Page 109 of Keepsake

“If it is, I will do all I can to change it for you. I’ll fuck up the world so you can only get the good parts.”

Alvaro Castillo wasn’t a prince. He was rough and moody. He was also loyal and the calm in a storm. He broke my heart and put it back together one look at the time.

“You and the kids are the good parts,” I whispered an inch from his mouth. “That’s all I need.”

We broke the space between us at the same time. His hand buried in my wet hair. My scalp tingled when he pulled on my wet strands to make my mouth take him the way he wanted. I held on to his shoulders, and then up, lacing them around his neck as he untied the knot of his towel. When nothing separated us, I felt the cold metal of the piercing against my stomach making me suck in a breath while we kissed.

“You love that piercing, don’t you?”

I couldn’t talk, so I just nodded, and he growled. “I’ll get more for you. A full fucking ladder.”

I moaned. I wasn’t sure if he was just saying it, but the idea he would pierce it just for me had my hands shaking and my knees melting.

He kissed me slowly, taking symphonies of whimpers from my lips. Reaching to the bedside drawer, he took a condom, making quick work of it between us.

The question if I was riding him again almost left my lips, but before I had the chance, he dropped me in the bed, his big body covering mine.

He said nothing, only stared right into my eyes and bottomed out at once.

My mouth fell open. He set a pace and brought his hand under my sweatshirt, squeezing my nipple between his fingers.

And then he kissed me again. Slowly, taking what belonged to him. Because that was what was happening. I belonged to him, wholehearted, I did.

My heart was his to take, my body his to destroy. The love I felt for Alvaro Castillo couldn’t exist in a vacuum anymore.

I couldn’t contain it, sneaking kisses after dark, quickies at midnight. My love for him grew stronger, impossible, and took over my life. I couldn’t be without him. I couldn’t pretend he was just Sofia’s older brother anymore.

I wanted to be with him and be it for him. I wanted to touch him all the time. I wanted to kiss him whenever I wanted.

I dreamed of someone looking at me just the way he did. Somewhere so deep inside, I wasn’t sure when he ended and I began.

I wanted impossible love.

And I got it.I had it.

My body shook, the fear of losing something I wanted so badly taking over. I could hear my heart beating fast, numbness spreading over my toes.

“Alvaro…” I whispered, tears running from the corners of my eyes.

“Tell me what is wrong, Jefa.”

He was still inside me, thrusting shallow until he took a good look at me and stopped all together.

Lips parted but no sound came out. How could I explain that to someone? I had everything I’ve ever wanted and I was still scared? Scared of being alone. Of failure. But I was scared of happiness, too. Of all my dreams coming true just to wake up the next day with nothing.

Before I could think of words in the English language that made sense to that feeling, he was nodding like I said it all with a look.

I gulped for air. He moved and I panicked thinking he was going to give me space. I didn’t need space. Instead, he pushed harder, his hand closed on throat, tilting my head up and feeling my pulse at the same time.

“I’ve got you,” he promised.

“Alvaro…” I tried to shake my head.

“Can you see me?” he asked, his eyes watching mine like nothing else was around.

I jerkily nodded.

“Use your words, Jefa.”

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