BELLA MARTIN 17

B E L L A

"That was the only job I could even get because I became pregnant before finishing my degree. I can communicate in Filipino, English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, German, and Farsi." "What are you doing now? I can barely communicate in French, but I have cousins in France. And what about Farsi? You're much more than a hot piece of ass, that's for sure. Why didn't you inform me? ” I shook my head. "I'm not sure. It was something I saved for later. "Spy stuff," I said, scrunched up my nose. "I'm so relieved I don't have to do that any longer." No more pretending to be the hot girl and enticing creepy men. That was dreadful, Martin." "You preferred pretending to be my girlfriend, didn't you? You decided to make your feelings for me a federal issue. I'm a little flattered." I smacked him on the shoulder and said, "I wasn't trying to pretend. Please don't make fun of me." "All right," he said as he swooped in and kissed me. The kiss was so tender. It was a fresh start. One with no secrets. It was soft and gentle. He drew back. "All I've desired for a month has been you, and everything seemed to be scheming against us." Martin laughed and wrapped his arms around my waist, pressing my body against his. And I enjoyed it. "That's amusing. Tonight, there was a genuine conspiracy." "There's a lot of conspiracy. Tons. Martin, your family is a shambles. Like. It's really rough." "Tell me all about it. I warned you. Why do you think I didn't want to return? ” "I understand now. "Wise choice." We just began giggling when we stared each other. And laughing. We couldn't stop ourselves. We collapsed against the wall, leaning against one another, barely able to catch our breaths until the hysterics subsided. He was petting my back, and I was inhaling his scent while pressing my nose against his collarbone. “It’s been such a long day,” I said into his skin. “Would you like to come to bed with me and forget all about it?” I took a deep breath in and then slowly exhaled it. "I would really, really like to. And I'd like to forget about work, both of ours." "As well as our families, yours and mine," he added. "Just for tonight," I couldn't help but laugh. "I'd already informed my grandmother that I'd be working all night. She was unimpressed that I wasn't going to accompany you." "Well, I don't want to let anyone down. Come on," he said, taking my hand in his and leading me to his bedroom, where the bedsheets were still rumpled from our earlier night's activities. I really can not believe it had happened on the same night. I felt like I'd lived several lifetimes in one day. His hands landed on my shoulders. "Hey, stop it right now. You're becoming tense once more. Right now, we're going to forget all of it. And we're going to lie down and relax." “Just be? Is that it? Nothing else? ” "It's just you and me." "Frankly," he smirked. “Naked. Touching. Simply be." "That definitely sounds really, really great," I said, catching his gaze and removing my sweatshirt. It landed with a soft thud on the floor. "Definitely a good idea," he said as he assisted me in pulling my t-shirt over my head, which followed the jacket onto the pile on the floor. Before he could start on my pants, I wound up going for his shirt, and before we could plan anything else, we'd both fallen into bed, shoes kicked across the room and my bra thrown a little too hard. We decided to settle into each other's arms, laughing softly, until it was just smooth skin, soft breaths, and gentle caresses. "That feels so good," I said, barely able to concentrate. "You sound nice," he said softly. Muttering. "Are you nodding off?" I inquired, not recognizing that my eyes were closed. I couldn't get them open. His eyes were also closed. I smiled. I liked how he had his eyes closed. I'd never seen him doze off before. It was intimate. It was true. “MMm-no. I'd like to make love to you." "Yes, you're dozing off," I said, a grin on my face. I stroked his hair with my fingers. It felt as smooth as silk. "However, I want to make love. To begin again...because I love you." "How about we just sleep together? Naked and truthful. Then we make love in the morning." "Are you staying here? ” “Mmhmm. All night in your arms. I absolutely love it here." "What a brilliant idea," he said, tucking me into his chest so I could hear his heartbeat and he could hold onto me. And that everything seemed to be in order in the world. "I love you," I said as I fell asleep. "I love you as well," he murmured. “Always.” That's precisely what happened the next morning. Martin nuzzled my neck, his fingers teasing me to a peak even before I fully opened my eyes, and then we made love in a daze of sunshine pouring through the window panes, soft cotton sheets, and his delectable skin, and the sounds of his moaning, and the feel of his mouth on mine. "Martin," I moaned because I couldn't think of anything else to say. He was everything to me. We solidified our love for each other between kisses and moans till we were limp in each other's arms as he tried to enter me and drove me higher. When we awoke, I found that penthouse showers are incredible, and they have room for two, which was exciting. Martin had the best coffee I'd ever had, as well as one of those fantastic professional-grade coffee machines. I also realized that when I stole one of his old t-shirts to wear with my jeans, it nearly drove him insane seeing me trying to wear his clothes, which was undoubtedly something I wanted to investigate further in the future, particularly since I loved wearing his shirt and being able to smell him on my skin. I didn't want to leave him, despite the fact that I knew I had to. He didn't seem to want me to leave either. As we sat in the kitchen, sipping his delicious coffee, he looked at me. "Do you mind if I drive you home?" ” The full of hope expression on his face made my heart swell three sizes. He assumed I didn't want him to drive me home. He was so used to me putting up barriers between us that asking him to drive me home does seem like a bigrequest. I took his hand in mine and drew it into my lap. "How about you coming up to meet my Abuela and driving me and Yzee back to my townhouse?" His surprised expression could be seen in his indrawn breath. "Would you like them to know we're together?" ” I kissed his knuckles with his hand to my lips. "I want everyone to know we're all in this together. There are no secrets. This is true." We walked the few blocks to Abuela's home after he nodded. It was nothing like Martin's penthouse. It was in an old, run-down walk-up apartment complex. Abuela had been there for fifty years, and it was obvious. When we tried to knock on Abuela's door, she invited us in. Martin, on the other hand, charmed the pants off of her. "Mija, didn't you say you were working last night?" Abuela drew me aside as Yzee, overjoyed by Martin's appearance, claimed him to explain the latest twists in her favorite TV show. "I had been at work. It was...a long and complex night, but I guess we're dating now." "Did you just guess?" I took a deep breath and bit my bottom lip. “No. We're in a relationship. You are correct. I've been afraid to give myself this." “And…” I took a deep breath again, and her brow furrowed halfway up her brow. "And we figured it out. And I'm giving myself permission to have him. He's such a nice guy, Abuela. He adores children. He's intellectually honest." Her eyes widened. "You're madly in love with him. I was aware of it. I already like him. Bring him around more frequently. I don't get enough attractive men trying to visit me." "You can't have him, Abuela. He's already taken," I joked. But that wasn't long before we loaded Yzee into Martin's car and drove out to our home. Yzee was overjoyed. I was overjoyed that he was there and that I was still seeing him. I would have told her not to get her hopes up, but I had my own. All the way up. Martin was the one. They'd all been correct. He was destined for me. He was the one and only true love of my life. My true love. And I was going to have him all to myself.