Hate That Blooms

41. Joaquín

Chapter 41

Joaquín

I walk up the front steps behind Gabriela, my heart still pounding in my chest, though it’s not from the party anymore. The music, the loud conversations, the flashing lights—all of that fades away once we step inside the house, and the quiet of her home wraps around us like a blanket. Gabriela leads the way, and I follow her without question, feeling like I’m drifting along with the pull of gravity.

She’s my gravity.

Mireya’s asleep in my arms; thank God. I hate to admit it, but I’ve been so on edge these past few weeks, caught between wanting to make things right and fearing that I’ve already ruined my chances with her. But this moment? It feels like a chance to breathe, like something between us can still be salvaged, even after everything that’s happened.

Gabriela turns to me, taking her sister from my arms, but before she disappears down the hallway. She gives me a smile, soft, knowing. It’s that same smile that tells me she knows I’m still here, still trying. Words are like band-aids—they can cover the wound, but they can’t heal it. I’ve been doing everything I can to show her, to prove to her I can be what she needs.

“Go ahead and sit down,” she says when she returns, her voice light, but there’s something underneath it—something deeper, heavier. She watches me for a second before she moves to walk past me.

I sit on the couch, letting my hands fall into my lap. The cushions are soft beneath me, but it feels like I’m sitting on a bed of needles, the anticipation making every muscle in my body tense. I wait, trying to calm my breath, knowing that this moment has been a long time coming—the talk. And I don’t want to mess this up.

Gabriela goes into the kitchen and returns a moment later with two drinks, and I’m surprised when, after setting them on the coffee table, she doesn’t sit beside me. Instead, she crawls into my lap, straddling me, her eyes locked onto mine with an intensity I don’t know how to handle. For a second, I freeze, unsure of what’s happening. My chest tightens as she rests her head against my shoulder.

“I know this is what you wanted, right?” She murmurs, her breath warm against my skin. “I’ve been waiting for you to figure things out, Joaquín. I’ve never stopped wanting you.”

I swallow hard, the weight of her words settling over me like a weight I’ve been carrying for too long. “I know,” I say, my voice rough and bringing my arms around her, holding her to my chest. “I know I screwed up, Gabriela. I’ve been thinking about it—about how I treated you. How I hurt you. How I treated you like you were the one who deserved to bear all of the pain.”

Her fingers play with the collar of my shirt, and the way she’s touching me makes it harder to breathe, but I don’t pull away. I can’t. “I know I messed up. But when my mom left—I was hurting. And I thought... I thought if I could just take it out on someone, it would make me feel better. That someone was you and it was so fucking convenient that you were his daughter. But it didn’t make me feel better. It only made things worse. You were the last person I should have turned that anger toward.”

I let out a shaky breath, my chest tight with regret. “I should have never done those things to you. You didn’t deserve it. You didn’t deserve me at my worst. Then it ended with you getting — when you got?—”

I hear the quiet intake of her breath, feel her body shift in my lap, and then she leans back slightly, her eyes scanning my face like she’s searching for something—maybe the truth, maybe some shred of honesty I haven’t shown her yet. But when she speaks, her words aren’t laced with anger. Instead, there’s tenderness in her tone, something that feels like forgiveness.

“I’m so proud of you,” she whispers, her voice making my heart skip a beat. “I’m proud of how far you’ve come. You’ve been working on yourself, Joaquín. You’re not running anymore. I see it.”

I swallow thickly, feeling a lump rise in my throat. “I want to be better for you. For me. For us. But I know I can’t erase the things I’ve done. The hurt I’ve caused.” I rub my hand over my face, trying to will away the guilt that’s been gnawing at me since the moment I saw the damage I caused.

Gabriela leans forward, her hand gently cupping my face. “I don’t need you to erase anything,” she says, her thumb tracing the line of my jaw. “I just need you to keep moving forward. Because I need you.”

Her words linger in the air between us, soft yet firm, like a promise she’s giving me that I know I don’t know if I deserve. But her touch? Her touch is like a balm to the open wound inside of me. Soothing the sting and making me realize all the time away was worth it.

