Page 43 of Bound to the Crime Lord

I knew I needed to show more restraint when it came to her. But I couldn’t help it. I leaned forward and pressed my lips to her cheek gently.

I breathed in her scent, and the tip of my nose brushed her soft skin as I pulled away.

I had expected to meet her closed eyes, but instead, I was met with a sparkling river. Her gaze was filled with sleep, her lids fought against her as she tried to stay awake.

I could see the visible bags under her eyes. She was tired from all the extra shifts she had taken just so she could avoid me.

I leaned forward and pressed my lips to her forehead.

“Sleep,amor” I muttered against her skin.

When I pulled away, I watched her eyelids flutter closed and then she went back to sleep, just as I asked.

My head was less loud and my fever seemed to have calmed a little. But I could still feel the ache in my muscles.

I looked around the living room area at the dim space. I had no idea what time it was, but I knew that it must have been just after midnight.

Juliette snuggled into my chest, falling deeper into her sleep.

My couch was expensive, but what it had in price point it lacked in comfort. I could already feel my back giving in a little.

I didn’t know how, but I managed to get myself onto my feet and cradled Juliette into my arms without waking her.

It was those extra shifts she had been taking in order to avoid me that were now taking a toll on her. She worked hard, and unlike many people I knew, she tended to put her heart out to people and that was taxing.

I walked us to my room and laid her down on my bed. I took my place behind her and pulled her to my chest.

I closed my eyes and for the first time in what felt like years, I had the most peaceful sleep I had ever experienced. Maybe it was the fever that had taken over my brain. But in all honesty, it definitely had something to do with the woman in my arms.

I woke up to the feeling of lightness on my chest. When I blinked my eyes open, I saw Juliette trying to creep out of my bed.

“Where are you going?” My voice was coated in sleep and hoarseness. I felt a lot better than I had the day before, but my head still had that slight pounding to it.

Juliette paused her escape and looked over her shoulder at me. “I need to get to the hospital. I have rounds.”

“No, you don’t. I know your schedule.”

Her eyes widened a little. “And why is that, pray tell?”

“I make it a habit to know everything about you.” I reached for her and pulled her down to my chest. Her mouth formed an o shape, her eyes looked everywhere but me.

She had always been a firecracker. From the moment we met, she had this fire in her eyes that refused to be smothered. But after we had sex, she had become more… shy.

“I need to go.” She cleared her throat, trying to break free from my hold, but I kept her pressed against my chest. “Manuel, I need to go. You’re healed, and I need to…”

“Why are you running?”

She stilled her movements and looked up at me. Her deep waters shined against the morning rays that hit her face at just the right angle. The sun kissed the soft lines of her face, making her seem angelic.

A fitting role for her in my life. I didn’t care much for people. I had given up on humanity long ago. But this woman… she was light and all things good in my eyes.

Life had left her jaded and scarred, yet she still found hope in humanity. I longed for her to look at me the way she did the world. With gentle and loving eyes.

“No more running, Juliette.” I cupped the side of her face and forced her to look me in the eyes.

The fear stormed in her eyes. “Manuel…”

I drew our faces closer.

---