“I never want you to die.” I’m suddenly serious. “Never. Do you hear me? Not because of me.”
Mateo’s expression switches in an instant. He reaches for my hands, drawing them to his chest. He lifts up toward me slightly, those insane abs flexing with the movement.
“Andy. Andy Carter, I know what you’re thinking, and I won’t let you do it. Do you hear me? Let me take care of that cunt who hurt you. Trust me to do it, okay? Because I have a plan for him…and I swear, he’s not getting away this time.”
I shake my head. I don’t think I can talk about this right now. Especially not like this. Though I guess I’m the one who brought it up. I just couldn’t help it. Everything I’ve done was for him…and Kyle. I can’t see this man getting hurt over me.
“Mateo, I…”
“No. I need you to hear me.” He tugs my hands to his face and presses his lips to each palm in turn. “These hands… These are healing hands. They’re not meant for killing. They’re meant for saving; that is why you became a doctor, Andy.”
I swallow hard.
“Will you remember that for me? Promise me!”
He’s so damn earnest. I nod my head. And then squeal as he flips me over. I land on my back beneath him, my body still engulfing his hard girth; he’s still buried in me.
“Promise me!” he says fiercely, his hands on either side of me, caging me in.
“I promise…Mateo, I swear.” I suddenly realize it’s true. He lowers his head and dots soft kisses over my eyes.
“Jesus, you’re so sweet,” he groans as he begins to rock into me again. “So damn soft. I could live inside you.”
I cup his cheek. “Mateo, I’m just so afraid of losing you. I don’t want you to go out there to face him. I’m scared. Everyone I— Everyone I care for dies.”
“I won’t die, Andy,” he breathes, still rolling gentle pleasure into me. “Trust me. I’m going to take care of you.” He lowers onto his elbows until our foreheads rest together, our breaths mingling. “I’m going to take that fucker out, and then we can focus on what’s important. We’re going to be a family…you, and me…and our baby. I’m going to be such a good dad to that kid.”
My eyes burn, and I blink, fighting tears.
Don’t cry, dammit.
His mouth closes over mine, and I moan low in my throat, overwhelmed by emotions that mingle with pleasure, and it all threatens to wash me away. Maybe that’s what I need. Maybe I need to be washed clean of all the hate and misery I’ve carried around for so long. Maybe this man can do it. When he raises his head, I force a watery smile. I’m not good with stuff like this.
“God…I love…fucking you,” I finally say, immediately regretting it because I want to say so much more. He brushes his thumb over my cheek, catching a tear that managed to escape.
“I don’t just love fucking you, Andy,” he whispers. “I fucking love you.”
I feel my eyes widen. “I…I…”
He’s said it before. I’d told myself it was for show. To convince everyone of our ruse to foil Mark’s plans to force me to marry him. Now, he grasps my chin, his eye boring into mine as he keeps up that steady rolling of his hips. My God, he’s going to make me come again.How?
“I love you, Andrea Carter. Do you hear me?”
“Mm-hmm,” I squeak out and then nod. I still don’t know what to say.
“You don’t have to say it back to me right now. But you will.”
He’s right. I’ll learn how one day.
“I won’t stop saying it, though. Every day. I’ll tell you every fucking day that I love you…until you believe it.” His palm cups my cheek. “Because you’re so damn worthy of love.”
I choke on a tiny sob and bury my face into the curve of his neck. And then the sobs blur into throaty moans as he carries me away with him to another blinding peak of ecstasy.
∞∞∞
The bedclothes have been tucked carefully around me when I wake up. I breathe out and feel a smile unfurl. Last night…
Last night waseverything.
