Page 113 of Divine Obsession

Maria’s expression didn’t shift, her voice steady as she stepped forward, wrapping her in a hug. “Never again, Miss Gloria. I promise.”

Gloria turned to me, her face brightening. “And you, Natalia – don’t let her out of your sight,sí?”

I nodded with a soft smile. “Of course. See you soon.”

Gloria seemed satisfied with that.

“She cares about you,” I said simply, as we headed toward the exit of the restaurant.

A small smile tipped Maria’s lips. “She’s always been good to us.”

“Where to next?” I asked, wrapping a pink cashmere scarf around my neck.

Maria tilted her head as she pushed open the restaurant’s door, the faintest hint of a grin tugging at her lips. “Let’s find some trouble.”

The slick black Ferrari caught my eye as Maria and I stepped onto the sidewalk, its glossy surface gleaming under the middaysun. Trevor sat inside, the passenger’s side window down, his hand resting lazily on the wheel. He looked the same as ever; unbothered, detached, and far too comfortable.

He wasn’t supposed to see me for another two hours.

Maria noticed him at the same time, her face brightening with an easy smile. “Nice car.”

She had no idea who Trevor really was to me or what kind of history we shared. To her, he was just Kali’s brother who I was working with on some coding job, his fancy car matching the crisp image he presented.

“Thanks.” His voice was smooth, practiced, as if he did this sort of thing all the time. “Need a ride?”

“No, thanks. I’ve got somewhere to be.” She turned to me, pulling me into a hug. I held on for a beat longer than usual, wishing she didn’t have to leave.

“Bye, babe,” I said softly. “Call me when you get home.”

“I will. Promise.” Maria stepped back, shooting me a reassuring grin before glancing at Trevor again. “Good luck!” She called, waving as she turned to head down the street.

I watched her for a moment, the sound of her footsteps fading into the hum of the city around us. With a sharp exhale, I turned back to the car and opened the passenger door, sliding in.

The interior was exactly what I expected; sleek, spotless, and expensive in a way that almost dared you to breathe wrong inside it.

“You still drive a Ferrari,” I muttered, glancing around and pulling on the seatbelt as he pulled off the curb.

“Newer model since the last time I gave you a ride.”

When he leaned in and lowered his head to me, leaving a few inches between us, I leaned in too, brushing my lips to the corner of his mouth. “Mhm…”

“Mhm?” Turning his head, Trevor caught my bottom lip between his, kissing me with the sweetest pull.

I shoved the thoughts aside, reaching for something less loaded to latch onto.

“You mean coerced me into getting in by threatening an innocent,” I mumbled, leaning back in the comfortable leather seat.

The first time I got into his car was when he picked me up on the way to campus and went full-on jock, threatening to beat up some guy from one of my classes if I didn’t get in.

He ran his tongue over his teeth. “Still think I should’ve beat that clown up.”

I glanced at him. “You remember that?”

His jaw ticked; hands tightening briefly on the wheel.

There was something about the way he carried himself and spoke with such poise yet intensity you knew he never had to repeat himself. His eyes appeared disinterested yet warmed my skin with a restrained flame as if he was holding back. He aimed for an imperturbable character – for obvious reasons – but I saw every fragment of emotion inside him. He was like the flame of a lighter; composed enough to draw you in, hot enough to burn your skin off.

It had everything to do with all the lives he’d taken to get to where he was.

---