Page 78 of My Desire (Mi Deseo)

I chuckle at that, nodding my head in agreement. I remember my mom saying something similar. They’ll believe in eggs pulling negative energy from us if we rub the shell over our skin while praying, but when it comes to proven mental health? Forget about it.

“Well, I’m almost positive that my mom has debilitating anxiety from trauma she faced as a kid. I don’t want to call her and set her off in a way that may hurt her. I’ll just let my dad’s excuse be the reality for her until I can be sure contacting her will be safe.”

After heating some cooking oil in a skillet, I add onion, garlic, peanuts, raisins, cumin seeds, thyme, allspice berries, cloves and cinnamon sticks to it and stir until everything is toasted perfectly.

“I know what you’re cooking!” she says suddenly. “Chickenmolé, right?”

I laugh and nod my head, pouring everything, minus the cinnamon sticks, into the blender with the puree.

Once I’ve got everything blended, I take the chicken out and put it all in a pot on the stove, pouring in a bit more of the broth and some chocolate chips before setting it on low. After I wash my hands, I grab a couple of champagne glasses and a bottle before moving to her side.

“While we let the food simmer for a bit, let’s sit in the living room where it’s more comfortable.”

She gives me a small, but achingly sweet, smile and places her hand through my arm before sliding from the stool.

Vicente’s words come back to my mind when we sit.

Could it be that easy?

I fill her a glass with the bubbly champagne before pouring my own. “Tonight, I want us to be open and honest with one another,Bruja. No hurt feelings, jealousy orjudgment.”

Her brows furrow a little, but she nods. “Okay, what would you like to know?”

I watch her take a drink, her slender throat moving with the action and drawing my eyes to the mark on the side of her neck.

When she looks back at me, her browns to my greens, I ask her exactly what her brother suggested. “When you look in the future, who do you see yourself with? One of us, both of us, or neither of us? Tell me the desires you keep hidden.”

TWENTY-SEVEN

ALVARO

“Desire” Felicitas

I watch as she breathes deeply, her eyes blinking several times before she places the glass down and sits back. Her fingers wring together, a slight tremble to them that makes my heart squeeze in my chest.

She’s afraid of me.

Following her action, I place my glass down and take her hands in mine.

“I meant what I said, Vicenta. No matter what you say, even if you say you want him over me, or neither of us, you will not get my anger or judgment. I just want to know what you want so I can make it happen for you, whether that means I leave you to Romero or I make sure neither of us ever bother you again.”

Her lips fold inward, her eyes assessing me, searching for lies, before she shakes her head and breathes my name in that sexy way that she does.

“Alvaro.” A tear drops from her eye and she’s quick to wipe it away, chuckling in embarrassment and frustration. “You and Romero have hurt me in ways I’ve never felt before—”

I open my mouth to apologize—or beg for forgiveness—but she holds up a hand, stopping me.

“But despite that, you both have changed me in ways I can’t come to regret. I’ve lost myself in you both, it’s confusing as hell, but you make me want more.”

She lifts my hand to her mouth, hiding her face for a moment before raising her head with her eyes closed as though she’s given in to defeat.

“I want youboth.”

I breathe deeply, my words getting tangled in my throat as relief floods my system. She opens her eyes, her burning irises scouring my face for a clue to my thoughts.

“It’s selfish, I know, but that’s how I feel. When I think of choosing, it feels like my heart wants to split in half. After everything that has happened, I can’t picture my life without either of you, but I know that won’t work. Not with you and him hating one another the way you do. When the month comes to an end, when I’m expected to choose, I will walk away from you both.”

Her chin trembles as another one of her tears slips free. I scoot closer and lift her so she’s sitting sideways in my lap. I wipe beneath her eyes with my thumb.

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