“Alright, then.” I stand from the bed just as he catchesmy wrist. “Start by going to sleep. Get some rest. Watch your favorite movie. Eat whatever you want. Don’t worry about anyone else but you.”
After kissing my palm, he tries to stifle a yawn and crawls under his sheets, making sure to keep his knee iced. “Thank you,” he repeats in a whisper.
“It’s nothing.” Checking the time, I sigh. I wish I could stay, wish I could give him the affection he needs. “I have to go. Text me when you wake up.”
“I’ll call you,” he says sleepily. “Because I love your voice.”
At that moment, I’m grateful for the dim lighting and that his eyes are already closed, because the blush crawling its way from my neck to my cheeks is embarrassing. “Works for me.” I lean down and kiss his forehead. I can practically feel him melt, a smile spreading across his mouth. “See you, superstar. Thank you for sharing those parts of yourself with me.”
“Wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to know the real me,” he mumbles, before tugging the comforter to his chin.
Once I’m out of his room and leaning against the closed door, I sigh, my chest still aching from witnessing him so dismayed. So open. So vulnerable. And as I descend the staircase, wishing he would’ve kissed me, wishing he would’ve asked me to stay, I realize how much trouble I’m in.
But it doesn’t matter, because, for the next couple of weeks, Diego Ramirez is mine, and I intend to give him what he deserves – the world.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
ALARA
“Is your brother dead or something?”
Gaby frowns as she swipes her forefinger over the remnants of chocolate mousse at the bottom of the mixing bowl. She pops the dollop of cream into her mouth, and sets the empty container in my sink. “He’s sick. Haven’t seen the guy in three days.”
I haven’t heard from him either. Well, no, I have. We’ve texted, called, FaceTimed, but I want toreallysee him. Touch him. Kiss him.
As pathetic as it sounds, I just miss him.
It’s been almost a week since our heated, toe-curling moment in the storage room, and I constantly replay his promise to make me feel good until he has to leave. Despite my desperation to have more with him, I force myself to remember that this is just sex. Nothing more.
Still, his accident in the halfpipe has wrecked me. I’d been so terrified to lose him and that something worse had happened to him. My reaction when I found him made me realize how much I care about him – how important he’s already become.
I promised to give him some space to rest and take somemuch-needed time for himself, but maybe I need to do more than repeatedly check up on him by text. I just don’t want to overstep. I’ve debated stopping by his house a couple times, but my presence would raise suspicions, especially as Gaby wasn’t there on Friday nor yesterday, and, other than hanging out with my best friend, I don’t have any other reason to visit the Ramirez house – well, that’s what everyone thinks.
My phone buzzes, and flutters instantly rock inside my stomach when I see who’s texted me. I hate that I can’t control the way my body reacts when it comes to Diego. I truly wish I could be immune to his charms – it would make everything easier.
Superstar:I think I’m rested well enough.
Me:Well, you slept for three whole days. The opposite would be concerning. How’s your knee?
Superstar:Feels ok. Won’t try doing a Switch Backside 540 anytime soon though
Me:I don’t recommend
Superstar:You busy? I miss you. I hoped you’d come by this weekend
I smile at his effortless admission. Gaby is eyeing me curiously, but doesn’t say anything as she cleans up the mess we made.
Me:I wanted to, but I didn’t want to bother you. Gaby is currently over and we just made a chocolate mousse
Superstar:Fuuuck I want some
Me:Gabs will bring you a portion. That is if she doesn’t inhale it on the drive back to your house
Superstar:Haha that’s something she’d do. Let me know when I can call you. Need to hear your sexy voice
I smile while giving my head a shake, then throw my phone on the counter before I do something stupid like call Diego in front of his sister.
I’m not hurt that he wants to keep our fling a secret. I like the thrill, the teasing, the tension. I don’t think Gaby and Jordan would react badly if they knew about us, but the last thing I need right now is them reminding me that Diego’s leaving – he does it enough on his own. And I’m finally distracted. Finally thinking of something else other than my future, and I don’t need anyone to ruin this for me.
