Page 60 of Seductive Desires

“Nothing. I don’t have anything to wear. I didn’t bring a lot.”

I felt him behind me, pulling me up and against him. “That’s not what’s wrong, is it?”

I clutched at his arms, swallowing against the lump in my throat. I shook my head.

“What is it, mi amor?”

I turned, wrapping my arms around his waist. He held me close, kissing the top of my head. He didn’t rush me, he just waited, rocking me ever so slightly.

“I’m afraid if you walk away I’ll wake up and this will have all been a dream.”

He tilted my face up and kissed me gently. “Then I will not walk away. I am not losing you again, mariposa.”

* * *

I endedup wearing the same dress as the day before so we could run to the market down the road. Mateo threw on his shirt, leaving it unbuttoned. It was distracting, like playing peek a boo with his abs. He held my hand as we walked and I found my free hand trailing along the low walls. I didn’t even realize I was doing it until Mateo pointed it out. I blinked a few times.

“I used to do it when my mom and I walked to the market for groceries. I forgot I used to do that…”

His hand tightened around mine and when I looked at him, his eyes were soft. “I am proud of you, Mariana, for coming here.”

I tilted my head slightly. “Why?”

“I am sure the memories of your mother are bittersweet because she is no longer with you. But you told me you didn’t get to experience your culture. It is good that you are here so that you can see where she lived and learn more about her.”

I smiled, bumping his shoulder. “I thought you’d be happy I was finally taking a vacation.”

He nodded. “That too. You deserve to have some fun.”

We finally made it to a street that was lined with stalls. The stalls all had different items, from shoes and bags to fruits and vegetables. I picked a pretty blue dress with embroidery along the collar and on the skirt. Mateo found another short sleeve button up. It matched the embroidery on my dress. I was so overjoyed with it that I almost didn’t notice him grossly overpaying the stall owner. The poor man kept trying to hand the money back but Mateo just patted his shoulder and walked away.

“You do know you overpaid, right?”

He shrugged. “He needs it more than I do. Besides, the clothes made you smile. That is worth more to me than money.”

I melted, wrapping myself around him. He was too charming sometimes. Maybe it was Carmen who had her work cut out for her. Resisting this man’s charm was impossible.

I periodically sent updates to Amari. She didn’t reply so I assumed she was on a plane right now. We made it to the swing before Carmen so I sat with Mateo and just enjoyed the moment. I didn’t know how many moments we’d get like this after we returned to Chicago… wait…

“Mateo?”

“Hmm?”

“What happens next?”

He looked down at me, raising an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I live in Chicago, you live in Columbia. How is that going to work?”

“Ah.” He looked out over the water. “I am already looking for a new home in Chicago with the help of Dmitriy.”

My jaw dropped. “Really?”

He rocked the swing gently, his arm slung around my shoulder. He gave me an affectionate smile. “I already told you I’d move to Mexico to be with you. Why would Chicago be any different?”

“But…”

He shook his head. “You have been forced from your home enough in your life, Mariana. If Chicago is where you want to settle, then that is where we will settle. I am not making you move again.”

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