“I want this,” she continues, her eyes locking with mine. “I want to keep working on myself, too. And I want to do it with you. I still want you, Joaquín. All of you. The messy, imperfect, trying-to-do-better version of yourself. Because that’s who you are now. And I’m proud of you for that.”

Her words hit me like a freight train, and for a second, I didn’t know what to say. I don’t know how to respond to this kindness, to this unconditional acceptance that I don’t deserve but desperately need. And in that silence, all I can do is look at her—the woman who’s taken every hurtful thing I ever did to her in my darkest moments—and wonder how I ever got this lucky.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “I don’t deserve you, Reina . But I’m going to keep working for you. For us.”

Her lips press gently against mine, silencing the words I don’t know how to say. When she pulls away, I see the soft smile on her face—the one that’s always been my safe place. “You don’t have to be perfect,” she says, her voice so sure. “Just be you. That’s all I need.”

And then, without saying another word, she stands and holds out her hand. “Come on,” she says, her voice teasing, but there’s an edge of something else in it—something that pulls at the core of me. “I think we’ve talked enough for tonight.”

I stand without hesitation, taking her hand in mine as she leads me toward the hallway. Toward her bedroom. I know what she means by that look in her eyes. It’s not just about talking anymore. It’s about moving past everything that’s come before and stepping into something new, something better.

When we reach her bedroom, Gabriela turns to face me, her eyes full of warmth, full of trust. “I meant it, Joaquín. I see a future with you.”

I let out a staggered breath, the weight of her words sinking in deeper than anything else she’s said. I pull her close, wrapping my arms around her, and in that moment, I know with absolute certainty that she’s right. This is what I want, too. This is the future I see—one where we keep healing together, where we keep growing together, no matter how hard it gets.

“I want that, too,” I say, my voice low, barely a whisper against her hair.

And with that, I lift her into my arms, carrying her to the bed like she’s the most precious thing in the world. I know we still have a long way to go and that the road ahead will be messy and difficult. But right now, it feels like we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.

“God, I need you, Quín.” laying her down on the bed, she reaches for me, pulling me on top of her.

This is everything I’ve wanted. Gabriela and I, together in this bed. Her mouth on mine, stealing the very breath from my lungs with each kiss. “Let me close the door so we don’t wake Reya.” I mumble against her lips, kissing her before rising to cross the room to the door. “She doesn’t need to hear all the things I’m about to do to you.”

When the door clicks shut and I turn the lock, I turn to face her. “What are you going to do to me, Quín? Are you going to fuck your step sister in her bed?" The playful look in her eyes and the rise and fall of her chest have me about ready to explode.

Fuck, her calling herself my step sister shouldn’t turn me on.

My hardening cock seems to disagree with that statement. “No,” I shake my head. “I’m going to make love to you in your bed. The bed that will hopefully be my bed, but we will work on that later. Right now, I need you naked.”

"You first,” motioning to me with her foot, raising her eyebrows. “I want to see you, Joaquín. I didn’t get to fully enjoy the two times I’ve seen you.”

That thought sent me reeling back to the two times I had her, the first time denying her orgasm and selfishly claiming her. And the second time, clothed and in a fucking lecture hall, while my friends?—

“Stop,” her voice breaks through the subconscious memories. “I know what you’re thinking and don’t even go there.” She gets up and moves toward me. “We are here, right now, and I want you to only think about us in this moment.”

I nod, swallowing hard. “Okay,” my fingers undoing the buttons of my flannel, pulling it off and tossing it aside. I kick off my shoes and reach for my belt, the sound of the metal pieces clinking as I undo it. The sounds of her heavy breathing and the teeth of my zipper going down fill the quiet space.

“Fuck, Quín,” she draws in a breath as my pants and underwear hit the floor with a thud.

I smirk, licking my lower lip, loving the look on her face. One of the main perks of having a physical job is being in great shape. That and I’m guessing my dick isn’t too small. “Let me help you, Hermosa." I need to see every beautiful curve of your body. I need to hold you in my arms.”

“Undress me then. I’m all yours, Joaquín.” I reach for her, lifting her shirt over her head, leaving her in her bra. My lips leave a trail of wet kisses from her neck, over the tops of her breasts. I drop to my knees in front of her, kissing her stomach as my fingers undo her jeans.

