Page 33 of Sapphire

My eyes turn to Tomas and the little frown he has on his face. He’s looking directly at Mateo and shaking his head.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hugged him. It’s not his fault,” I say to Tomas.

Tomas gives me a confused look.

“I’ve got to go,” I tell them as I rush out of the kitchen and back to my room.

Soon there is a quiet knock on my door before it opens, and Mateo walks in with his shoulders slumped looking upset.

“Zoe, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“There’s nothing to apologize for,” I tell him. I’m embarrassed about spying on them, about flirting with Tomas and Mateo, for making Mateo’s dick hard this morning. I’m sorry for intruding on their lives for making them hide their relationship. I’m sorry for not being able to remember so I can work out who I am and leave them alone.

“I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Mateo says with a frown.

I scrub away the tears that I didn’t notice falling. I’m so over crying. Who knew losing my memory would turn me into an emotional wreck. I don’t know who this girl is.You don’t know who you are either way.

“I’m sorry, Zoe. I promise I’m not a creep. I respect your boundaries. And you are safe in this house with Tomas and me.”

“I know. I’m embarrassed that’s all.”

“You’re embarrassed. I’m embarrassed. I put you in a horrible position.” He lets out a sigh. “In a short amount of time, you’ve become one of the closest people to me, outside of Tomas. I keep my circle small because I can’t trust anyone. I know I can trust you, but my stupid dick has gone and ruined that.”

“You haven’t ruined anything,” I reassure him.

“I haven’t?”

“We’re still friends.”

Relief falls across Mateo’s face at my words.

“Just no more hugging,” he says with a smile.

Don’t think we need to go that far.

“I still like your hugs. You make me feel safe,” I confess to him.

Mateo raises a brow at me. “Just no hard-ons,” he adds, giving me a smirk.

I can’t stay mad at this man. “Yeah, none of those,” I agree with a giggle.

“I’d never do anything to hurt you, Zoe, know that,” Mateo says seriously before leaving my room.

11

MATEO

It’s been a couple of days since the infamous hug. After leaving Zoe’s room and making sure she was okay, and I hadn’t ruined our friendship because my stupid dick finds her attractive, I returned to my own room where I received a huge lecture from Tomas. He completely chewed me out. He was disappointed in me for not being able to control myself. I’m disappointed in myself as well, but come on, when her gorgeous body is pressed against mine, and I’m melting into her hugs the little guy gets confused.Big guy I mean, he’s definitely not little.

Zoe agreed to pose for me today in my studio. I’m nervous as we are both alone for the first time since I embarrassed myself. Tomas is in Barcelona for a meeting, which he left for last night and I was kind of hoping for his calming nature to be a buffer between Zoe and me today. I know I’m nervous as I rearrange my art studio for the fifth time this past hour.

“Knock, knock,” Zoe calls out as she enters my creative space.

I turn around and see she is dressed in a gorgeous floral silk robe that the stylist bought when Tomas and I ordered clothes for Zoe. I think she got the wrong idea, but in this moment, I’m happy for that miscommunication because she looks gorgeous. She’s fresh-faced and her blonde hair is pulled up in a messy bun on top of her head. Her tanned skin is on display, and thankfully, all bruises have almost faded as it’s been a month since finding her.

“Come in,” I call to her.

She gives me a small smile as she walks into my space, twisting her hands into knots with nerves.

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