13

I know.

I was entering the lion's den, and I was naive not to escape in time.

But if that lion receives you in casual clothes, with a small smile on his lips and a bouquet of red tulips in his hands.

Letting him devour you was a prize.

And a punishment.

"Tulips?" I tilted my head.

He approaches me, extends them towards me, and swallows nervously. He looks nervous for some reason.

"I heard you on the phone," he points out, and I nod, playing with the flowers with interest. "Do you like them?"

Yes.

"No," I roll my eyes, extending them back to him. "I would have liked them if you had given them to me by your own choice, not because you overheard me mentioning them."

I click my tongue and leave the flowers on the dining table as I watch him attentively. He rarely wore that kind of clothes during the year we were together, not to mention that most of the time I spent alone in this place.

While I look at him, at some point, he fixes his gaze on me. He observes me for several seconds before closing the distance between us and kissing me. It's a kiss that I try not to let escalate or affect me, but when his fingers caress my cheeks while still tasting my lips, I end up grabbing his light blue sweater to pull him closer.

"Don't give me that look," he murmurs, kissing my chin. "You're right, I should have given you flowers a long time ago."

"You don't know how to treat a lady," I growl, pulling away. "Tell me whatever you're going to say."

He licks his lips, still gazing at my mouth. I swallow, raising an eyebrow in his direction. My eyes move to that smile that he effortlessly displays. What's going on? Why is he smiling so much?

"Yes, but first you have to try some delicious tacos that Lily prepared."

My mouth waters at the mention of it, and I squeal with small jumps as I start walking to the kitchen. I find Lily placing tacos on a plate; there are so many tacos.

"Oh, my God!" I walk towards her and surprise her as I hug her tightly. "I love you, I love you, I love you!" I squeeze her cheeks and move toward the food.

I gaze at it for a few seconds before approaching the sink to wash my hands, then I grab one. A pleasurable moan escapes me as I feel a certain spiciness, and I close my eyes, leaning against the counter while I chew.

"I love seeing you happy," she says, looking up.

I squint my eyes while eating.

"Shut up, I want to eat and not have a stomachache later," I scoff.

We're alone; Lily is not here for some reason. I finish my taco and take another one under her watchful gaze, convincing myself that she's just imagining ways to screw Teresa's life tomorrow and nothing else, which is why her eyes are shining so intensely right now.

She probably feeds on other people's suffering, and seeing me happy is weakening her.

"You can eat them all; they were prepared for you," she points out, approaching.

I clear my throat, taking steps to the left to keep my distance.

You can't affect me from afar, Arthur.

"No, I'm fine like this," he squints his eyes, shakes his head, and stands beside me, resting his palms on the counter as he can reach it easily. "If I come closer," he leans his shoulder against mine, "it's because I want you close, Michelle. And right now, it's not enough, just letting you know."

I look at him, and he winks at me playfully. I snort, raising my upper lip with the lower one.

"Are you sick?" I ask.

"No, why?" he purses his lips.

"You're smiling too much today," I shrug.

I take two more tacos and offer him one, to which he makes a strange face. I lower my shoulders, disappointed by his reaction.

Sometimes I forget who I'm with.

"Mmm, pass," he puts it back on the plate.

I shrug.

"Well, more for Axel and me."

He tenses up. I hide a smile as he takes it again and takes a bite. I let out a giggle that I have to cover with my palm because I have food in my mouth. Everything just got messy.

Damn, has he never eaten tacos before or what?

"Damn it, Arthur," I laugh in front of him, approaching the napkins and taking a couple without controlling my laughter. "You're like a little child just starting to explore."

He chews while looking at me, not understanding why I'm laughing like a maniac. I wipe his sweater with the napkin slowly, his eyes analyzing my face, which is starting to heat up along with my erratic breathing. I raise my hand, now wiping the corner of his lips. In one of these moments, a small mole distracts me, his long eyelashes fixed on my face, the way he looks at me, the way his eyes shine.

For a moment, my mind plays with me and brings to mind the image of a little boy with the same eyes and smile. I feel my cheeks blush at the mere idea.

He takes my wrist, stopping me.

"What are you thinking about?"

He brushes his nose against mine. I inhale deeply, pulling away my wrist. He tightens his grip, pulling me closer.

"About my future."

"Am I in it?"

"Do you want to be?" My question throws him off, and he furrows his eyebrows. I exhale, letting him release me whenever he wants. "Tell me what you found, I have to go."

"I miss seeing you every day," I grumble. "It seems like they're looking for your friend."

"Axel?" I step back, angry. "Don't try to blame him for this, Arthur."

"Why do you defend him so much if you've only known him for a few months?" he growls, placing his hand on my lower back.

I try to pull back, placing my hands on his chest and distancing myself. I feel warmth and softness against his chest and the fabric of his shirt. I don't even question how he knows that detail about Axel and me.

"A few months is enough to care about someone. And if you care about someone, you trust them."

Hypocrite. That's what I am.

"And what about a year?" he roars, now genuinely annoyed and confused. "What's wrong with him?"

"None of your business."

"You're mine, damn it," I roll my eyes.

"I don't understand a damn thing you're saying in French, Arthur!"

"And I don't understand a word you're saying in Spanish, but I still love hearing you!" he kisses me fiercely, and I push him away, pushing his shoulders. "Don't give me that look."

"Fuck off, damn it," I mutter.

I grab another taco before leaving the kitchen. None of his employees are in sight. I grumble as torrential rain can be seen through the window glass.

I grumble while eating in silence, annoyed that the weather isn't helping me escape from here.

I should let Axel know that I'll be a little late.

"You can't just leave like that," I finish the taco.

"Don't tell me what to do."

"Why does everything with you end up in an argument?"

"Because everything has to be your way, and I don't give a shit about how you want things, Arthur," I was starting to get angry.

It bothers me that he tries to portray Axel as a bad person. I know him, and he's not.

"Why do you trust him more than you trust me?" he growls.

He crosses his arms as he approaches. I swallow hard, wanting to divert my gaze from those strong and muscular arms that once held me when we were together.

I analyze his words.

"I know him."

"For a few months," he points out, clenching his jaw.

"A few months are enough to trust someone," I add again.

Wanting to end the argument there, but his anger seems to grow stronger.

He kneels in front of me, still staring into my eyes with the intensity he usually does. I feel my breathing falter due to his proximity. It should be forbidden for someone to have such control over you, the way he manages to unnerve me.

My thoughts get lost in his clear gaze, even clearer than usual because of the polo shirt he's wearing, the one that covers his chest and arms. I lick my lips, enchanted by the attractiveness of the man in front of me.

He still has slight dark circles, and I think he looks thinner. What the hell is going on