I look up at her, and she tilts her head back, parting her lips, letting out the softest moan. “Don’t stop,” she begs when she feels my lips leave her skin. I tug her underwear down with her jeans, and it takes all of me to not bury my face in her pussy.

It’s been so fucking long since I’ve tasted her.

“I should have told you how fucking beautiful you are a long time ago. Now I’m going to spend the rest of my life worshipping every inch of your body.” I rise, trailing my fingers along her arms, reaching behind her to undo the claps of her bra. Kissing each part of her that is exposed to me. When I finally reach her chest, I take her nipple in my mouth, sucking, making her gasp.

“Bed,” she says between gasps as I switch to her other nipple. I grin against her skin and, with a loud pop, let go of her nipple and pick her up, moving us to her bed. I set her on the edge of the bed with her legs hanging over, dropping to my knees again. “No,” she whines, “I need you inside me.”

“Patience, Reina. Déjame probarte primero.”

In surrender, probably knowing I’m not going to pass up making her feel good like this, she spreads her thighs for me.

“ Eso es todo, Reina. Deja que tu rey te adore. Déjame hacerte sentir bien. (That's it, my queen. Let your king worship you. Let me make you feel good.)” Slowly I kiss up her leg, taking my time, working my way toward her pussy. “God, I don’t deserve you, Gabriela.” My nose brushes against her clit and I bury my face between her thighs, taking in her scent. She’s my drug and all I want to do is be high on her for the rest of my life.

“I’m going to die if you don’t touch me soon. Please, please .”

Begging has never sounded so sexy. All I want to do is make her feel good. To show her I can give more than I take.

Lightly circling her clit at first, then running my tongue down the length of her entrance, then back up. “You taste so fucking good,” I groan, easing my tongue inside her, feeling how wet she is for me. “You like this baby—you want more?”

“Uh huh,” her fingers tangle in my hair, anchoring me to her, focusing my attention on her clit. Alternating between licking and sucking, savoring every drop that she gives me. Gabriela begins to squirm, grabbing onto the comforter, her back arching off the bed. With my middle and ring finger, I slip inside her pussy, stroking that spot that has her cursing to God in Spanish.

“ Dios. No pares. (God, don’t stop.)" She clenches around my fingers and I suck and lick her clit until she screams my name, adding pressure inside her. The wet sounds coming from her pussy have me feral. Her thighs quake as her orgasm explodes, soaking my face and the edge of the bed in fluid.

“Fuck, that’s it, Reina .” I praise her. “Look at how much you came for me. Now I’m gonna make love to you.”

“Yes,” she moans, inching back on the bed, making space for me between her thighs.

I give my cock a few slow strokes with the hand that’s now covered in her arousal, and she watches, licking her lips. I know that look. “Not tonight. I need to be inside you and I know you need it too.” I lean over her, supporting myself on my forearms, placing a kiss on her lips.

“I can taste me on your lips,” she moans, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling my face back to hers.

“You are the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted.” I reach between us, adjusting so that I’m lined up with her. “Ready?” I ask, my voice trembling slightly.

“Make love to me, Joaquín.” Bending her knees and planting her feet, giving me ample space to move, I enter her, meeting only a little resistance as I move inside her. Gabriela gasps at the pressure, and I remind myself to take things slow. This is only the second time I’ve been inside her.

“So tight,” I moan, leaning into her neck, reaching for her hands to lace our fingers together. Holding them above her head, I slowly thrust, savoring every single moan she makes. “You’ll never have to doubt me again.” Moan. “I’ll never let another second go by where you have to wonder if you mean something to me.” Thrust. “I’ll be the man you need me to be, Gabriela. Forever. I swear it.”

I press my forehead against hers and catch the tears rolling down her cheeks. “Fuck, am I hurting you?” I stop and start to pull out.

“No!” She slips one of her hands from mine, grabbing my hip to keep me seated inside her. “I was just thinking that this is the way it should have been. Me and you, right here. From the beginning.”

