Page 204 of The One
And I can’t bear it.
His fingers thread through my hair, tilting my head back as his mouth claims mine with an intensity that steals my breath. I match it, meeting him with equal fervor, grasping at his shirt, his shoulders, anything to ground me in this moment, to make it last.
His heart is hammering against mine, or maybe it’s my own. I can’t tell where he ends and I begin, and I don’t want to.
I just wantthis…. him.
But it’s slipping through my fingers.
And soon, there will be nothing left.
Teo shifts beneath me, his hard length pressing against my thigh, and it’s like a switch flips in my brain. Suddenly, I can’t think of anything else.
“Teo, I want you so much. I want to help you forget.”
Help me forget, too. Give me something no one can take away.
His breath hitches. “What?” His voice is deep, rough with arousal and something else. Confusion, hesitation?
“I want us to make love. Now. I want to give this to you.”
He searches my eyes, his gaze sharp.
To my shock, he says, “Then let’s get married right now.”
Before I can react, he pulls out his phone, scrolling through his contacts with single-minded determination. My heart stutters, my stomach twisting.
No.I can’t marry him. Not like this. Not with the weight of my father’s betrayal hanging between us like an invisible guillotine.
I don’t want vows. I don’t want forever. Because Ican’thave it.
I just wantthis.This moment, this feeling, before everything crumbles.
The phone rings, over and over, until the unmistakable beep of voicemail fills the silence. I’m so relieved my knees nearly buckle.
“Father Josef. It’s Mateo De Marco. I want to get married as soon as humanly possible. Call me immediately.”
He hangs up and looks at me, eyes steady and unwavering.
“You’re serious,” I whisper.
“Yes. Never more so.”
I stare at him, stunned, my lips parting, but no words come. My expression must be a mess of shock because Teo laughs softly. I don’t join in.
“Mateo, wecan’t.”
“Why not?”
I reach for any excuse, anything but the truth.
“You just lost your brother.”
And I’m carrying the worst secret, one that will destroy us.
His jaw tightens, but his voice remains calm. “Mari, I know what I want. I want you as my wife.”
“Mateo, please. This is insane. You’re not thinking clearly. You’re suddenly the head of this family. You’re grieving.”
