Chapter 8

MARCOS

Bianca had been on duty last night, but that didn’t stop me from going straight to her workplace to ask what Emily was doing back in town.

I was full of hope that she’d returned for good, to stay. Part of me imagined she might be hurting from a recent breakup, but at the same time, I was glad because it meant she was free to be won over again.

I’d always hated seeing any guy touch her, even before we started hooking up. Something inside me screamed that she needed to be protected, cherished. Emily was pure, innocent, and sweet—she should stay that way, but I couldn’t resist her.

After the day I felt her lips, I knew I couldn’t go back and let others kiss my girl. Like anyone else, she had desires, even if she was just starting to discover them, and she’d find them with any guy or man she wanted.

But I’d never let another touch her. She was mine and no one else’s.

“Can I know why you’re here at this hour?” Bianca had just become a nurse and was already completely dedicated to her job.

“I waited for you at home until Joshua reminded me you were on duty.” Her impatient look made me get to the point. “Emily’s here. She’s back, Bianca.”

“Emily? Your Emy?” I nodded. “No way. We talked the other day, and she didn’t mention anything about coming.”

“Well, I saw her at the supermarket earlier today.” She opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off. “And before you say I’m hallucinating, Bruno and Pedro were with me. When they said her name, she turned around right away, and I knew it was her.”

“She didn’t tell me anything. Why would she come here and not tell me?” That was a question I wanted answered too.

“You’re the only one she’ll talk to, and I need to know if she’s here to stay.”

Bianca narrowed her eyes at me. I knew she didn’t want to get involved in my story with her friend. She’d said from the start she didn’t want to lose her friend or hate her brother.

Emily hadn’t told her about the day she left, hadn’t told my sister the awful things I said to her. So I wouldn’t be the one to spill it either. They had an agreement, and I respected that.

“I’ll only be able to talk to her tomorrow morning when I’m off duty. But don’t worry, we’ll talk, and I’m sure she’ll tell me what’s going on.”

YEARS AGO

Sleeping with that soft body on top of mine was my new favorite thing. I wasn’t the type to cuddle after a hookup, and yet here I was. I hadn’t even slept with Emy, but she was wrapped in my arms, her face resting on my chest.

We’d kissed for hours last night, and I could still see the result on her delicate lips, now slightly swollen.

We stayed on that couch for a good while, and damn, we ended up falling asleep. My dick was aching for relief, but I wasn’t going to do that with her.

I was only there to stop her from hooking up with someone else. That was my lame excuse.

We slept tangled together, and it was the best feeling—that warm, soft, delicate little body on mine.

She stirred, and I got a better look at her face in the morning light. She was even more beautiful in the morning, with her messy brown hair, her matching brown eyes a bit puffy, and that cheeky smile on her face.

“Good morning, Emy,” I said, brushing the bangs from her face until I could see her eyes clearly.

I shouldn’t have kissed her last night. It was the most wrong thing I’d ever done. Emy was still in high school, and I was twenty-one. We were complete opposites.

But all it took was remembering John trying to lift her dress while she fought against him for me to be set on being her first.

“Good morning,” she replied softly, nestling her head better on my chest, pressing small kisses where my heart was beating.

My heart was racing, pounding way too fast for someone who’d just woken up, and she definitely had no idea why I was so worked up.

Emy trailed kisses down my chest, my abs, following every muscle, and I was floored. It didn’t take long for my little friend to spring to life, hardening and pressing against her stomach.

She swallowed hard as she looked up at me, her eyes sparkling with joy, but I could see the shyness and embarrassment there too.

Emy had been like that last night too when she felt my erection against her belly. Her face turned red, blushing from her cheeks to her hair.

It was funny to see that the same girl who’d challenged me to stay at the party, who told me she wasn’t a good girl, was blushing because she’d made my dick come alive.

“Let’s take it slow, okay?” I murmured, trying to calm her when I saw she was frozen, unsure of what to do.

“Sorry.” I held her face with both hands, keeping her focused on me.

“No need for that. You don’t have to apologize. Come here,” I said, grabbing her waist and flipping our positions. “I want to kiss you a little more.”

I bit my lower lip, pulling at the soft flesh, and heard her low moan escape.

Damn, I didn’t want just a little more. I wanted everything. I wanted to kiss

that mouth for the rest of my life.