My mind explodes with sensations, with overwhelming ecstasy.This, right here, is what I want, what I need.Why I will never let her go.Our bodies strain together on the bed, wet sheets tangling around our limbs as I lose myself in her, in the sounds and smells of hot, no-holds-barred sex.Nora is like liquid fire in my arms, her slim body arching against me, her legs twining around my thighs.Each thrust brings me deeper into her until I feel like we’re fusing together, melding into one another.
She reaches her peak first, her pussy squeezing me even tighter.I hear her strangled cry as she bites my shoulder in the throes of her orgasm, and then I’m there, shuddering over her as my seed shoots out in continuous heated spurts.
Breathing harshly, I sink down on top of her, my arms no longer able to support my weight.Every muscle in my body is shaking from the force of my release, and I’m covered with a thin veil of sweat.After a few moments, I muster the strength to roll over onto my back, pulling her to lie on top of me.
It shouldn’t be this intense again, not after the way we fucked earlier, but it is.It always is.There’s never a moment when I don’t want her, when I don’t think about her.If I ever lost her—
No.I refuse to think about that.It won’t happen.I won’t let it.
I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
Safe from everyone but me.
8
Nora
When I wakeup in the morning, Julian is already gone.
Climbing out of bed, I head straight for the shower, feeling grimy and sticky after last night.We both fell asleep right after sex, too worn out to bother washing up or changing the wet sheets.Then, just before dawn, Julian woke me up by sliding inside me again, his skilled fingers bringing me to orgasm before I was fully awake.It’s as if he can’t get enough of me after our long separation, his already-strong libido going into overdrive.
Of course, I can’t get enough of him either.
A smile curves my lips as I remember the searing passion of last night.Julian promised me the wedding night of my dreams, and he certainly delivered.I don’t even know how many orgasms I’ve had over the past twenty-four hours.Of course, now I’m even more sore, my insides raw from so much fucking.
Still, I feel immeasurably better today, both physically and mentally.The bruises on my thighs are less tender to the touch, and I’m no longer feeling quite as overwhelmed.Even the idea of being married to Julian doesn’t seem as frightening in the morning light.Nothing has truly changed, except that now there is a piece of paper joining us together, letting the world know that I belong to him.Captor, lover, or husband—it’s all the same; the label doesn’t alter the reality of our dysfunctional relationship.
Stepping under the shower spray, I tilt my head back, letting the hot water flow over my face.The shower is as luxurious as the rest of the house, the circular stall big enough to accommodate ten people.I wash and scrub every inch of my body until I begin to feel human again.Then I go back into the bedroom to get dressed.
I find an enormous closet in the back of the room, filled mostly with light summer clothes.Remembering the stifling heat outside, I select a simple blue sundress, then slide my feet into a pair of brown flip-flops.It’s not the most sophisticated outfit, but it’ll do.
I’m ready to explore my new home.
The estate is huge,much bigger than I thought yesterday.Besides the main house, there are also barracks for the two-hundred-plus guards who patrol the perimeter, and a number of houses occupied by other employees and their families.It’s almost like a small town—or maybe some type of military compound.
I learn all this from Ana over breakfast.Apparently Julian left instructions that I was to be fed and shown around when I woke up.Julian himself is occupied with work, as usual.
“Señor Esguerra has an important meeting,” Ana explains, serving me a dish she callsMigas de Arepa—scrambled eggs made with pieces of corn cakes and a tomato-onion sauce.“He asked me to look after you today, so please let me know if you need anything.After breakfast I can have Rosa give you a tour if you like.”
“Thank you, Ana,” I say, digging into my food.It’s incredibly delicious, the sweetness of the arepas complementing the zesty flavor of the eggs.“A tour would be great.”
We chat for a bit as I finish up my meal.In addition to learning about the estate, I find out that Ana has lived in this house most of her life, having started as a young maid working for Julian’s father.“That’s how I learned English,” she says, pouring me a cup of frothy hot chocolate.“Señora Esguerra was American, like you, and she didn’t speak any Spanish.”
I nod, remembering Julian telling me about his mother.She had been a model in New York City before marrying Julian’s father.“So you knew Julian when he was a child?”I ask, sipping the hot, rich drink.Like the eggs, it’s unusually flavorful, with hints of clove, cinnamon, and vanilla.
“I did.”Ana stops there, as though afraid of saying too much.I give her an encouraging smile, hoping to prod her into telling me more, but she begins to clear off the dishes instead, signaling an end to the conversation.
Sighing, I finish my hot chocolate and get up.I want to learn more about my husband, but I have a feeling Ana may be just as close-mouthed on this topic as Beth.
Beth.The familiar pain shoots through me again, bringing with it a burning rage.Memories of her violent death are never far from my mind, threatening to drown me in hate if I let them.When Julian first told me about what he did to Maria’s attackers, I had been horrified… but now I understand it.I wish I could somehow lay my hands on the terrorist who killed Beth, make him pay for what he did to her.Even the knowledge that he’s dead doesn’t pacify my anger; it’s always there, eating at me, poisoning me from within.
“Señora, this is Rosa,” Ana says, and I turn toward the dining room entrance to see a young dark-haired woman standing there.She looks to be about my age, with a round face and a bright smile.Like Ana, she’s wearing a short-sleeved black dress with a white apron.“Rosa, this is Señor Esguerra’s new wife, Nora.”
Rosa’s smile brightens further.“Oh, hello, Señora Esguerra, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”Her English is even better than Ana’s, her accent barely noticeable.
“Thank you, Rosa,” I say, taking an immediate liking to the girl.“It’s very nice to meet you too.And, please, call me Nora.”I look toward the housekeeper.“You too, please, Ana, if you don’t mind.I’m not used to the ‘Señora’ bit.”And it’s true.It’s especially strange to hear myself addressed as Señora Esguerra.Does this mean that Julian’s last name is now mine?We haven’t discussed this yet, but I suspect Julian would want to follow tradition in this case as well.
Nora Esguerra.My heart beats faster at the thought, some of yesterday’s irrational fear returning.For nineteen-and-a-half years, I have been Nora Leston.It’s a name that I’m used to, that I’m comfortable with.The idea of changing it makes me deeply uneasy, as though I’m losing another part of myself.As though Julian is stripping me of everything that I used to be, transforming me into someone I barely recognize.
