Page 94 of To Have and To Hold

“Yes, my love.”

His endearment made me smile as I moved my eyes to his. It was then that I noticed he was carrying a washcloth.

“Let me help you.”

“Help me?”

“Clean you. This washcloth is warm. It will help.”

I lifted my hand. “I mean, I can do it.” It was one thing that we’d just had sex. But to clean me…?

His tone dropped an octave. “It’s my job to take care of you.”

Again, I tugged on my lip.

“What did I say about that sexy, plump lip?”

My cheeks rose as I released my lip. “Seriously, Em. That” —I looked at the washcloth— “seems…intimate.”

More laughter. “That first part that you liked?”

I nodded.

“I had my face buried in your pussy. When you came, you gushed the sweetest cum until it was dripping down my chin.”

I lifted my arm over my eyes. “I’m embarrassed.”

Em moved my arm. “Never be embarrassed for the way your body reacts to me. My body has been reacting to you since the first day at the apartments.”

“Really?”

He nodded.

Acquiescing, I lowered the satin sheet. To my horror, my inner thighs were red with the combination of blood and semen. “That’s normal.” I met his eyes. “Right?”

“It is. But tomorrow morning, no one will be talking about the blood on our sheets. That’s why I requested Lola put black sheets on the bed.”

The warm washcloth did feel comforting.

When Em was satisfied with his work, he took the washcloth back into the bathroom. Entering the bedroom, he turned off the lights and climbed back under the sheets. Rolling toward one another, our noses touched. “I love you, Isabella Ruiz. You’re mine to have and to hold forever.”

I nodded. “I love you, too. Will you hold me now?”

He moved his arm around me as I curled next to his warm body. “Forever.”

It was the last thing I remembered as I drifted to sleep.”

Chapter

Thirty-Four

Emiliano

Men in the cartel didn’t take women home to spend the night. That wasn’t only because I lived with my parents and my father was a lieutenant. It was because truly no one could be trusted. As I woke to sunlight streaming through the open curtains and the glass doors opened, a primitive and unexpected feeling filled my chest.

It was trust.

Pure, unadulterated trust.

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