Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 124140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 621(@200wpm)___ 497(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 621(@200wpm)___ 497(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
“I’ll put out some feelers to see what I can find out about his death, but it was a long time ago and we have to do this carefully, so it may take time to find anything.”
She stared at him in shock. “Thank you. I know it’s a long shot. But I just . . . I need to do whatever I can to find her. I miss her so much.”
He lifted her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her as she cried against his shoulder.
Shoot. She hadn’t meant to start crying. She tried to pull herself together, leaning back to wipe at her face. He bent back and grabbed some tissues from the nightstand to clean her up.
She looked up at him, taking a deep breath as she gathered her courage. “I don’t know if this is the right time or if you’ll ever want to hear it. Or believe me. But I love you, Alejandro De Leon. So fucking much that sometimes it’s hard to breathe. I just . . . I needed you to know that. I love you.”
Alejandro felt like he could breathe for the first time since he’d found out she’d lied to him.
This wasn’t perfect. Maybe it never would be. But it was real. Of course, he couldn’t just wave a magic wand and forget everything. But he understood her motive for doing what she had.
And she hadn’t lied about anything else. About her feelings for him.
He could see it in her face.
She loved him.
“It’s okay if you can’t say it back. I know . . . I know I’ve got some work to do to get you to trust me again. But I needed you to know.”
Living with Cat would always be interesting. A challenge. In the bedroom, she would follow orders. Out of the bedroom was another story.
But that was what he liked. He didn’t want someone to always tell him yes. He wanted the challenge.
She’d never lie to him again. Or put herself at risk. Her plan had been so fucking risky.
“Alejandro?” she asked. “Are you all right?”
“Tell me again,” he commanded.
Her face softened as she gazed up at him. “I love you, Alejandro De Leon. I think I might have since that day you dragged me into that storeroom at Michelle’s. I love how protective you are. That you seem to know what I need before I do. I love the way you take care of me. I love that you can bring out my Little and help me live in the moment. I can fly because you’ll always be there to catch me. And I hated keeping things from you. I hate that I made you doubt me and my feelings for you. I hate that I hurt you. I thought about telling you the truth several times, but I was worried that you’d hate me.”
Cat was so strong in some ways. Yet fragile in other ways. And it was up to him to protect her.
He drew her closer, running his hand up and down her back. His girl didn’t deal well with people being
“I understand why you did it.”
“You do?”
“I miss my mama as well. I wish she was still with us.”
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I wish she was too. I think you miss your cousin and brother, too.”
“Yes. I do.” He let out a breath. “But you won’t ever lie to me again. Understand me? That is one thing I will not allow.”
“I understand,” she whispered. “I won’t. I won’t ever lie to you again.”
He nodded. “I think it’s time I told you about why I find it so hard to trust.”
Cat froze in his lap.
“Relax, Pequeña. I’m not going to suddenly pull away from you.” He wrapped his hand in her hair, tugging her head back.
“You called me Pequeña.” Relief filled her face.
“Yes?” he asked, confused. Didn’t he often call her that?
Tears entered her eyes. “Damn it, I wish I could stop crying. It’s just . . . you stopped calling me that and now you’re calling me it again. And I . . .”
“Oh, Preciosa. Hush. It’s all right. I understand. I promise I won’t shut you out again. Next time, we’ll go straight to the punishment, then the forgiveness.”
“You’re so sure there will be a next time?” she asked hotly.
“Pretty sure, yeah.” He grinned at her.
Cat rolled her eyes at him. So arrogant.
“I’m not holding back anymore, Alejandro,” she warned.
“You’ve been holding back?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Because I didn’t want to turn you off me. But the thing is, I’m a damn catch!”
She was shocked by the look of amusement on his face. “Are you?”
“Yes. Although, I have to warn you that I can be really impulsive. And I’ve got a temper. I also don’t like to be kept in the dark about things.”
“Do you just? You think I can’t handle your impulsivity and your temper?” He raised his eyebrows. “I’ll let you in on a secret. You haven’t hidden it that well. I’ve seen your temper.”