I force myself to look away just so that I don’t break down at the sound of his gentle voice. I’m not a crier, but, sometimes, the emotions get the best of me. “Nothing.”
He stays silent for a beat. “Alara . . . Come here, baby.”
I don’t even check for cameras. Don’t even think twice before standing as I pull my cardigan off. My jeans follow suit, and, soon enough, I’m standing in a swimsuit.
Diego’s gaze leaves a trail of sparks that feels like an inferno raging on every inch of my exposed skin. His scrutiny lingers on me as though he’s memorizing every curve, every dip.
After diving into the water, I join Diego near the edge, my breath catching in my throat at the way he stares at me like the outside world doesn’t matter.
He pulls me in by the hip as my arms wind around his neck. Concern shimmers in his gaze. “Talk to me,” he murmurs. “Or don’t. But you know I’m here for you, always. I don’t like seeing you so sad.”
Simply knowing he’s willing to listen and hear me threatensto shatter my control. I swallow, dropping my attention to the hollow of his throat. “I made the mistake of checking what other people from college are up to.”
I feel like we’re going in circles with my situation, and maybe Diego is tired of hearing me complain about it.
But when he cups my jaw to bring my eyes to his, I feel my breath hitch. “I know it’s not easy for you. And I’m in no position to tell you this since I didn’t even go to college, but you aren’t doing anything wrong by taking a gap year. And what if it turns into two years? Three? Who gives a fuck? Don’t do this to yourself. You’re smart, Alara. You’re really intelligent, and compassionate, and brave, and loyal, and ambitious. I need you to see what I see.”
I fear that, if I talk, I’ll free the first tear, and I don’t want that. I manage a subtle nod, seeking distraction by wrapping myself tighter around him and burying my face in the crook of his neck.
His caresses are coaxing upon my back, conveying unspoken words that soothe me as we hang in the stillness of the pool, the water lapping around us. “You’re the most captivating woman I know,” he whispers in my ear. If he can feel the hammering rhythm of my heartbeat against his chest, he doesn’t let on. “Just because you’re still figuring things out doesn’t mean you’re less capable than any of those people who’ve already found a job.”
God, he makes it so hard – so hard not to fall for him.
I sniffle at his effortless reassurance. “You’re right.”
“Now give me that beautiful smile.”
I pull away, forcing myself to beam at him, but it’s strained and tight and fake.
He snorts softly. “I said smile, not grimace.”
And I don’t know why, but this makes me chuckle, causing my smile to shift into a genuine one.
“There it is.”
Time stops when his gaze traces the contours of my lips,then studies the rest of my features. The tenderness gleaming in his eyes reflects everything he feels for me – pure adoration. The intensity makes me tremble, drowning me. Pulling me underwater. I’m losing myself in him, and it terrifies me, but I’m not strong enough to put an end to it. Because I want more, and, from the way he’s looking at me, I think he does too, even if he hasn’t admitted it to himself yet.
I don’t know what to say, what to do in order to crawl to the surface to get some air. So, I let my lips brush against his own, listening to the sharp intake of air as I do so. Through the mingling of our breaths, I show him my gratitude, my affection, hoping that one day he’ll let me in enough so that our souls can tangle too.
And when his mouth claims mine, he makes me forget about everything.
It’s just Diego and me, in a world alone.
Just Diego and me, and I wish it could be like this for an eternity.
I wake up to the sound of my phone buzzing on my nightstand. Blindly reaching for my cell, I accept the call without checking the caller’s name.
“Hello?” My voice feels like sandpaper, my pulse throbbing painfully against my temples. My muscles are sore the way they usually are after I push my body to its limits after skiing a black piste, only I barely got on my skis during yesterday’s lesson.
I felt just fine yesterday. I felt normal two days ago when Diego stayed the night after our pool escapade. We didn’t mention life or snowboarding. Instead, we got lost in each other for countless hours until fatigue took over. The way I’m currently feeling is my body protesting – telling me to slow down. It’s not lost on me that I’ve been working tremendously hard lately.
“Honey,” Mom says worriedly. “Your car’s still in the driveway. Are you skipping work today?”
I frown and sit up, rubbing my left temple. “No?”
“Are you sick?”
“No?”
