Zipping up the dress took a Herculean effort, and by the time I’m done, I’m panting as if I just went for a morning jog. Once my breathing is normal, I head to the spare bathroom to touch up my hair and makeup, taking a quick photo of myself to send to César.
He responds not even a minute later.
Fucking beautiful. I’m coming to get you now.
My body buzzes with excitement. I feel giddy, like a teenager waiting for their prom date. Is this how other people feel on Valentine’s Day? I guess I understand the hype now.
Not knowing how far away he is, I grab matching red heels and add the diamond earrings he bought me last month for my birthday. One last look in the mirror, and I’m definitely feeling myself. I feel hot. I would definitely fuck myself.
A bell chimes from downstairs, signaling the front door has opened. My heart stumbles in my chest, and it takes every ounce of restraint I have not to race to slide down the banister like a lovesick puppy. I force myself to take the stairs like an adult—slow, measured steps—but the second I spot César, the breath catches in my throat. It’s only been a few hours since I last saw him, yet I ached for this. For him. Just the sight of him settles something deep inside me. With him, I feel safe. Whole. Like I’ve finally found home.
Sensing me staring at him, César turns, lips lifting into the smile he reserves solely for me. It’s full of love and adoration, something that has taken me far too long to accept. But now that I have, it’s my favorite thing to see.
“Get down here so I can admire you properly.”
At his command, I take the last few steps and make my way across the living room until I’m standing a few feet in front of him. His eyes roam my body, slowly moving from my face, all the way down to my toes and back up again. His eyes darken, tension hanging heavy between us. Will it always be like this? Wanting to rip each other’s clothes off and fuck like rabbits?
God, I hope so.
César closes the distance between us, resting his hand on my hip. That small gesture sends tremors and heat racing down my spine. My body scorches from his touch. “A fucking vision. That’s what you are, Lety. I’m so damn lucky.”
“Yes, you are,” I say, far too breathlessly to sound unaffected by his words.
He smirks, knowing exactly what he does to me. “Did you like the flowers?”
And because I’m a brat, I say, “I did, but I was disappointed there wasn’t any chocolate. Don’t they kind of go together?”
“Oh, there’ll be chocolate, mi reina. But not until tonight, when I can lick it off that sexy body.”
His words heat my core, and my cheeks flush. The asshole just laughs, clearly liking me wound up for him.
“Do you want to know what I have planned for us?” he asks, brushing a loose strand of hair out of my face.
“I do,” I whisper, distracted by the way he licks his lips as he takes me in.
“I went all out for Valentine’s Day. I’m certain you’ll hate every moment of it,” he teases.
I’m salivating at the mouth to know. “Tell me.”
“I’m taking you to an overpriced restaurant downtown.”
“Mm, a traditional man. I like it. Keep going.”
“Dessert will obviously have to come next.”
“Obviously. Bonus points if it’s chocolate-covered strawberries.”
“And then…” He hums, closing the gap between us. He rests his free hand on the curve of my ass, squeezing lightly. I let out an involuntary groan. “And then I’m taking you to the cabin I just bought.”
My brow furrows. Out of everything I thought he’d say, I didn’t imagine that. “You bought a cabin?”
“For us.” He nods like it’s a normal thing to do. His eyes then pierce mine, looking into my soul. “Because you once told me you wish you had an escape sometimes. A place where you could go and forget the world when you felt like running. So, mi reina, if you ever feel the need to run, you have somewhere to go. And I swear I’ll be right behind you. Forever. You’ll never be alone.”
Tears sting my eyes as a tidal wave of emotions crashes over me, nearly stealing my breath. How long have I been aching for this—for someone to truly see me? The raw, messy, complicated parts of me. The not-so-pretty parts. Not just tolerate them but accept them. Embrace them. I’ve spent so long bracing for rejection, ready to run the moment I felt too exposed. But César? He doesn’t flinch. He doesn’t look at me like I’m too much. Like I’m not enough. He sees straight through to the heart of me and doesn’t turn away.
Instead, he bought us a place to run away to together. Always together.
“I love you.” The words are out before I can stop them. César’s hand, which had moved to play with my hair, freezes and his body tenses.
