Chapter 32
CASSANDRA
Cassandra is buzzing with anticipation for tonight. Her period is over, and she’s ready to make love to Emilio again.
They’ll be heading home in a week, and the thought brings a pang of sadness. They’ve spent the last two days in their own little bubble, free from the world. Emilio is on another phone call, so she puts Alex down for his nap. Her son is growing cuter by the day, looking more and more like his dad.
As she leaves his room, Emilio corners her against the wall. His hands slide under her shirt, finding her breasts, and she wraps her arms around his neck. He lifts her up without hesitation and carries her to their bed.
In the master bedroom, Emilio quickly undresses her, and soon they’re both naked. His mouth finds her nipple, and she arches her back, pleasure coursing through her. She tangles her fingers in his hair, holding him in place to savor his touch.
Emilio’s hand travels down her thigh, leaving a trail of heat, until it reaches her throbbing center. Cassandra gasps as two fingers slip inside her, almost making her lose control. Her grip on his hair tightens.
Cassandra is on fire for Emilio, craving him like air. Her fingers explore his body while his touch drives her wild. She feels her muscles tighten until she can’t hold back anymore, and she climaxes.
EMILIANO
Emiliano kisses Cassie, a wet, demanding kiss that she returns with equal passion. As their tongues dance, he teases her nipple, and a soft moan escapes her lips. Her hips squirm beneath him, so he positions himself between her thighs.
God, she’s so warm and wet. She feels incredible.
Emiliano growls. It’s been four long days without feeling Cassie like this, without touching her silky skin.
He begins to move inside her, long thrusts that make her moan in pleasure. She matches his rhythm, surrendering to him. He loves this about her: every emotion, every sensation is visible in her eyes, in her body.
Emiliano feels Cassie tighten around him as she climaxes again.
Before she can catch her breath, he flips her over and has her bend over the bed. Holding her hips, he plunges deep inside her, climaxing between her thighs. But he doesn’t stop, moving with such urgency that cries of pleasure and pain escape her lips. Minutes later, they both surrender to the ecstasy shaking their bodies.
Their hearts beat as one.
Emiliano lies down and pulls Cassie into his arms. They’re both sweaty and panting, so he gently strokes her hair and back.
After a while, he murmurs, “I’ve missed that.”
“Me too.” Emiliano is still hard, and Cassie brushes against him. “It gets better each time.”
“I’ve never wanted anyone like this,” he confesses.
“Neither have I,” she whispers back.
CASSANDRA
Cassandra straddles Emilio, slowly taking him inside her, swallowing every delicious inch of him. If she can’t express her feelings for him openly, she can at least show him when they make love.
Later, spent and sweaty, she collapses on top of him. Soon, she falls asleep in the safety of his arms.
***
In the middle of the night, Cassandra hears a groan, like someone in pain. She lifts her head and sees Emilio, drenched in sweat and shaking slightly.
He’s having a nightmare.
She gently touches his shoulder. “Emilio, wake up,” she whispers, but he doesn’t respond. “Emiliano!” she calls, shaking him gently.
He wakes up, panting heavily. He sits up, his eyes meet hers, and for a moment, he looks confused.
“Are you okay?” Cassandra asks.
He gets out of bed, still naked, and walks over to the window.
“Emilio…?” She puts on her robe and follows him.
Cassandra touches his arm, and he turns to face her. “Are you okay?” he asks, concern in his voice.
He’s the one who had the nightmare, and he’s worried about her?
Emilio’s eyes are unreadable, devoid of any emotion.
“Did I hurt you?”
You could never hurt me, she thinks.
“No,” she says softly.
“Go to bed,” he tells her.
“No. I’m not going to bed alone.”
“Cassie…”
“Emilio, let’s not argue. It’s late—let’s go back to bed.” Cassandra takes his hand and leads him back to their bed.
He lies down next to her and holds her in his arms. “It’s not safe for you to sleep with me.”
“That’s ridiculous—we all have nightmares. I’m not scared of you; I know you won’t hurt me.”
“One of my ex-lovers wouldn’t agree with you,” he says softly.
“What do you mean?”
With her head on his chest, Cassandra can hear his strong heartbeat. Her heart aches for him.
“I’m sure you’ve wondered why I never sleep with you all night,” Emilio starts. She nods. “It’s not because I don’t want to but because I can’t.”
Emilio falls silent for a moment before he continues. “I have these nightmares, about things I can’t make sense of. There’s always this figure, a man, but his face is hidden. When I try to ask him who he is, he disappears, and I’m left alone in the dark. Then, all of a sudden, I can’t breathe. My throat tightens, and I feel like I’m suffocating. Just when I think I’m about to pass out, I wake up.
“There was this one time, I was sleeping next to a woman I was seeing, and I had a nightmare so terrifying that I was thrashing around in my sleep. When I woke up, she was huddled in the corner of the room, shaking and scared out of her mind. She grabbed her things and left right then and there. I haven’t seen or heard from her since. After that, I made a point to never share a bed with anyone.”
Cassandra wishes she could tell Emilio the truth. Maybe then he’d understand his dreams, understand who the faceless man is. His father is probably restless in the afterlife, searching for him.
“When did the nightmares start?” she asks.
“Back in high school. But they’ve been happening more frequently as I’ve gotten older.”
“Does your mom know?”
“She does. I don’t want to share a bed with you—not until I can get a handle on these nightmares or figure out what they mean.”
“Emilio, I can’t agree to that. I know you would never hurt me. I trust you.”
“Cassandra…”
“I’m not going to let you argue with me on this. Consider it payback for all the gifts you’re going to insist on buying me.”
“You’re so stubborn,” Emilio murmurs, rolling over her.
“I prefer to think of myself as reasonable.”
His lips trace a path of kisses down her throat. “Is that so? Why don’t you show me just how reasonable you can be?”
“Gladly.”
Cassandra lets out a moan as his mouth meets hers.
Emilio takes his time, making love to her slowly, and by the time dawn breaks, they’re both exhausted. Sleep comes easily after that.
