Each caress of his lips on my own sent tingles through my body. His hands were warm and firm as he cupped my head.
I reached for him, my hands landing awkwardly on his back as I slid them around to his chest, but then he pulled away.
I pouted, and he laughed, then he buckled me in, gave me a quick kiss, and closed the door.
It was odd not being able to see.
Before I met Marco, being alone in the dark was the only time I felt like I could be myself. It was my safety net, but also where I relived the nightmare that was my life. It was helpful and hurtful, solace and terror.
I used to listen to footsteps to judge when my father would beat me. Now I listened for Marco's footsteps with excitement and anticipation, because being in his arms felt like exactly where I was supposed to be.
Marco had changed me for the better, and I didn't think I'd ever be able to find the words or actions to express the full depths of just how much he meant to me. But I'd try, for as long as I could—my whole life if I was lucky.
Marco slid in beside me, put the car in gear, then placed his hand on my thigh. Turning his hand palm side up, I scratched the center softly while he drove.
We never spoke, simply basked in each other's presence and the low music on the radio. While I didn't know where we were going, I knew we'd left the city. Lights blared brightly even with my eyes closed and the blindfold on, but they'd grown less frequent, until all that was left were the streetlights and occasional cars.
I wanted to ask him where he was taking me, but I didn't. Whatever he'd done and put so much thought into was forme. Still, my heartbeat sped up a little when we parked.
"We're here," he said breathlessly.
Is he nervous?
He squeezed my hand, and I felt for my seatbelt, taking it off while he opened my door. Then he scooped me up into his arms again, and I giggled, clinging to him.
"You know, if you took off this blindfold, I could walk and you wouldn't have to carry me."
He chuckled. "And who says I don't enjoy carrying you?"
"I'm just saying it would be more practical, plus your arms will get tired after a while."
"Lina, I bench press three times your weight to make sure I'll always be able to carry you, anything you want, and our future children, without a problem. Now respectfully, my vicious little queen, love of my life, master of my heart and soul, shut up."
I laughed, even as my cheeks heated, burying my head in the crook of his neck.
Finally, he set me down and guided me to turn before taking off my blindfold.
I blinked at the buildings in front of me. To the left was a guard station and parking. In the center was a row of houses and what looked like an eight or nine-floor building of… apartments? To the right was a large, four-floor beige building with flowers at the entrance and a sign that read "Welcome To The Studio."
"Marco? What is all of this?"
"I wanted to do something for the trafficked victims and their families. We've brought some of them home and set up housing for those that don't have anywhere to return to, but we had to rush everything. Some have parents that are older and need their own assistance, not to take care of someone else. Others need medical and psychological help. Several have missed years of school and will need support to get their GED. This—" he motioned around us "—is a place just for them."
He pointed to the rows of houses. "These houses are set up for the families. We have three nurses on call who can help with any type of care they require." He pointed to the tall building beside them. "These are condos. There's ninety condos, all over one-thousand-two-hundred square feet, fully furnished and ready for them to move in. And the studio—" he pointed behind me "—is their learning center. If anyone needs a therapist or medical attention, they can go there. If they want to exercise, there's an indoor swimming pool, tennis, volleyball, and basketball court, and a library. There are even instructors that we've hired—all women—to hold classes. They can be tutored here as well in any subjects they want to learn."
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I took it all in. This place… he'd built a sanctuary for our people. "How… how did you do all of this? Why…?"
His smile was radiant, dazzling, even with my blurred vision. "I had help. Naya and Jo gave me a lot to go over. This is what I've been working on, and as for why. Well…" He got down on one knee.
My hands flew to my mouth, and I took a step back, shock flooding through me.
What is he doing? He can't be. Is he…?
"I know how much your familia means to you, Catalina. I know you feel responsible for them and I respect that about you. But I don't just want it to be yours, or mine. I want it to beours. I knew you were the one for me the moment I laid eyes on you two years ago. I didn't know how I'd convince you or what we'd go through, but what I did know was I wanted to go through it with you, together. That's all I want. You are all I need in this world. I love you, Catalina, and I'm asking, truly begging you, to give me the highest honor I could ever have. Marry me, please, my vicious little queen."
My entire body shook. But when his beautiful brown eyes filled with tears, I rushed to him. I threw my arms around him and collapsed as my knees gave way. He caught me, just like I knew he would, and I kissed him.
I kissed him over and over. I kissed his cheeks, his head, hugged him as tightly as I could.