I smile sadly, taking her hand back and gently caressing the side of her palm with my thumb. Raising it to my lips and placing a tender kiss on her inner wrist. “This is how it’ll be from here on out.”

She nods, and through soft kisses, she tells me to keep going. With every thrust, I know that I’m so fucking painfully in love with her. I feel her tightening around me, and I pick up the pace, wanting to come with her. “That’s it, Reina . Fuck, you’re so beautiful. Come for me again.”

I collapse onto her, whimpering in her ear, telling her she’s my everything, my entire world, and that she’ll never be alone again now that I’m here. She lets out a soft cry, shattering around me, and I kiss her, swallowing every noise she makes as I come deep inside her.

* * *

The quiet between us lingers, comfortable but charged with something unspoken, something that we’ve both felt but never quite had the words for until now. Gabriela’s fingers still trace the back of my neck, and one of my hands rests gently on her waist, my thumb brushing her bare skin. I can feel the warmth radiating off her, the steady rise and fall of her chest beneath my other palm. It’s like everything else in the world has faded away, and it’s just the two of us here.

I look down at her, and there’s something in the way her eyes lock onto mine that tells me she’s waiting for me to say it, just as much as I’m waiting for her. She knows me better than I know myself. The way she holds me in her gaze makes me feel like I could say anything, and she’d understand it without question.

I swallow hard, and my throat suddenly dries. I don’t know why it feels harder now than ever before, but it does. Saying the words feels like stepping into a new world, one where everything is different, and I’m afraid I won’t know how to handle it.

But I can’t keep holding back. Not when she’s here, not when she’s made me feel like I’m worthy of more than I ever thought I deserved.

“Gabriela,” I say her name softly, almost as a question.

“Hmm,” her fingers stop moving on my neck, and she tilts her head slightly, watching me with those eyes that have always been my undoing. She doesn’t rush me. She waits.

I take a breath and then let it out slowly, my chest tightening with everything I’ve been holding inside. “I know it’s been a mess. It’s been complicated, and I’ve messed up more times than I can ever apologize for. But through all of that... through all the pain and all the bullshit, I realize one thing.”

Gabriela’s lips part, her eyes softening, and I can feel the anticipation in her, the same tension I’m feeling.

“I love you, Reina ." I say it finally, and the weight that lifts off my chest is almost overwhelming. It’s like a dam breaking, like everything inside me I’ve held back for so long is rushing to the surface all at once. “I love you. I’ve loved you since the third grade, even when I didn’t know what love really was. Even when I thought I didn’t deserve you. But I do, I love you so fucking much. More than anything.”

I hold my breath, afraid that maybe I’ve said too much too soon, that I’ve scared her off, but when she looks at me, her eyes are full of something else. Something softer. Her lips curve up into a smile that melts the last of the tension in me, and I can’t help but smile back, the ache in my chest easing with every second she stays there, holding my gaze.

“I love you, too,” she says, her voice barely a whisper but steady, like she’s been holding this inside too. “I’ve loved you for so long, Joaquín. Even when you didn’t see it, I did. Even when it hurt, I loved you.”

My heart stutters in my chest, and I feel the truth of her words settle deep inside me. She’s loved me. Even when I didn’t deserve it. Even when I was hurting her. It makes me feel like I’m standing on solid ground for the first time in years. The uncertainty of who I am and who I was doesn’t seem as scary anymore.

I can’t keep the smile off my face. I shift to my side so I can pull her closer, my hands framing her face, and kiss her again, this time deeper, more urgent. She responds immediately, her lips parting beneath mine, and I taste the sweetness of her kiss and the promise in it. There’s no rush, no hurry. Just the realization that we’ve finally said it—that we’ve admitted what’s been there all along. The love we’ve both been hiding from, hiding in plain sight, is finally out in the open.

When we pull apart again, we’re both breathless, and I rest my forehead against hers, my hands still tangled in her hair. “I never want to be without you,” I confess, my voice rough, the emotion overwhelming me again. “I don’t know how to go back to what it was before. I don’t want to.”

Gabriela smiles softly, her hand resting on my chest over my heart. “You don’t have to. I’m not going anywhere, Joaquín. We can be together now.”