Page 54 of Gamble with Me
“I missed you, too, mon cœur.”
I winced in surprise when the familiar, deep, muffled voice reached my ears, and a pair of solid arms embraced me. I turned around, pressing my palms against his chest, unable to say a word.
"Did you really believe I gave up so easily?" he asked, brushing the hair away from my face. "You don't know me at all."
-26-
Valeria
My heart almost burst through my ribcage when my brain finally comprehended he was really there. Zefarin held me in his arms with his typical skull mask covering his face and oversized black clothes hiding his body.
I clutched his hoodie with my hands and, standing on my tiptoes, pressed my face against his chest, releasing a deep breath. His strong arms wrapped around me, his hold on me tightening when I clung to him closer.
"Why did you return to him, mon cœur?" he asked when I pulled away, trying to conceal the wetness in my eyes. He had no idea how much I needed him.
His question was expected, and I was prepared for it. What I wasn't prepared for, though, was how hard it was for me to lie to him. He was the one hiding his identity. He disguised himself, but I felt terrible for giving him a dishonest answer. But I knew I was doing it for my girl's safety.
"Zara pleaded with me to return to her father," I replied quietly, my voice almost breaking under that lie's weight.
"I see," he mumbled quietly, stroking my naked arm with his gloved hand. "I didn't take your daughter under consideration."
He sounded almost guilty talking about it.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
"There's nothing to be sorry about." He cupped my cheeks, the cold leather feeling soothing against my flushed skin. "She's your child. Of course, you'll do everything for her happiness."
I didn't have the strength to continue in this conversation. The topic had to be changed, or I risked being discovered.
My stalker knew me. He could read me like an open book, and if he asked the right questions, he would find the real story behind my return to Chester.
I couldn't let that happen. It would put him in danger. It would turn my life into the worst nightmare ever.
Until I knew who my husband's powerful friend was, I would never admit he forced me to live with him. No one would have a target on their back because of me.
"What are you doing here?" I muttered, hoping Chester would not wake up. It would be another disaster. "I sent you away."
"You have done that since we met." He shrugged; there was a smile in his voice. "I listen to it with one ear and let it out with another."
"Great," I sighed, acting annoyed. "Your respect for my decisions is immense."
"You're my heart, Valeria," he said, his thumbs brushing my cheeks. "I can't live without my heart."
A fluttering of my stomach made me aware of my feelings toward him. Maybe I was a pathetic, weak woman who craved attention so much she fell for the first man who gave it to her. Or perhaps he and his sweet words were exactly what I desperately needed to feel wanted again.
I was confused about where I stood when it came to my stalker. However, I knew I wasn't prepared to lose him. He opened my eyes, brought me back to life, and made me enjoy myself. His mask was the only thing standing between us, like an impenetrable barrier.
"What are your plans for the future, Zefarin?" I gently took his wrists and moved his hands away from my face. "Are you planning to stalk me forever, to hide under my bed or in my closet to catch a glimpse of me?"
"My plans will soon be uncovered, mon cœur," he responded, entwining our fingers and bringing my hands to his lips. The rough fabric of the mask prevented him from kissing me, but a pleasurable shiver ran down my spine anyway.
"Right now, I have only one agenda." His gentle, seductive whisper was like music to my ears. "To make love to you."
I didn't notice when he maneuvered us to bed. Only when my calves hit the edge did I realize he slowly pushed me backward.
"Can I cover your eyes, Valeria?" He pulled a black scarf from the pocket of his hoodie. In the dim light of Zara's red lamp, he could read the questionwhyon my face. "I want to kiss you."
"Your wishes must be fulfilled while mine are pushed aside." I crossed my arms over my chest, resembling defiance.
