Eternally His

He laid me down on my bed, and I managed to pry my eyes open in time to see him standing over me. His thick fingers trailed through my hair, and I stared up at him in awe. He was beautiful in the moonlight, my avenging angel. I was so sleepy, and everything seemed surreal.

“Goodnight, tesoro.” He pulled away slowly, seeming reluctant to break contact.

My hand shot out to grab his wrist, keeping him close. “Where are you going?” Alarm began to penetrate my pleasant haze.

His lips pressed in a grim line, and his eyes tightened with pain. “I’m going to sleep in my room.” He caressed my cheek, tracing the lines of my face as though wanting to memorize me. “I don’t want to hurt you again.”

“You won’t,” I said, knowing it deep in my bones. “You would never hurt me.”

He shook his head. “I don’t know if I can control myself if I dream about…” he trailed off, not wanting to talk about his vulnerability, his days in captivity.

I released his wrist so that I could squeeze his big hand in a pulse of comfort. “It’s okay,” I promised, even as my stomach sank. I never wanted to cause him pain. “I understand.”

I didn’t want him to leave, but I couldn’t bear to ruin this perfect night by stirring his darkest memories. If he felt safer in his own bed, I wouldn’t guilt him into staying with me. No matter how much it pained me to be separated from him after our intense union.

He leaned down and brushed a sweet kiss over my forehead, a silent thank you.

With that, he left me alone, closing the door between us.

I drew in a shaky breath. No, I wasn’t alone. Not anymore. Not now that I had Sebastián.

CHAPTER 24

ISABEL

A twinge of pain between my legs made me wince, and Sebastián took my hand to help me finish getting to my feet.

“Are you all right, tesoro?” he asked, his tone warm and tender.

I beamed at him, happy to feel the soreness in my core. I’d never been happier in my life than I was now that Sebastián and I were truly married. The discomfort only added to my joy, and the reminder that my husband had taken my virginity last night made my cheeks flush with warmth.

“I’m okay,” I promised. “More than okay.” I went up onto my toes and brushed a kiss over his cheek, not caring that we were in the middle of a bustling restaurant in the middle of the day. I was proud for people to see me with Sebastián. For them to know that I was his.

A small smile quirked his lips, my taciturn husband’s equivalent of a broad grin. Something hot and bright expanded in my chest, until I thought I wouldn’t be able to contain the swell of emotion. I loved seeing him smile. I loved pleasing him. He’d done so much to protect me and ensure my contentment. I wanted to give the same to him in return. I’d never be strong enough to physically keep him safe, but I could do everything in my power to protect his heart. I resolved to be a good wife to him. I might even make his dinners all by myself one day.

The idea of such domesticity made me almost absurdly happy. I could refashion my cold, cavernous childhood house into a home for us both. Somewhere we could come at the end of every day and feel safe and comfortable.

He brushed a lock of hair back from my cheek in a shockingly gentle gesture from such a stoic, hard man. “What do you want to do next, nenita?”

I laced my fingers with his, and we made our way toward the exit.

“I’d like to go shopping,” I declared. “I want to explore some new designs for the house.”

His brows lifted as he opened the door for me, ushering me out into the bright sunlight. “Are you thinking of redecorating?”

“Yes.” My mind was made up. Instead of planning our next lavish party, I’d put my time and effort into making the mansion our home. Maybe I’d even redesign the master bedroom so that we could share it.

The idea of sleeping in separate beds made my bubble of happiness deflate slightly, but I resolutely dismissed the thought. We would resolve that, somehow. I didn’t want to live separately from Sebastián anymore. Not ever again.

“Will you go to work now?” I asked as we strolled down the street, arm in arm.

He’d entrusted his morning duties to Rafael, so he could spend more time with me after our first night together. He hadn’t spoken much more than usual, but he’d doted on me for hours, making sure I was comfortable and content.

His black eyes twinkled with a mischievous light I’d never seen before. “No, Rafael will keep an eye on things for me today. I have some shopping to do too. Will you be okay on your own for a little while?”