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He’s still inside me and the warmth of him against me is the best feeling. He’s right, I am safe with him. I feel it, really safe for the first time ever, just like this, his body within mine. He strokes a stray strand of hair off my face, brushing his fingers over my cheek, and I smile.
When he gets up to go to the bathroom I scoot up the bed and lie on my back. I want him again, but I want him to take me like this, so I can see his face and hold my arms around him.
When he comes back I open my arms wide, waiting for him. His hair is tousled, his muscles defined; every inch of him is chiselled and perfect. And he’s hard again.
He stands by the bed, studying me for a moment before he climbs on top of me, pressing himself against me. My arms close around him like the spring of a trap, our eyes meet and it feels like he’s looking into my soul. I raise my mouth to his. He has to kiss me now. He still hasn’t and I can’t it take any longer.
And he does kiss me, for the first time ever, lowering his lips to mine. His kiss is firm and commanding, his stubble grazing the skin of my face. My tongue seeks his and I reach up and curl my fingers around the back of his neck, drawing my hand through his hair. I can’t get enough, it’s too good. I kiss him harder and faster than I’ve kissed before and he kisses me back, owning my mouth.
He reaches over me, fumbling in the drawer. He breaks our kiss for a moment as he puts on another condom, then he enters me again, moving softly, slowly this time, long pleasurable strokes. We rock together as one, locked in place, my arms and legs clamped around him. We remain like this for hours, kissing, making slow love, until Slater eventually pulls back before thrusting hard and coming inside me.
‘You are everything I knew you would be, little bird.’
He strokes my hair and I run my fingers over his bicep, tracing the intricate lines of the works of art that are his tattoos.
‘I’ve waited for this,’ I whisper.
‘I know you have.’ He kisses my hand. ‘Did you think I would disappoint you?’
‘No, I didn’t,’ I answer without hesitation. There is nothing about Slater that could be a disappointment.
I wake to Slater kissing my cheek.
‘I have to go to work now, little bird.’
‘Oh, OK.’ I blink; I slept soundly for the first time in a long while.
‘I’ll be back around six thirty, so be ready to go.’
‘Where?’ I prop myself up in the bed.
‘To meet your father.’
He gets out of bed and goes to take a shower.
I lie back. I don’t want to go to see my father. I wish I could just stay here in Slater’s bed forever and never have to face Papa again. He will force me to go back. And marry Gonzales. There’s no way I can. Not after what happened last night with Slater. I’m no longer that little girl. I’m a woman, now. I’ve crossed a line with Slater.
He comes out of the bathroom, naked, and my eyes are drawn to his body.
‘Slater? Can’t you come back to bed, just for a little bit?’ I want to do it again, to prove I didn’t imagine it. He glances at me.
‘I have to teach a class, little bird. Later.’
He pulls on a clean pair of sweat shorts and a polo shirt then styles his hair.
When he goes to the kitchen, I take one of the towels from the bathroom and follow, wrapping it around my body as I go. I sit opposite him at the breakfast bar while he eats.
‘Drop that, I want to see you.’ He pulls the towel away from my body. ‘You don’t need to hide yourself from me.’ He caresses my naked breast, which sends heat shooting to my core.
‘Slater,’ I murmur, wanting him.
He grins then gets up and puts his bowl in the dishwasher, walks around the breakfast bar and bends to give me a kiss.
‘Sorry. I’ve got to go.’
‘Great,’ I mutter.
‘Be ready later. We won’t have much time. We’re meeting him at seven.’
I watch as he turns and leaves the apartment, locking the door behind him.
I’m alone the whole day. I try to study, but struggle to focus. My mind keeps wandering back to Slater and to tonight. What will I say to Papa? We’ve never discussed his work. How will he react if Slater confronts him? In my father’s eyes my future lies as a protected wife.
I begin to pack my bag. Slater said I could decide whether to go back to Papa, but the choice isn’t really mine. My father will never allow me that freedom. He’ll demand I come home. I might as well be ready for the inevitable. I have only two options: go back to him or run.
Leaving and going somewhere no one knows I’m Daleylah Martinez, daughter of El Patron, would also mean leaving Slater. And I’m not sure I will be able to do that.
Going back to my father would mean saying goodbye to Slater. There is no way Papa would agree to let me see him again, let alone date him. The thought of never being in his arms again is inconceivable to me. My choice is an impossible one.
I shower and wash my hair, brushing it and then using the curling iron to give light waves. I normally never wear make-up but today I put some on and Papa’s going to see the difference immediately. But that’s good. I want him to realise I’m not the same any more. Things have changed.
I select one of my few dresses. The way it hangs on my curves makes me look like a sack of potatoes. I’m ashamed for Slater to see me like this. I want him to think of me as sexy and attractive, not as an old-fashioned housewife, but it’s the best I have, the dress I wore to Paradiso is too much for tonight.
I go to the kitchen to wait for him, my arms wrapped around my body. The door opens at exactly half past six. Slater looks more polished than usual in an expensive dark suit with a dark shirt, and he smells freshly showered. I feel even more frumpy.
‘Dale, you look beautiful.’
His eyes are on my face. I stiffen, sliding closer to the table. I don’t want to let him see what I’m wearing.
‘Come here.’ He hands me a bag. ‘I figured you wouldn’t have any clothes with you for going out, so I picked this up.’
I take the bag and pull out a midnight blue dress made from a light chiffon.
‘Hope it fits. I had to guess.’
‘Oh, I...’ I hold it to my body.
‘Try it on.’
‘Right.’ I take the dress and hurry to the bedroom and slip it on. It hugs my chest and waist and floats around my thighs.
‘I can’t believe you bought me this, just when I needed something. It’s lovely, Slater. Thank you.’ I turn and look at myself in the mirror.
‘I got you some shoes, too.’ He hands me a box.
‘But how did you know the size?’
‘I checked your trainers.’ He shrugs.
I take the high heels out of the box and slide my feet into them.
‘Turn around.’
I turn slowly on the spot then wait for his verdict.
‘Perfect.’ He smiles and takes my hand. ‘Now, let’s go before we’re late.’