Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Cecília

I don't even know what's going on with my life anymore. That things have changed and will never be the same I already understand. I'm not stupid. Kind of stupid sometimes, but I'm not stupid. The problem is that I can no longer understand how things have changed this time. I had gotten used to thick Thomas, not paying attention to me.

I have no idea what's going on with Thomas right now. He's even looking like a human being lately and I don't like that because he does strange things to me.

He ended up going to see a play with me yesterday, and then he took me out to dinner. He even let me choose the restaurant. And I don't know what I was thinking when we got back to the hotel, but I ended up sleeping in the same bed with him. And Thomas didn't even touch me. Just slept on my side. He said goodnight and went to sleep.

I think some spirit occupied his body, that's the only explanation.

I wake up alone in bed because, for once, the maniac that he is, he's woken up early even though it's Sunday. I keep stalling to get up, but I rush to the bathroom when I hear the sound of the door being unlocked. I jump straight into the shower and don't even know how long I stand here, working up the courage to face Thomas again.

This one… disguised as a fig! He said it was going to be fun this weekend and he's delivering.

I feel so close to him it confuses me. It wasn't just yesterday, since I came to live in this hotel it has shown me another side that I didn't know. And I… I like that side. More than I should.

When I finally work up the courage to leave the bathroom, wrapped in a towel because I was so scared I forgot to get clothes, I see that Thomas is arranging something on the table in the corner of the room.

He looks at me with that sly look he always looks like he's going to make the towel fall off, and I grip tighter to my body just in case.

"Have you used up all the water on the planet, crystal?" he asks in that mocking tone that makes me blush.

- I…

Thomas laughs and starts toward me.

He's sweaty in the sweats he wears to work out, and I can see the muscles all ripped underneath.

— I had breakfast brought here — he says when he reaches me. I have to look up because he's so much taller than me. Thomas plays with my wet hair and cups my chin. “We can hang out later if you want, like I promised. But I thought breakfast here would be a good idea.

I nod and he runs his thumb across my mouth.

— I'm going to take a shower — he announces, lets go of me and walks to the bathroom.

Don't look back, Cecilia. Do not look!

But I look, and as he always does, he starts taking off his clothes before he gets to the bathroom. I see the strong back when he takes off his shirt and the strong legs when he takes off his pants. I bite my lip, knowing he's going to take off his black boxers too. I want and don't want him to turn, because the size of his... penis scares me. I didn't know it could be so big.

“You can shower with me if you want, crystal,” he says when he catches me peeking, and I jump forward, my face burning with embarrassment. I hear her laugh and wait to hear the door close to change clothes.

I put on a dress Thomas bought me yesterday and look in the mirror. It looks beautiful on me. It even disguises my lack of curves. I decide it matches the necklace Thomas gave me and put on the emerald too, since he liked it so much when I wore it the other day. I'm just finishing fastening the clasp when he comes out of the bathroom in just his towel. I keep looking in the mirror, trying to hide it, but I know I can't because he has that smile on his face.

To make matters worse, he doesn't even finish getting dressed. He just puts on some other sweatpants and goes shirtless, showing off his irresistible six-pack and broad shoulders. It should be forbidden for such an arrogant man to be so handsome.

He comes up to me and stops behind my back. He brushes my still-damp hair out of the front and lowers his nose to my neck.

— You look beautiful in that dress — he says and kisses my skin. I gasp, and he pulls my waist back, pinning my ass to the front of his body. His hand goes under the dress and reaches my panties. He grunts and bites my neck as he plays with my panties with his fingers. "So little... Are you ready to beg me to fuck you yet?"

“I told you this will never happen,” I say, my voice cracking. He laughs and drags his finger down her panties.

“Too bad,” he says, and snaps the elastic against my skin. "Since I can't eat you, come eat breakfast."

After that stupid teasing, it takes me a few minutes to recover. Thomas looks as unfazed as ever and makes a beeline for the couch, but gives up trying to torture me. We both eat and have a decent conversation. When we finish eating, he looks at me and asks:

"Where do you want to go today?"

I look around and bite my lip, thinking.

"Can we stay here?" I ask. He raises an eyebrow and

me confused.

“You've been complaining all week about being trapped in this room and now you want to stay here?

I shrug.

“I thought we could watch a movie, I don't know,” I say and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

He looks at me for a few seconds like he's trying to figure out what to do with me, and I remember something I accidentally learned yesterday. I blink slowly and widen my eyes, put my fisted hands in front of my face and make a sly pout.

He squints, like he knows exactly what I'm doing, and he looks angry.

— You're crazy if you think you're going to manage to manipulate me with that little face of a girl who didn't get a birthday present.

- Please? - I ask in a sweet voice and drag myself on the couch close to him. I rest my face on his shoulder. “Just a movie. Please.

He sighs heavily and lets out a curse word.

“I'm not going to watch any rom-coms,” he says gruffly, and I cheer internally. “Turn on the television, annoying girl.

Before he changes his mind, I turn on the TV and start looking through the catalog for something. I pick a random movie because I don't care what's on, I just want to spend some time with it. I don't know why, but I want to. Thomas clears the table, turns off the lights, and returns to the couch. I sit down next to him as the movie starts, and he pulls me close. I let out a startled little yelp when Thomas holds me sideways in his lap and puts his mouth to my ear.

“If I'm going to be stuck here watching a movie, at least you're going to let me have a cone, aren't you? ’ he asks softly and makes me shiver. He slides his hand around my waist and squeezes my breast.

“You… you still haven't won the bet,” I say. He pinches my nipple through my clothes.

