Page 127 of Monster in Disguise

"Faster," I plead, unable to contain the building pressure inside of me. Marcello responds by increasing his pace, his length retreating and then plunging back into me until I am stretched to my limits and gasping with delight.

Just a little bit more!

I clench around him, every nerve in my body electrified with pleasure. The intensity pushes me over the edge, tears streaming down my face as I release all control. And moments later, I feel him join me in bliss, filling me completely.

"Lina," he groans, resting his forehead against my shoulder as we both catch our breaths. He lifts his head slightly and sees my tears.

"Fuck! Did I hurt you? Are you all right?" He tries to move, but I keep holding onto him.

"No, you didn't hurt me. It was just... too much. Too much feeling," I confess, biting my lip. His eyebrows crease in confusion.

"You're sure?" he asks again.

"Yes, everything was perfect." My hands glide across his back, and I'm once more reminded of the horrific sight I'd seen.

We settle in bed, and he drapes the sheet on top of me. We sit in silence for a while, and I muster the courage to ask.

"What happened to your back?"

"You saw," he slowly says. I turn around to face him. His expression is tight, and he's looking anywhere but at me.

"Who did that to you?" His shoulders slump at my question. He shouldn't feel embarrassed about it. Not knowing is something I can understand very well.

"I..." He pauses, taking a deep breath. "I'll tell you someday," he finally says, not meeting my eyes.

Someday. Why is it always someday with him? Before I can control myself, I blurt out,

My voice trembles as I struggle to form the words, my heart pounding in my chest. "Like the woman you loved?" The question hangs between us, charged with a mixture of fear and jealousy. I can feel my hands ball into fists, itching to neutralize any competition.

Marcello's gaze meets mine, his expression pleading for me to drop the subject. But I need to know. "Can't you tell me?" I continue, feeling a surge of desperation. "I want to know who I'm competing against. Is she still in your life?" But what I really want to ask is if he still loves her.

"It's in the past," he replies, his voice tinged with regret.

"Marcello," I start again, struggling to find the right words. "I think we should lay everything on the table."

Confusion clouds his features as he frowns at me.

"I'm in love with you," I declare, my heart racing with every word. "I've been falling in love with you from the very beginning. That's why... I need to know if there's still someone else in your heart." Now that the truth is out, I don't know if I should rejoice or weep. Moments pass as he simply stares at me, his mind racing.

"You... love me?" he repeats incredulously.

I nod, tears welling up in my eyes. "Of course I do."

He pulls me into a tight embrace, his arms wrapped around me so tightly it feels like he wants to never let go.

"You love me," he whispers against my hair, his voice filled with disbelief and wonder.

"I do," I reply without hesitation. "I love you."

He continues to hold me close, repeating those three words like a mantra as if trying to convince himself that this is real.

After a while, he finally lifts his head from the crook of my neck, his eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Marcello?" I tentatively break the silence, feeling a lump form in my throat.

His eyes meet mine, and I can see the emotion swirling within them. And then, I hear it—a small sob slipping from his lips as he pulls me even closer, sealing our love with a passionate kiss.

"Marcello," I say again.

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