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And then I remember Constantino stepping in to save me, looking like some avenging angel among sinners.
And then, oh God, the woods. The air heavy with the scent of damp earth, pine needles crunching beneath our feet.Constantino's eyes glinting with hunger as he pinned me against the rough bark of a tree, his breath hot against my neck. The raw intensity of our encounter, his possessive grip, and the way he made me feel both powerless and powerful all at once—it all comes flooding back.
"Shit," I murmur under my breath, heat spreading across my cheeks as an ache forms between my legs. Even just remembering our wild rendezvous is enough to make me feel alive and craving more.
My face flushes bright red as the memories roll through my mind, and I bolt for the bathroom. The cool tiles beneath my feet are a welcome contrast to the suffocating warmth of the bedroom. Staring into the mirror, I take in my disheveled appearance: twigs and leaves tangled in my hair, dirt and grime smeared across my face and body. But instead of feeling self-conscious, there's this strange sense of pride bubbling up inside me. For the first time, I don't care that I look like hell warmed over.
"Damn," I mutter, smirking at my reflection. "Who knew surviving the woods could be so...liberating?" And then it hits me—my clothes are nowhere to be found. Well, that's just great. Constantino really knows how to leave an impression, huh?
I shake off the lingering thoughts of last night and make my way back to the bedroom. I look around and find my phone on the nightstand. There's several missed calls and a text from Rachel greet me, her worry practically jumping off the screen. My fingers fly across the screen as I type out a response.
Hey Rach, I'm fine. Just left with a friend. Sorry to make you worry! See you at work in a few weeks.
I can almost hear her sigh of relief through the phone when she replies:
Thank God you're okay! Get some rest. We'll catch up soon. Take care of yourself.
Her concern both warms my heart and reminds me of the reality I need to face. I can't afford to let myself get caught up in Constantino's world—a world filled with danger and darkness I've only ever seen on TV shows or read about in books.
Returning to the bathroom, I can't help but marvel at the opulence surrounding me. The entire space is decked out in cream-colored marble and gold accents, with a massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling like an ornate crown. A grand mirror spans the length of one wall, making the room feel even larger than it already is.
My eyes are drawn to the centerpiece of this lavish sanctuary: a soaking jetted tub that could comfortably fit three people. It's practically begging me to submerge myself in its depths, to wash away the remnants of last night's wild encounter.
"Fuck it," I mutter, turning on the faucet and letting the water cascade into the tub, steam swirling around me as the jets begin to purr. As I wait for it to fill, I lean against the cool marble countertop, my mind racing with thoughts of Constantino and what transpired between us. It was raw, intense, and unlike anything I'd ever experienced before.
Finally, the tub is filled to the brim, a sea of frothy bubbles beckoning me to dive in. I slip into the hot water, feeling it envelop me like a liquid embrace. Sighing in relief, I allow myself to sink deeper, the powerful jets massaging my sore muscles as I close my eyes and give in to the tranquility.
Submerging my head under the water, I run my fingers through my hair, dislodging the twigs and leaves that have takenup residence there. As I resurface, images of last night continue to flood my mind—Constantino's heated gaze, his strong hands gripping my waist, the way he took control and made me forget all about my insecurities.
"Ugh," I groan, trying to shake off the memories. Yes, it happened, and yes, it was amazing. But dwelling on it won't do me any good. I need to focus on moving forward, getting away from this dangerous, murdering mob boss who's managed to entangle me in his web.
"Let's face it, Evelyn," I murmur to myself, "you're never going to feel as satisfied as you do right now. Men are shit, so you better enjoy the moment while it lasts."
I submerge myself once more, letting the water wash over me like a baptism of sorts—a cleansing of both body and soul. I can't change what happened last night, but I can take control of my future.
And that starts with leaving Constantino Maldonado behind...once and for all.
The moment my fingers start to prune, I reluctantly pull myself out of the tub. The memories of last night still linger, but now's not the time to dwell on it. I need to get dressed and figure out what the hell is going on.
I grab a plush towel from the rack, wrapping it around me as I step onto the cold marble floor. Walking over to the closet, I find a black velvet bathrobe waiting for me. With no other options, I slip into it, feeling its softness against my skin as I tie the sash around my waist.
"Better than nothing," I mutter, grabbing another towel to work through my damp hair.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly venture out of the bedroom, listening carefully to the eerie silence that envelops the mansion. It's unsettling, this quiet, like the calm before a storm—onewhere you can't tell if you're about to be struck by lightning or pummeled with hail.
"Hello?" I call out hesitantly, my voice barely above a whisper. No response.
I continue down the hall, each step echoing in the emptiness, searching for any sign of life. But there's nothing—just more silence and ornate decorations I don't dare touch. It's like walking through a haunted museum.
"Constantino?" I try again, louder this time. Still nothing.
Finally, I reach the front door and grasp the handle, only to find it locked. Panic starts to set in, tightening its grip around my chest as I sprint from door to window, each one locked just like the first.
"Shit, shit, shit," I hiss under my breath, trying to keep my fear in check.
A thousand thoughts race through my mind, each more terrifying than the last. Is Constantino planning something sinister? Did he lock me in here to keep me away from my family and friends? Or does he think that our encounter from yesterday isn't over?
"Focus, Evelyn," I tell myself, taking a deep breath. "You've dealt with worse than this. You can handle it."
