Page 64 of One Hotlanta Night
She squeezes my hand again tightly, as if to emphasize her point.
“I see the way he looks at you. We all noticed it from the moment you two stepped in the door. He feels something deep for you,un amor intenso. So I am asking you, as his grandmother, be gentle with his heart. He is a strong young man, yes,” she continues. “But he has also been through a lot. My daughter, his mama, when she got sick… well, it was a lot. He’s never complained once though, mind you. ” She nods her head firmly. I remember how he jumped immediately to help his mother through the door, got her situated and then prepared a plate for her. As dinner progressed, he stayed in tune with herand anticipated her needs, giving his dad a break, I’m sure.No wonder he takes care of me so well. He’s probably been doing that for a long time.
“His childhood was rough for a while, and he had to grow up a lot faster than most men. But he figured it out, made his own opportunities, his own success, happen. And now that he has let someone in, opened himself up to you… be good to him. Take care with his heart.Por favor,” she says with a final squeeze.
“I care deeply about him too,” I quickly reassure her. “I really do. He’s incredible. This is all just…” My throat feels dry as I try to choose my words carefully lest I offend this very important woman in Michael’s life. “It’s been very fast, and I don’t understand—”
“You don’t have to understand everything,cariño. Some things are meant to be felt. And accepted. It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone except the two of you.” As I look into her eyes, the skin around them crinkled with years of experience and wisdom, I let her words sink in. Could it really be that easy? Does it matter I’ve known him such a short time when I feel such a solid pull toward him? Like we’re irrevocably linked?
When I think of Michael’s words, his actions, the way he makes me feel… he’s so certain. Solid. Unshakeable. When I’m with him I don’t question it, us, our connection. It’s only when my thoughts intrude and my insecurities pipe up that I start to doubt him, myself, and my capacity for lifetime love.
“Mi amor?” a deep voice rumbles.
Speak of the handsome devil, there he is, one arm leaned against the kitchen doorframe, taut muscles visible even under the white t-shirt and lounge pants. His eyes smolder as he takes me in, his voice low as he asks, “Are you coming to bed?” If we weren’t guests in this house, I know without a doubt that he would have swooped in and tossed me on the bed by this point, ready to have his way with me.
His grandma must pick up on it too, because she clears her throat as she looks sternly at him, and it does the trick of reminding him where we are.
“Sorry, Paquita,” he says, coming over and kissing the top of her head. “I thought you had already gone to sleep. And I was coming to find Vivian.” He looks over her head, his eyes raking over my body with pure lust. I can almost hear his unspoken question, “And why aren’t you in my bed yet?”
“You can have your girl back, Miguel.” She takes his hand as he helps her up. “We were just talking. Remember what I said, Vivian.” She looks at me and I nod.
Iwilltake her words to heart. Knowing I’ve made such an impact on my man in such a short time fills me not with dread, but with a desire to prove his trust has not been in vain. Her admission of Michael’s vulnerabilities makes me feel protective of him. I won’t take it lightly. I want to cherish him just as much as he does me.
“And you,” she pokes Michael in the chest. “Complortate.” She fixes him with a stern look, but the gleam in her eyes betrays her.
“Si, Paquita. Buenas noches.” They hug before she turns to walk down to her room, and again I’m warmed by the easy intimacy. Michael’s family shows their affection so openly. It’s so refreshing to see people be honest and true with each other. That’s the kind of closeness I crave.
Michael turns and prowls to me. There’s just no other way to describe his lithe, focused movements as his feet meet the tips of my toes and walk me back into the kitchen until my ass hits the counter. Before I can register what’s happening in the darkened room, his hands cage me in on both sides, pressing our chests together as he dips his head and starts kissing and nipping behind my ear.
“So what were you and my grandmother talking about?” he whispers huskily as he drags his tongue over the shell of my ear.
Shivering, I can barely squeak out, “Nothing,” as my body trembles beneath his touch. His hand cradles my head, fingers threading through my hair as he plants kisses down the line of my jaw, finally reaching my mouth.
“Nothing?” he breathes against my lips. My mouth parts, desperate for him. We’re so close but not close enough, breathing in each other’s air, barely an inch apart. It’s the most erotic thing I’ve ever experienced. I try to kiss him, but it’s futile, he pulls away just out of reach. His eyes are so dark with lust, I can barely see the gold flecks in them. “It didn’t sound like ‘nothing.’” His thumb traces over my cheekbone as his other hand gently caresses my hair, massaging my scalp. Damn it feels too good. I crave his mouth, need to feel his lips consume and destroy me, but he’s pinning me in place and I realize he’s not going to relent until I answer.
“She… she said you never brought a girl home before,” I whisper.
His thumb swipes over my bottom lip, but his eyes never leave mine as he says, “I haven’t. I don’t invite just anyone into my life, Vivian.” Still stroking my mouth, he continues. “My family is everything to me. I promised myself a long time ago that I would only bring a woman home to meet them when I was sure…” His gaze leaves mine to drop down to my mouth. He grips my bottom lip almost painfully as his eyes heat further.
“Sure… of what?”
Whatever he was going to say is lost as he claims my mouth in a fierce kiss. There’s nothing gentle about his lips, his tongue, as he invades me, devouring me from the inside out. His arms wrap around me tight, so tight I can barely breathe. This isn’t only lust, though. This feels like… possession. Like he’s making sure I can’t run away. My hands grasp his shoulders, trying to match his fervor and pulling him closer. Our hearts pound and throbbeneath our chests pressed so close together, as if we’ve become one. One body, one soul, one breath.
If this is what true love feels like…
I break away, gasping. Michael’s eyes are dazed, unfocused, as we stand there panting.Can’t be. No. Too much. Too fast.My words tumble inside my head, too hard to grasp just as it’s too hard to breathe.
This can’t possibly be love already, can it?
I’ve never known love could feel like this.
His shoulders heave as his eyes pierce mine, staring into my soul with that intensity I’ve quickly become accustomed to. Trying to figure out what I’m thinking, I close my eyes, not ready to admit my feelings to myself, let alone to him. If I open them, if he looks at me, he’s going to know. He’ll be able to read what I cannot say just yet. He has that uncanny ability. He says it’s “paying attention,” but I swear he’s a mind reader.
A soft touch brings me back down to earth. Michael runs his knuckles across my cheek, tucking my hair behind my ear. It’s a tender caress, nothing at all like that fevered claiming before. I stand there trembling, his body still pressed to mine, this time his warmth providing security and reassurance. He ignites fireworks in my belly, while also providing safe refuge from the storm. No pressure, no demands. Just a gorgeous man, the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, standing there patiently radiating undeniable love. His gaze misses nothing and promises everything. Michael holds me close, strong arms wrapped around me, eyes never wavering from mine. Holding my body, holding my heart.
I know it now without a doubt; I recognize it for what it is. This is how everything locks into place.
That truth. That I never want to let him go. Ever.
