Chapter 41 41
“It makes us…”
His words faded as his gaze drifted down to her soft, full lips for a brief moment before lifting back to her eyes desire burning fiercely within them.
“Forbidden,” he rasped.
The word struck her like lightning.
Every nerve in her body reacted to it, the meaning fitting their situation far too perfectly.
She grabbed his wrist, trying to pull his hand away from the nape of her neck, but his grip didn’t budge.
“M…Mr. Ruiz…” she stammered, lowering her eyes.
The dark glint in his gaze made it impossible for her to hold his stare.
Suddenly his fingers tightened around her nape.
She winced at the pressure.
“Who bullied you, Ana?” he asked softly again.
Another innocent-sounding question yet it sent panic spiraling through her chest.
Was this an interrogation?
“That’s none of your mmph.”
Her words were cut off when his finger pressed against her lips, silencing her instantly.
“Let’s get something straight,” he said calmly.
The control in his voice frightened her more than anger ever could.
“Anything that has to do with you is my concern,” he continued. “Because you’re mine.”
Her eyes snapped up at those words.
As he removed his finger from her lips, she glared at him for the first time.
“I belong to myself,” she hissed. “And no one else.”
The fire in her tone sent something wild racing through him.
His heart pounded violently.
Just moments ago she’d been trembling like a frightened child now she was standing her ground like a fierce she-wolf.
And he loved it.
Loved it far too much.
His thumb slowly traced along her neck in a possessive, sensual stroke a silent reminder of who held control.
“I belong to no one,” she repeated, softer but just as firm.
“You want me to prove otherwise?” he murmured darkly.
“Because believe me… I can make you understand exactly who you belong to.”
His words sounded like a threat.
“I can’t breathe,” she whispered.
And she truly couldn’t his presence was overwhelming, crushing the air from her lungs.
Fernando realized he was slipping back into his dominant, alpha ways.
If he pushed her like this, she’d never feel safe.
Never surrender.
“Breathe,” he ordered roughly.
She finally sucked in a sharp breath.
He exhaled deeply himself and stepped back then another step.
He watched as her tense body slowly relaxed.
“Come downstairs for dinner,” he said before turning and leaving her room.
She stood there frozen.
“This man is seriously not right in the head,” she muttered.
As soon as he left, her thoughts raced.
She couldn’t stay in his house forever.
He was already insane.
Yes he’d saved her last night, and she was endlessly grateful.
But she couldn’t live here.
And she couldn’t go back to her old place either those men would come again.
She needed to find another apartment.
Somewhere safe.
She had no idea what was happening at the academy.
Or at work.
And then it hit her.
Alfonso.
Oh God Alfonso.
Mr. Ruiz still hadn’t given her phone back.
What did that mean?
Was he trying to trap her here?
Keep her like a prisoner?
She needed to talk to Alfonso.
Explain everything.
The poor guy must be losing his mind with worry especially after speaking to a strange man on her phone.
She had always avoided men.
Of course Alfonso would be terrified.
Sofía had to leave.
Gathering her courage, she decided she’d talk to Mr. Ruiz during dinner.
She showered quickly, slipped back into his oversized clothes, and limped toward the kitchen.
It was empty.
Unsure what to do, she quietly sat at the dining table.
Roaming freely around his house felt wrong.
This wasn’t her home.
She needed to stay in her place.
After about fifteen or twenty minutes, the doorbell rang.
She hesitated then slowly stood and limped toward the lounge.
But she froze.
Fernando was coming down the stairs.
He wore a loose casual shirt and knee-length shorts.
To be honest, he looked more like a muscular twenty-four-year-old than a strict professor.
She didn’t even know his age only that he was definitely older than her.
He walked past her, briefly glancing at her clothes.
Opening the door, he took two large pizza boxes along with two smaller square boxes.
After paying the delivery boy, he closed the door and placed the food on the lounge table.
Dropping onto the couch, he motioned for her to join him.
She limped over and quietly sat on the single sofa to his right.
He noticed but didn’t comment.
Opening a large box, he slid it toward her.
Then he opened a smaller box filled with lasagna and offered that too.
The air instantly filled with the mouthwatering scent.
Her stomach growled.
Taking a paper plate, she served herself a small portion of lasagna and began eating.
Fernando watched her silently.
She seemed genuinely happy with the food.
After a little lasagna and one slice of pizza, she was full.
Her eyes drifted toward him then widened.
He had already devoured nearly the entire large pizza and the lasagna… and was still eating.
She swallowed hard and quickly looked away when she realized he caught her staring.
No wonder he was built like a beast.
She thought about leaving, but that felt rude.
So she stayed seated quietly until he finished.
“That whole pizza was for you,” he said sternly.
She nearly choked on her saliva.
I’m not a giant!
The words sat on her tongue but she held them back.
He wiped his hands with a napkin.
That was when she finally spoke.
“Thank you… for everything, Mr. Ruiz,” she said softly.
“But I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”