"I won," he insists. "I told you I'd show you what I can be."

good company and showed.

I shake my head.

“Not yet,” I whisper, having a hard time concentrating as his other hand moves up my thigh. “We can…talk,” I try. - I do not know nothing about you. You don't even know anything about me. We're getting married and I don't even know who you are.

I sigh and let out a soft moan because he kisses my neck.

“You're a stupid little girl who thinks she knows something about life, but she doesn't know anything,” he says into my ear, holding me tightly around the waist. “You're innocent and you believe in people too much. I try to pull away, but he holds me tighter. “But you're surprisingly smart and hardworking. I've never seen anyone your age try so hard with their studies. You come from a rich family, you didn't need that, but you still dedicate yourself to this college as if it were your whole life. You stand up to me when no one else would, which makes me believe you're either completely crazy or brave.

—Thomas…

He pulls me even closer and sucks on my lobe.

— And you are beautiful, Cecilia. Sweet, annoying and beautiful. I already know everything I need to know about you. He trails his mouth down my neck and starts unzipping my dress in the back. I melt whole in your arms. His voice is low and husky, without the usual mockery and acidity. He really seems to believe what he says, and my heart races, my stomach explodes with fluttering butterflies, and my entire body goes limp. “You're not at all what I expected you to be, crystal. And that's not a bad thing.

I close my eyes and throw my head back, completely surrendered.

“But I don't know anything about you,” I insist, panting. I grip his shoulders because it feels like I'm going to collapse even though he's holding me.

“One question,” he commands with his mouth on mine. “You are entitled to one question.

I think, or try to think, because it's so hard with his hands on me.

“I'm waiting,” he insists.

“Your…family,” I say, and he seems to freeze under me. “I've seen you all my life at my parents' house, but I don't know anything about your family.

Thomas doesn't say anything for a long time. I open my eyes and find his face again covered in that cold mask he loves to wear all the time. The eyebrows are furrowed and the voice comes out acidic:

- I do not have family. I blink in surprise and feel my mouth drop open. “My parents died when I was your age. It's just me. He laughs dryly. “And your motherfucking father was the only family I've had for a long time, so it feels like there's none now.

He clenches his jaw and I feel my eyes water.

“I'm so sorry,” I whisper, settling into his lap to try to hug him.

Thomas laughs, but I ignore it and manage to turn to face him. It suddenly makes sense for him to be like this, all thick and closed off. And I already discovered that underneath that carcass, there is a good man.

I wrap my legs around his waist and hold his face with both hands. He looks at me as confused as I've ever seen him, as if he doesn't understand what I'm doing.

“I'm sorry,” I say again, and I think I see sadness in his blue eyes for a second, but he hides it. I hug him and he freezes, but he returns the gesture and hugs me back. His body relaxes a little and he takes a deep breath. Thomas buries his face in my neck and I squeeze him tighter. “You have someone,” I say into her ear. “You have me. I promise you have.

He hugs me tighter for a few seconds, then suddenly stiffens again and pulls me away. Thomas drags a hand over his face and I have a feeling it's to cover up the tears in his eyes, but I must be wrong. That man would never cry.

"And what do I need you for, girl?" he asks in his usual dry tone. "Are you feeling sorry for me because I don't have any more parents?" I'd rather have dead parents than parents who sell me to a motherfucking motherfucker to save their ass.

I feel my lip tremble as the cry threatens to come and I jump out of his lap. I turn my back so he doesn't see me cry and I walk away to the bed, where I left my cell phone. I grab my cell phone and shove a boot onto my feet and start heading towards the door. I rub my face to wipe away the tears, but as soon as I grab the doorknob, he grabs my arm.

"Where do you think you're going?" - question. I pull my arm out of his hand.

- It's none of your business! I shout, and he takes a step back in surprise. “I won your bet, Thomas. You said I could go wherever I wanted on my own if you were an asshole, and guess what? You are the king of assholes! I yell, pointing a finger at him.

He widens his eyes and crosses his arms in front of his chest.

“And where are you going, crystal?” I thought your little friend was out of town.

“I don't know,” I say, but then correct, “I'm sure Josh will make time to see me.

The expression on his face changes to pissed off in less than a second and Thomas has me pinned to the wall.

"How many times do I have to tell you you're mine?" he growls. “You're not leaving here to go after that little shit.

"Only I'm not yours!" I say and push his chest. "Did you forget the contract?" I can do whatever I want as long as it doesn't hurt your reputation. I promise I won't cause any scandal, Mr. Albuquerque - I say with irony. “I'll be very discreet.

He grabs my waist and lifts my chin with his other hand. Thomas is furious.

"What are you going after that asshole for, Cecília?" he asks with his mouth on mine.

“None of your business,” I reply in a shaky voice. “Maybe I'll sleep with him,” I say in a surge of courage. "Then my body won't melt every time you get close, you idiot!"

He chuckles and drags his mouth down my face to my ear.

“Fuck that contract shit,” he says into my ear. "No son of a bitch is going to touch you." You are mine yes. Your first time is mine. I won't let a kid have you.

“It's not up to you to decide that,” I protest, gripping his shoulders.

"Tell me you don't want me," he orders in my ear. "Tell me you'd rather your first time be with an asshole who won't know what to do." Tell me, Cecilia. Because you know I'm going to make you come until you can't stand anymore. That I will eat you so tasty that you will never forget.

He puts his hand on my back where the zipper is still open and I forgot.

“Because I want you,” he says in the most sincere voice I've ever heard, and I shudder. "My balls ache to fuck you."

—Thomas…

“I'll take care of you, crystal. Give yourself to me, and I'll take care of you.