Placing my hand on her back, I follow the marks with my fingers. “We moved to Seattle when I was a baby, and they opened a bakery. My earliest memories of them were always seeing them work.” After clearing my throat, I take a deep breath.
“I started helping them at the age of six, mostly packing the shelves.” A nostalgic smile tugs at my lips. “I loved watching my mom bake. The way her hands moved would mesmerize me for hours.”
Lara’s eyes are locked on my face.
“It was a hot day. I remember my shirt clung to my body from all the sweat. Mazur had been threatening my parents for weeks, and on that day, he sent men to shoot and kill them. First my father, then my mother. I watched them fall and their blood seeped onto the floor. I watched the life drain from my father’s eyes, and I promised to make Mazur pay.”
When I look down at Lara again, a tear spirals down her cheek. I catch the drop, and bringing it to my lips, I taste the saltiness of her compassion for me.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers as she moves onto her knees and wraps her arms around my neck. “You’ve suffered much longer than me because of Mazur.”
Holding her, I take a deep breath of her scent. “Even though I did my best to corrupt you, you still smell like innocence.”
“Then you’ll just have to corrupt me some more,” she teases as she pulls back.
“I’ll have to find creative ways seeing as you’ll be sore for at least a day.”
We spend the entire night talking and teasing, getting to know each other on a deeper level. It’s only when the sun starts rising that we finally give in to sleep, and with Lara in my arms, it feels as if I’ve found the other half of me.
Chapter 39
Lara
After showering, I stand in my bathroom, looking at my reflection in the mirror.
I’m struggling to see the maid I used to be. My hair is healthier, and with the weight I’ve picked up, my curves have filled out, making me look like a woman and not a starving child.
Last night I had sex for the first time. Even though it was my choice to give myself to Gabriel, it amazes me that he chose me.
He could have anyone, but still, he was buried deep inside me.
He came inside me.
My skin heats as I remember the intimate moments we shared. How hot he looked when he orgasmed. How brutally attractive and powerful he looked while he came in my mouth.
My stomach explodes with butterflies at the memories.
I’m tender between my legs, and it makes my lips curve up because I can still feel him inside me.
Gabriel loves me.
My eyes drift over my face, and I wonder what he sees when he looks at me.
I know I’m not beautiful, but Gabriel’s called me that several times.
I take in my nose, my cheekbones, and the curve of my lips.
“What are you doing?” Gabriel suddenly asks.
My eyes snap to him, my cheeks flushing because I was caught staring at myself. “Ah… nothing.”
Dressed in a pair of black cargo pants and long sleeve shirt, he looks devastatingly handsome. Moving closer to me, his eyes slowly drift over my naked body.
“It didn’t look like nothing.” Locking eyes with me, he gives me a pointed look. “I hate it when you keep things from me.”
My shoulders slump, and exhaling, I admit, “I wondered what you see when you look at me.”
He lifts a hand to my face and brushes his finger over the bridge of my nose to the tip. “A cute nose.” He continues to trail his finger over my jaw and bottom lip, then he cups my cheek and leans down, so we’re eye to eye. “I see intoxicating innocence and mesmerizingly blue eyes that have imprisoned me.”
My chest fills with confidence as his hand lowers to my breast, his palm following the swell before brushing over my ribs and waist. “Your body is perfect, Lara. Your breasts. Your curves.” His hand slips between my legs, the pad of his middle finger gently stroking me.
A breath bursts over my lips, and my body instinctively leans closer to his. Lifting my arms, I place my hands on his shoulders, loving how broad they are.
He keeps massaging me, then takes a step closer, so his body presses against mine. His features tighten with a predatory look, his eyes starting to burn with desire.
“One touch is all it takes to turn me on. I want to fuck you, Lara. Until we pass out from pure exhaustion.”
My breaths speed up as pleasure unfurls deep inside me.
“How sore are you?” he asks.
“Not much,” I lie, knowing he’ll stop if I tell him I feel tender down there.
Slowly he pushes a finger inside me. I lift onto my tiptoes and feel his breaths fan over my forehead. Tilting my head, I wrap my arm around the back of his neck and pull him closer until I can feel his breaths on my lips.