Page 78 of Tension
Her kiss is tender, yet hesitant, as if she’s afraid to break the fragile spell enveloping us. My hand slides down, fingers tracing along her neck and over her shoulder, before settling at her waist. The towel shifts slightly, causing my breath to hitch at the bare softness of her skin beneath my touch.
Our kiss deepens as passion slowly builds like embers igniting into flames. Her arms tighten around my neck, pulling me impossibly closer, her body molding perfectly against mine. I lift her effortlessly, carrying her toward the bed, our mouths never separating as I lay her down gently.
“I want you,” she whispers against my mouth, her words fueling a fire that threatens to consume us both. Her eyes search mine, vulnerable yet fiercely certain.
“You have me,” I answer softly, sincerity saturating every word. “All of me, Vaeda.”
I slowly pull away the towel, my breath catching at the perfection of her body beneath me. My fingertips trail over her curves, mapping her skin like sacred terrain, memorizing every inch. Her hands reach for me, gently guiding my clothes away, discarding layers until there’s nothing separating us.
Her breath quickens, matching the rapid rhythm of my heart. I take my time, savoring every sigh, every gasp that escapes her lips, imprinting them into memory. We move together, our bodies blending seamlessly, each motion a silent vow. Ourbreaths mingle with whispers of affection and vulnerability filling the space between us.
“I need you,” she murmurs, her fingers threading through my hair as she pulls me closer, deeper into her embrace.
Every touch is exquisite torture, every kiss a revelation. Our bodies become poetry, a dance choreographed by the deepest parts of our souls. The moment I sink inside of her, pleasure surges through us, intense and beautiful, shattering every wall we’ve built. And when we reach the edge together, tumbling over in perfect harmony, it feels as though I’m seeing clearly for the very first time. The world around us fades, leaving only Vaeda and the profound certainty that this is exactly where I’m meant to be.
We lie tangled together afterward, our breathing slowly evening out. Her head rests against my chest, her fingers tracing gentle patterns over my heart. My hand gently strokes her hair, my other arm wrapped protectively around her slender frame.
Turning her face gently up to mine, I brush the hair from her cheek, eyes locking onto hers. My heart pounds, vulnerability gripping me tightly, yet I know these words are unstoppable.
“I love you, Vaeda,” I whisper, my voice filled with absolute certainty and raw emotion.
Her eyes widen slightly, a shadow flickering across them, but she says nothing. The silence between us stretches painfully, yet I hold her gaze, unwavering. Her silence echoes in my heart, a stark contrast to the truth I’ve just offered so openly.
Still, she remains quiet, her response lost somewhere behind her unreadable eyes.
VAEDA
The moment he says the words, I want so badly to say them back. I’ve made the decision to end my marriage, but Gerardo doesn’t know that yet. I want to be able to tell him it’s over, to have everything finalized before I say those words to Mateo.
Most of all, I want to mean them.
I know my feelings run deep for the man who’s looking into my eyes, searching for a reciprocation that’s sealed inside my chest. There’s no right or wrong way to end a marriage and start a relationship with someone else. It’s a different journey for everyone.
“I need just a little more time,” I whisper as his eyes widen and his expression grows slack with surprise.
“What?” His voice is hoarse as he sits up, letting the blanket fall away from his body. “You’re choosing him again.”
“No.” I reach out to touch his arm, but he pulls away from me, his face a mask of agony. “That’s not it. I have some things to work out with Gerardo tomorrow—”
“What?” he yells as he scrambles out of the bed, his devastation evident in the heaving of his chest with every breath. “He’s coming here? Did you invite him here? You wanted to have your fun with me first, right?”
His words are ripping a hole inside my chest with how hurt he sounds, and I begin to tremble as he haphazardly pulls on his clothes.
“He always knew about the competition, and he decided to come here before I decided this—”
“Before you decided to fuck me and shred my heart into tiny pieces!” he bellows as tears run down his cheeks.
“No!” I throw off the blankets and get out of bed, approaching him with my hands out. “No, that’s not it.”
“You keep pulling me in, and the moment I become putty in your hands, you shove me away. You act like you feel sorry for your husband, that you want to be with me, but all you want isto have your cake and eat it too.” He swipes his cell phone off the table as I grab the sheet off the bed to wrap around my body.
“Please,” I beg him. “Just hear me out.”
“I’m done!” he exclaims as I turn around, unable to look at him and the hatred brimming in his eyes for me. A sob escapes my throat as a bitter laugh sounds behind me.
“You had your fun with a young man, now you can continue your boring life with your old husband.” His words are filled with vitriol, and when I turn to yell at him to listen to me, he’s already halfway out my door.
“Mateo!” I call out to him, but he ignores me, letting the door shut behind him.
