The moon rises high in the sky before Hector joins me in bed that night. I wait to feel his warmth against me.
It never comes.
Instead, there’s only coolness, distance, lost opportunities. He could pull me close and bed me again. He could do many things. He chooses not to.
“I’m sorry I was so disappointing you now feel the need to ignore me.” The pain in my words sear through me like a hot knife.
“Sol…”
“Don’t…” I wrench my fingers around the bedcover. “Please don’t patronize me. I’m not simple. I know why you’re acting so distant. You regret bedding me.”
“You didn’t disappoint me.” He grabs my hand and pulls me against him. “You consume me. Every moment. Every touch.” Using his fingertips, he trails them down the length of my arm. “I knew if I bedded you, I wouldn’t be able to resist you anymore.”
I consume him? I have never had that kind of effect on anyone before.
“Then don’t resist me.” Shamelessly, I move to straddle his lean waist. “Make me yours again.”
A deep breath escapes him as he frames my hips with his hands. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”
“I do know. Now that you have bedded me, I want it again.”
“I’m possessive.” He yanks me close enough to feel his hardness against me. “I don’t share, nor do I let go of what is mine.”
“Am I yours?” Boldness fuels me as I lean over until my lips nearly brush his.
“Yes,” he growls as he plants a kiss against my mouth and jerks my nightdress up.
I welcome his touch. His mouth against mine. Him bedding me again.
Hector doesn’t know it yet, but he consumes me too.
ChapterThirty-Five
For the second morning in a row, I wake after Hector. I shift to observe him sitting against the headboard.
“Good morning,” I whisper.
He reaches for me and pulls me until I’m resting against him. “Sol.”
I run my fingertips over the tattoo on his right arm. “Will you tell me what was bothering you yesterday?”
“Shall I give away all my secrets?” he asks, his voice light and teasing.
“Yes.” I inhale, gathering the boldness to speak. “You hurt me yesterday. I was really vulnerable, and you hurt me.”
“I’m sorry, Sol,” he says, his tone low, apologetic. “I’m a real ass. I have no excuse for my behavior.”
“Why did you shut me out?” Needing the connection, I grab his hand and curl my fingers around his. “Don’t say you didn’t. I know what being shut out feels like. My father was a master at it.”
“Fear.” Hector squeezes back and continues to speak honestly. “Fear of waking one day and not having you next to me. Fear of my reaction. Fear of not being able to cope.”
I swallow through the ash burning my throat.
“Hector—.”
“—don’t.” He shifts me enough to place his fingers gently against my mouth. “I know how torn you are, Sol. I bedded you anyway. So, my fears…they are mine to deal with.”
For a long moment, we sit in silence, his hand clasped tightly in mine. Then, he leans over and touches his mouth to mine. As he kisses me, I sense the desperation in him. The need. The desire to lose himself in me.
