Her eyes softened, but not with joy. Instead, something close to heartache filled her eyes. "Why? What do you want from me, Marco?"
I knew what she was asking. Why did I form an alliance with her? What was the favor I'd ask for later? Why had I spent so much time with her?
But was she finally ready to hear the answer?
"I tell you every day, Catalina." I rubbed my thumb over her lips, mesmerized by them, byher."Every single day. But you never listen."
Gently, she kissed my thumb, and I had to bite back a groan.
"And what if I was ready to listen now?"
Then you'd make me the happiest man alive.
I caressed the side of her neck. "After the party, save some time for me, and I'll tell you. I'll make sure that you know exactly what I want from you, without a shadow of a doubt. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes," she whispered.
I kissed her forehead and pulled myself away, because if I didn't, we wouldn't leave her house for weeks and there wouldn't be a single surface in her home I hadn't fucked her on.
16
Catalina
It had been three days. That was it, and yet I missed Marco so much I physicallyached.
He'd been true to his word, had called, texted, or emailed me multiple times a day. He made sure I never skipped a meal, even sent me snacks and desserts he knew or thought I would like.
But none of it was enough.
I missed seeing him. I missed his dimples when he smiled, his scent, the hints of his tattoos at his collar and wrists that I was always so curious about. I missed his presence, the sound of his footsteps and breathing when we worked quietly in my office. The way he brought life to a room. And now that I knew what his lips tasted like, how his hands felt on my body, I missed that, too.
After he left, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel—if there would be regret or if I’d feel ashamed and foolish. But I didn't.
Every time my mind spiraled, the memory of his lips, the brush of his tongue against mine, the sound of his soft groans, and firmness of his body came rushing back to me, leaving me wanting more.
I couldn’t wait to see him. Ineededto see him, and hopefully soon I would.
The party was in full swing, the room filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. It was everything I had ever wanted—arealfamily that I felt like I belonged in—but somehow, I still felt empty.
Until Marco walked in.
Dressed in a black button-down shirt and black pants, he looked like sin. His hair was perfectly messy, as if he'd raked his hands through it several times.
Our eyes locked, and when he smiled at me, I once again felt whole.
Several men followed him in, I assumed from his familia, but my eyes never left Marco's. When I took a deep breath, the air felt cleaner, fresher, like it had been tainted since the last day I saw him.
Marco ignored everyone as he approached me, and with each step, my heart beat faster. The surrounding people fell away. No one dared to enter his path, and when he was finally standing close enough to touch, he took my hand and brought it to his lips.
His devilish smirk grew into a full grin. "I've missed you, my vicious little queen," he whispered, bringing my hand to his cheek, nuzzling it, sending warmth through my body.
"I’ve missed you too, my devil."
He raised an eyebrow, and I giggled.
"It turns out your nickname matches you perfectly."
He chuckled, spinning me into his arms, swaying with me in time to the music. "How so?"
