Page 154 of Shifting Hearts 1
No longer in control of my actions, my body surrenders to the sweet promise of oblivion that fuses my soul to his.
I huff in desperation, unwilling to break the sweet moment of having him so close to me.
Reluctantly, I let go of his hands, which I had been clutching to my breasts, and allow him to stand. Eager to see if he also had a life-changing experience, I turn around on wobbly legs to find him striding away to the bedroom.
Unsure if I need to follow him, I focus my energy on reading his mind, but once again, he has shut me out.
Looking down, I see the proof of his release leaking out of me, and although I know I need to get cleaned up, I don’t want to break the illusion of the moment.
I walk around the couch and flop down on the seat, not caring if I create a mess on what must be an expensive couch.
Why did he act so aloof? Was my inexperience such a turnoff that he can’t even fake intimacy afterwards?
Nonchalantly, he strolls back into the room carrying a washcloth. He comes right up to me and asks, “Do you mind?”
When I shake my head, he cleans me up with gentle strokes.
Who is this man that can be so kind, one moment, and yet so demanding the next?
Once clean, he pulls me up by the hand and walks me to the bed, where he pulls back the bedding, climbs in behind me, and tucks me close to his body.
Minutes later, I listen as his soft snoring fills the room.
TWELVE
Maddy
Iam awakened by the incessant ringing of Alejandro’s phone. He is still deeply asleep with his hand wrapped around my waist.
With a disgruntled sigh, I leave the warmth of his embrace and walk around the bed to answer the phone. I pick it up from the bedside table the second it stops ringing, and the notification of a new voicemail pops up on the screen.
I press the button without a single thought about respecting his privacy. This could be the clue I have been waiting for, and I won’t let him hide this from me again.
Alejandro, I need you to return my merchandise. I will be selling her in the upcoming auction, and she needs to be processed along with the others at my facility. Have her ready by noon. I will send men to collect her.
There is no name or mention of a location, but I know exactly who it is.
“That is not the kind of message I wanted to wake up to, you know.”
I turn my head to see Alejandro leaning on one arm and rubbing his eyes.
“Could you blame me? You turned so secretive last night. I had no other choice but to take matters into my own hands.”
His face changes briefly, and before I can question it, he continues. “Well, we better get going. This could be your one chance to get to Alexi, and isn’t that what you really wanted?”
Out of nowhere, a wave of disappointment overwhelms me. This subtle form of rejection after I literally just got out of his bed is more than I can handle at the moment. I turn away and march to the bathroom after tossing the phone onto the bed.
I grab the basin, knuckles white, and look at the figure I am striking in the mirror. My hair is in disarray, but my cheeks have a rosy glow about them that I have never noticed. There was a calm sense of belonging in my demeanor, marred only by the scowl of disappointment on my face.
What if I told him the truth about Alexi? Would that change anything? Would he let me stay?
I rest my head on my chest as I have to begrudgingly admit to myself that this thing between us isn’t just business anymore. Somehow, my insides have twisted into something foreign and yet familiar enough for me to give it a name.
Belonging.
That is what I feel when I am in his presence. He not only makes me stronger, but he also gives me a sick sense of home, something that I have never dared to imagine for myself.
I choke down the sob that comes up and force myself to think about Alexi. Sweet, innocent Alexi, who needs me for protection in a world that wants to steal that innocence away and crush it in their dirty hands.
