Page 66 of No Darker Temptation

“Where do you see yourself twenty years from now?”

His question catches me off guard. “What?”

“Envision your life twenty years from now. Where are you, who are you with, what are you doing.”

“Are you having a mortality crisis because Manuel died? Is that why you’re asking?”

“I’m asking because I want to know.” He turns to face me. “Do you see yourself marrying me?”

I lift a brow at him. “I certainly hope this isn’t you asking. It doesn’t feel like the most opportune moment.”

He brushes the back of his hand against my cheek. “Just answer the question.”

“I see myself with you,” I answer honestly. “In our house with our family.”

The corner of his mouth quirks. “Are you going to give me children one day?”

“Maybe. Depends on how I feel.” I fail at suppressing a smile. “But we’ll have to be married first.”

His nose scrunches at the thought. “I’d never dream of having a child out of wedlock. I think I was raised a little too old-fashioned for that.”

This is the first time we’ve ever had a serious conversation about our future. It isn’t how I imagined nor do I think he’s asking for the right reasons. But I don’t think he’s asking for the wrong reasons either.

“Why all this sudden curiosity in the future? I’m sad to hear about Manuel but is his death really affecting you that much? Or maybe it’s something else…something deeper. And his death is only reminding you of it now.”

Alejandro doesn’t answer right away. “When I figure that out I’ll tell you. Until then I just needed to know how you felt.”

“I’m too young to get married,” I warn. “And much too young to think about children. I want those things with you—I know I’ll have those things with you—but not right now. Ask me again in a few years.”

He releases a shuddering breath and closes his eyes as I press my palm against his chest.

“What’s wrong?”

“You said you wanted those things with me. Not just that you wanted them.”

“I couldn’t imagine having all those things with someone who isn’t you.” I touch the side of his face and kiss his cheek. “I only hope you’re all right with waiting a few years because I’m not ready. Not yet at least.”

“I’d wait a lifetime if you asked me to.” He brushes his lips against mine and I kiss him back. “Just how tired are you?”

“Oh, exhausted.” I move back across the mattress but he follows, body hovering over mine. “In fact, I think I’m going to fall asleep right now.”

“Really?”

“Mhm.”

His eyes scan my face once. Then he yanks me forward by the ankles and buries himself between my legs where this time, he does finish.

LA BOQUERIA

Dahlia

“Ithink it’s weird.”

Karina turns the map over in her hands and I cling to her arm, eyes darting up and down the length of the train, my paranoia spiraling out of control. Despite having lived here for seven months, I’ve yet to fully transform from tourist to native. It’s why my roster of activities only include places close to the house and I never venture farther than where I’m familiar. On the fourth day of her visit, Karina decides to change that.

“Why do you need an escort? What are you, five?”

“Pedro’s one of our drivers, not an escort, Kay,” I say. “Besides, I’m the one that doesn’t like leaving the house alone. It has nothing to do with Alejandro.”