Page 10 of The Love of Secrets

I rush across the bar to the back area where I see a door to the outside propped open and I can hear crying. I creep closer to the door and walk outside. She’s bent over with her head in her hands. She doesn’t seem to hear me as she keeps crying. I shove my hands in my pockets as the guilt and anger wrap around me. I clear my throat.

She looks up at me and my whole body softens when I see the mascara running down my face.

“Are you okay?” I whisper.

“No,” she hiccups out.

I can’t seem to hold myself back. My legs move on their own accord, forcing me to box her in as I lean against the wall. “I’m sorry if I scared you. How can I make it better?”

“There’s nothing.” Her tone is sharp, but she doesn’t refute what I said about being scared.

“Pretty Girl, I can tell that you need something. Whatever it is, I’ll give it to you.” And I would. Anything she wants, I’ll give her.

She laughs and the look on her face gives me hope that whatever seemed to be bothering her has started to lift. A smirk pulls at my lips. “I bet you say that to all the ladies.”

“Only the pretty ones.” I give her a wink.

“Thanks for coming out here to check on me. I really appreciate it.” Her hand rests on my bicep. I automatically flex it. Her smile gets even bigger. “Well, I guess I should get back out there.”

I lean down and crash my lips to hers. Her body completely melts into mine as she presses her lovely tits against me. I moan and she slips her slick tongue in my mouth. I love that this little vixen is trying to take control. I allow it for now, but she will find out soon that I’m the one in charge.

I grip her ass and force her close to me so she can feel what she does to me. I rub my cock against her hot pussy. If we keep going like this, I’m going to be fucking her against this brick wall. She must feel it too, because she rips herself away from me.

Her eyes dart to the ground and stay there when she wipes her mouth, keeping her gaze down as she tries to move me out of the way. I allow it…this time.

“Please leave me alone, Mateo.” It’s a quiet plea as she slips back into the bar.

I stay silent and watch her as she goes back to her job.

Chapter eight

Cecilia

It’s been two weeks and every night he comes in and sits at the bar. He orders the same thing each time. A basket of wings and one beer. The weight of his gaze slides down my back as I serve the other customers. I’ve tried to figure out why he comes here just to watch me work. He said something about wanting me, but I’m not sure I should believe him. And if he does want me, it’s probably in the same way that all men want me. Only to possess me. They don’t want to know or love me.

I want to believe that he could be different and want to dive into his embrace, allowing him to consume me. My lips tingle as they remember what it felt like when we kissed two weeks ago. I shake my head because I know I can’t indulge. I have too much baggage and too many secrets. If Mateo knew about them, he wouldn’t want me. Besides, my son has to be my top priority.

I push all thoughts of Mateo out as I put the groceries away. It’s not much because even though I work pretty much every night at the bar, I’m still scraping to get by. It doesn’t help that I had to call in tonight and right on cue, I hear Oliver in the other room. “Mama, Mama,” he cries.

The poor guy hasn’t been feeling well for the last few days. I rush to his room to find him red-faced and crying, snot dripping down his nose. I quickly pick him up and pull him into my chest. Rubbing my hands up and down his back, I kiss his forehead. Shit, he’s burning up.

“It’s okay, Mama’s here,” I whisper into his ear. With the sound of my voice, I’m able to get his crying to settle down though he’s still restless in my arms.

Oliver looks up at me with the face of a poor sick child. “I no feel good.”

“I know, baby. Let’s get you some medicine.” Pulling him into my chest, I cuddle him closer and bring him to the front of the apartment. “I’m going to put you down on the couch while you watch Daniel Tiger. I’ll be right back.”

Placing him down, I quickly put on his show and hope that it will keep him calm for the few minutes it’ll take me to grab the pain relievers. I let out a huge breath as mom guilt hits me right in the stomach. It churns knowing that I need to be doing better for my son. Logic dictates that he’s had a fever for a few days and I need to have him seen, but then my brain argues with itself because I don’t have the money to pay for a visit to the pediatrician. I grab a glass of water and gulp it down, trying to lower the fire in my belly.

“Mama,” a soft, tiny voice calls from the other room.

“I’ll be there soon, baby boy,” I call back as I hurry to measure up his medicine and head back to the couch.

“Here you go. This will make you feel better.”

He takes a small sip before his mouth drops into a frown and he pushes the medicine away. “It’s yucky.”

“I know, but it will help.”

---