And for both of us, forever is a stretch.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Carlos
I open my eyes to the most beautiful sight, Abby in my bed. I blink multiple times to make sure I’m not trapped in one of my many fantasies about her.
She’s really here, though...in my bed.
Her scent teases my senses, sending my brain into an almost dizzying spin. I rise up on my elbow to take her in completely.
She’s on her back, her shiny brown hair splayed across my pillow, its color is a beautiful contradiction against the sparkling white sheets. Her chest rises and falls, accentuating her full round breasts. My eyes linger on the tempting mounds, and my throat goes dry at the sight of her pebbled nipples.
Every inch of her curvaceous body looks unbearably tempting in her silk nightdress.
I want her so badly, and that’s evident in the ache of my hard member. But, patience, I repeat in my head for the thousandth time. Even if it kills me, I’ll wait until the right time, whenever that is.
Abby is special, and I’ll treat her with the respect that she deserves.
I still can’t believe the stroke of luck that brought Abby my way. I know that I haven’t done anything to deserve her, yet it seems like the universe has decided to smile my way.
Last night when she told me she liked me, I almost stopped breathing from shock and an unbelievable rush of happiness.
Happiness.
Yes, that word seems to have become a constant in my life since meeting her. I’d be a mobster and get shot a million times if it meant meeting her in all my lifetimes.
I let my gaze return to her rosy lips, wondering if I should give in to the insistent urge to kiss her. But I wouldn’t be able to stop with just a kiss, though...
My heart stutters in my chest when Abby stirs gently as if awoken by the intensity of my stare. She opens her eyes slowly, blinking several times as if to clear her sight. She smiles, and the day seems to magically brighten. My heart starts a complicated tango in my chest, and my stomach tangles up into tight knots.
“Good morning,” Abby murmurs, her soft voice made husky from sleep.
“God, you’re beautiful,” I murmur unconsciously. Her smile widens shyly, and her cheeks redden in an adorable blush. Finally, unable to resist the urge any longer, I lean forward and place a quick kiss on her lips. “Good morning to you too, Gorgeous.”
Abby chuckles and lowers her gaze as her cheeks grow even redder. “How long have you been awake?”
“Long enough to be completely mesmerized by the sheer beauty of you,” I tease, enjoying the way she seems to bloom even more beautifully at my compliments.
“Oh, stop,” Abby says with a short laugh. “I must look like a mess with my hair all over the place. I wasn’t snoring, was I?”
“Well...just enough to be adorable,” I reply with a teasing smile.
“Oh my God,” Abby groans, covering her face with her palms.
I gently remove her hands from her face and place a kiss on her forehead. “I was teasing you.”
Abby chuckles, but then her eyes suddenly grow worried and a little fearful. “What’s wrong, Abby?” I ask.
She clears her throat nervously. “I...need to tell you something, Carlos. I may have done something bad.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask, slightly confused.
Abby averts her gaze and lets out a deep breath as if steeling herself to be berated. “Last night, before you returned home. I... um... I snuck into your room and went through your drawer. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I know I shouldn’t have done that. I don’t know what I was thinking. I guess I was looking for reasons not to like you or to keep liking you. I don’t know. I was just here. God, I’m ranting. I’m so sorry.”
I chuckle and tuck a finger under her chin to raise her head. Her apologetic eyes meet mine. “I understand, Abby. You did what you felt you had to. There’s no need to be sorry. “
“Thanks for not getting mad at me,” Abby says with a small smile. “I...um...saw a letter from Crestview Hospital. You did that for my mom, right?”
I nod in reply, unable to find the words to explain myself. “I’m sorry. I should have told you. I thought you might not accept my help, though.”
“How did you know?” she asks. “About my mom, I mean....”
“You mentioned her on the night you got drunk,” I say without thinking. I clamp my lips together when I realize my blunder. “I probably shouldn’t have said that.”
“I did?” Abby asks, blinking in surprise. She sits up slowly, gaping comically at me. “When? How? Oh my God, I must have made a total fool of myself. “ Abby buries her head in her hands, making deep groaning sounds. She peeks at me from between her fingers. “Did I...Did I do anything embarrassing?”