Chapter 68: Mariana's Pov

"That was. . . adequate," I tease, my voice still shaky, earning a deep, rumbling laugh from him.

"Oh, adequate, is it?" He asks, his lips brushing over mine in a whisper. "I'll have to do better, then."

"Much better," I whisper back, my voice dripping with challenge. "And you could start by fucking me."

He stares at me from underneath his hooded gaze, a small smile tugging. And then he leans down, and leaves a lingering kiss on my lips, his fingers still brushing across my hips.

"Touch it," he whispers.

My brows pull into a furrow, eyes narrowing. "Touch what?" I hush out my question.

"You know what I'm talking about," he whispers again, his lips lingering over mine. "Don't hold back, Mariana. Touch it and say what you need to. . . you can scream at me, curse at me. . ."

Tears well up in my eyes, my tongue doing a quick job of swiping across my bottom lip. I look away and whisper, "you act like you know me so well. . ." my words are shortened by a gasp when Alejandro's fingers suddenly curl around my wrist, pulling my hand up to his chest, laying my palm flat.

I feel the roughness of the scar and the dam breaks. I don't know when or how I start cursing. "I'm going to kill that bastard with my bare hands," I've repeated multiple times.

I heave out a shudder when I fell Alejandro's breath on my lashes. He kisses my eyes over and over again, his thumb wiping at my tears. "Enough with the crying, Mariana. I'm fine. . ."

"I don't care about you," I murmur.

He chuckles, "I know."

I scoff while I give my head a subtle shake.

Why's he always like this with me? So soft, gentle, understanding?

Why does he have a way of making me feel so alive?

"What?" Aleajndro suddenly asks.

"I only want you for your body, and I don't want anything happening to it."

He chuckles in humor, understanding the joke in my words.

His lips brush against mine, a soft, adoring kiss that sparks the fire burning within me. His hand slides along the curve of my waist, his touch light, almost hesitant, as though he's afraid to break the fragile spell around us.

"Are you sure?" He whispers, his breath mingling with mine.

I meet his gaze, his dark eyes searching mine for any hesitation. There is none. I nod, cupping his face in my hands, my thumb brushing over the strong line of his jaw. "Yes," I whisper back, my voice steady, firm. "I want all of you."

His forehead presses against mine, his lips curving into a faint smile that's equal parts tenderness and hunger. "Then I'll give you everything," he murmurs.

He shifts above me, his hands cradling my hips as if I'm something delicate. I can feel the heat of him, his body stiff with restraint as he positions himself. His lips find mine again, and this time, the kiss is slower, deeper-a promise, a connection that binds us in this moment.

As he begins to push into me, his movements are unhurried, gentle.

I don't want gentle, I don't want anything that's telling of how deeply my affection towards this man runs.

But he wants to savor this moment. And I'll let him.

The sensation is exquisite, the slow stretch pulling a gasp and a whimper from my lips as my hands clutch his shoulders. He pauses, giving me time to adjust, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Remember to tell  me if it's too much," he says softly, his voice strained, as if holding himself back is a battle he's barely winning.

"It's perfect," I breathe, arching into him, encouraging him to go further.

He slides deeper, his breath hitching as he fills me completely. A low groan escapes his throat, his control fraying as he buries himself in me. I feel everything-the heat, the connection, the way he fits like he was made for me. Like we were made for one another.

"Mariana," he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion, as if saying my name alone settles him.

I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him impossibly closer. "Alejandro," I whisper, my nails grazing the broad expanse of his back.

He begins to move, each thrust slow but so deep he almost reaches for my soul, his hips rolling against mine with precision. The friction ignites something deep inside me, a building fire that spreads through every nerve, every inch of me.

Our breaths mingle, shallow and erratic, as he picks up a steady rhythm. His lips trail over my jaw, down my neck, leaving a scorching burn as he moves further down. My hands grip him tighter, my body rising to meet his, matching him in perfect sync.

And then he releases an impatient growl, his movement fastening in pace. Every movement, every thrust is precise. I twist, his name and incoherent flying from my lips.

"You feel so fucking good, baby," he grunts rhythmically, "so fucking good."

And then I lose myself to the pleasure just as much as Alejandro loses himself. The world outside and inside this room fades into nothing. There's only Alejandro, his body entwined with mine, his every touch and movement designed to drive me to the edge of pleasure, desire, and maybe even love.

"Alejandro," I moan, my voice trembling with the intensity of it all.

"I've got you," he whispers, his lips brushing against my ear, his voice a promise that I believe with every fiber of my being.

Alejandro's movements quicken with a faster pace, his body pressing into mine with more urgency. I cling to him, my hands gripping his shoulders as gasps fall from my lips, unrestrained and raw.

His lips find my neck, teeth sinking into my skin. I feel his breath against my skin. My fingers dig into his back, needing something to hold onto, something to keep me grounded in the storm he's stirring inside me.

"Oh fuck, Mariana," he whimpers, his voice hoarse with need. The way he says my name makes my heart clench. And it makes me pulse even harder.

I arch beneath him, moving in time with his rhythm. My legs wrap around his waist, pulling him closer, as if I can bring us together completely. The connection between us feels so unexplainable, like every nerve in my body is alive, burning just for him.

"Alejandro," I breathe, my voice trembling and barely audible.

He pulls back slightly, just enough to meet my gaze. His eyes lock onto mine, and in that moment, It's just pure bliss, heavenly. His hand comes up to brush a strand of hair from my face, his touch gentle.

"I love you, Mariana," he murmurs, the words soft but heavy with meaning. "You're my everything."

What?

Why now?

I can't find the words to respond, so I kiss him instead. My lips press against his, desperate, hungry, telling him everything I can't say out loud.

The kiss deepens the fire between us, and Alejandro moves with more intensity. My body wiggles, shaking vigorusly, a moan escaping as the pleasure builds, tightening in my core until I feel myself shatter with a tremble and a scream of his name.

His own release follows, his body tensing as he buries his face in my neck. His breathing is harsh, his hold on me firm as though he never wants to let go.

For a while, neither of us moves. The room feels still, filled only with the sound of our breathing. Alejandro's weight presses against me slightly.

Finally, he lifts his head, his eyes soft and filled with something I can't quite name. His thumb brushes against my cheek, his touch sending a shiver through me.

"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice low and tender.

I nod, my chest still rising and falling as I struggle to catch my breath. "I'm perfect," I whisper.

He smiles, a rare, genuine smile. "You didn't say it back. . ." he hushes, cautious of his words.

"Do I have to?" I breathe.

"Of course not," he leans down to press a kiss to my forehead before rolling to lie beside me. His arms pull me close, holding me tightly against him.

And this all makes me wonder if he'll still be this calm and understanding when he realizes what I intend to do.