Page 55 of Shameless in Vegas

As far as Xavier’s concerned, he’s got the “bank info.” So,nowwhat’s she going to do?

I don’t know how she’s planning to do it,ifshe’s planning to do it right now, but even if she has a gun or something stowed somewhere within arm’s reach, I’m one hundred percent confident I can fight her off and snatch the weapon before she does any damage.

Every muscle in my body flexes on its own accord as I brace for what’s about to happen.

And I fuckingwait.

Again.

Natalia doesn’t make a move for a long time.

Eventually, however, she makes a sound.

A little, tiny hitched breath like the one from a few hours ago when I told herthe truth about my feelings for her that only make this situation that much more complicated.

The one that sounded like she was on the cusp of tears, but wasn’t clear if she was faking it or not. And why would she be faking the sound of holding back tears if she thinks I’m asleep?

This is all a real friggin’ mystery for sure.

She sniffles again, and I perceive the movement and sound of her wiping her face, and then she turns over toward me. One of her hands slides up my chest, and I brace even harder, lest she’s about to drive her perfect nails into my jugular.

But she doesn’t.

She just rests her hand on my left pectoral muscle, her fingertips lightly grazing across my sparse chest hair, and then she lifts her head only long enough to shift closer and nestle her face in the crook of my neck.

Atthat, I feel like it’s safe to pretend to wake up.

I fake being a little startled and use the opportunity to wrap my arms tightly around her, just in case this takes a turn for the sinister and I need to hold her in place.

“Mmmm… querida,” I murmur in my best sleepy voice, then kiss her head. “You okay?”

She’s quiet for a second before she whispers against the skin of my neck. “I think I love you. The kind of love that just happens. That you can’t control. The kind that you don’t have to choose. And I’m scared of that.”

I’m suddenly staring at the darkened ceiling, and I don’t even remember opening my eyes. The room is silent, but my heart is pounding loudly enough that I’m pretty sure we can both hear it.

What the fuck isthatsupposed to mean?

Is this a fucking mind game, or is she serious?

Is it all part of this elaborate scheme that I can’t make heads or tails of, or is whatever mission she’s on now totally compromised because she actually caught feels for me?

I have no idea, but hearing that only makes the nagging, gnawing ache in my chest of my actual, genuine love for her worse.

Also,by the way, I have to think of something to say right now that doesn’t give away the friggin’ firestorm of chaos swirling in my mind.

I need a fucking drink.

But it’s nearly four in the morning, and that’s not exactly conducive to maintaining the ruse of this situation.

Instead, I settle for, “Don’t be scared of that,querida,” and a kiss pressed to her forehead. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I know,” she whispers, lifting her face away from my neck and locating my lips in the dark.

Natalia’s kisses are deep and hungry, but abbreviated.

They’re also close enough that I feel her wet lashes brush against my skin just before she pulls away. She turns in my arms to lie on her side and holds my hand between her breasts, pressed against her sternum. Her heart is beating just as wildly as mine.

I shift onto my side, holding her against my chest like I did earlier, and hover my mouth just above the shell of her ear. “You know you can tell me anything, Natalia. We’ve had a lot of life changes in a short period of time. If you’re having a hard time adjusting to everything, you can talk to me about it.”

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