Page 100 of Monster in Disguise

"Lina," Marcello groans, and my cheeks heat up in embarrassment.

With what courage I have left, I quickly take off my underwear and climb inside the tub.

The scorching temperature of the water gives me goosebumps, and I grit my teeth at the painful heat.

It doesn't take me long to get accustomed to the water. I gaze up and see that Marcello is still standing in the doorway, his eyes fixed on me.

"Can you help me?" I lift up a sponge and hold it to him. I don't know where this is coming from... this forwardness... but I don't want him to leave.

He comes towards me, folding the sleeves of his shirt. When he's next to the tub, he kneels down and takes the sponge from my hands.

He lathers a good amount of liquid soap onto the sponge and then starts to tend to my arm. His movements are slow, the feel of the sponge soft on my skin.

He moves up to my collarbone, and I have to swallow hard at the sensation. I sneak a glance at him, and he's not unaffected either. Marcello tends to both of my arms before getting ready to move to my back.

I grab his hand, suddenly remembering what he's about to see.

"It's not pretty," I whisper, but slowly turn my back to him.

I'm afraid of his reaction. I can't see it, but I can tell he's shocked by his immediate intake of breath.

"Lina..." his voice is soft, his breath almost touching my skin. Then I realize how close he is to me.

"Mar..." I trail off when I feel his lips on my back, right where my scar begins. He starts tracing the contour of the scar with his lips, and my eyes tear up.

"You're beautiful, Lina. So, so beautiful." His voice is like a balm to my heart. There's this warmth... I don't think I've ever felt like this before. This emotion, bigger than life, expands in my chest and seeks to get out. I tense, painfully gripping the edge of the tub.

Dear Lord, what is this feeling?

The sponge touches my skin again, and Marcello continues with his ministrations. By the time he's done, I'm breathing hard, and I don't know whether it's from the steam in the water or...

He brings me a towel and helps me out, cocooning me. He takes me back to the bed.

"Thank you. For this." He takes my hand and brings it to his lips for a light kiss.

As I look into his eyes, I find myself hypnotized.

"Don't leave. Stay with me, please."

"Lina, you have no idea what you're asking."

"I do... I want this. I want you."

For the first time, I want to be in control of what happens with my body. And God, do I want him. He's all that's kind and good, and I don't even know what I've done to deserve him.

He's simply everything.

My fingers caress his cheek, and I lean forward to lay a kiss on his lips, wanting to show him how much I want this.

"Are you sure?" he asks me, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nod.

"Please."

His hand comes up my neck, and he cups my jaw, drawing me into his kiss. I part my lips to allow him inside, my tongue seeking his.

I fall back on the bed, taking him with me. My towel's hanging open, and I try to fit my body to his, wanting to feel closer.

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