wrist. Am I really doing this?

Yes, I am.

---