Chapter 30
THIRTY
Mateo
The hotel hallway is dimly lit, the elegant sconces emanating soft, golden pools of light onto the plush carpet.
My heart thuds erratically, matching the rapid rhythm of my footsteps as I step from the elevator, anticipation like a physical ache deep inside my chest. The sleek key card sits cool in my palm, the numbers etched upon it feeling like the gateway to a future I’m both desperate and afraid to embrace.
Every step toward her room quickens my pulse, excitement tangling with apprehension.
The memory of the club, of Yvonne’s betrayal, still simmers beneath my skin, but even that can’t compete with the overwhelming pull toward Vaeda.
She has become my magnetic north, and I’m helplessly drawn, unable to resist the allure of her presence any longer.
I pause in front of her door, number 1108 gleaming subtly under the muted hallway lights.
My breath catches as I slide the card into the lock, the beep granting access like a whispered promise.
The door clicks open, and I step inside, immediately enveloped in the soft, familiar scent of her perfume.
It’s a delicate mixture of vanilla and jasmine that wraps around me like a caress.
My eyes roam over her room, the neatly made bed with its pristine white linens, and the small table beside it cluttered with Vaeda’s belongings. My gaze catches on the prescription bottle, standing stark and ominous against the polished wood surface.
I approach hesitantly, my stomach tightening with unease as I pick it up, the cool plastic familiar and uncomfortable in my palm.
My eyes skim over the label, my heart freezing as the words “Vaeda Lewis–Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen, take one tablet every six hours for pain” glare back at me.
My throat tightens painfully, a wave of nausea rolling through my stomach.
Hydrocodone. My stomach tightens at the sight, an involuntary ache reminding me of darker days.
I place the bottle down gently, heart racing slightly as concern for Vaeda mingles sharply with my own complicated past. I try to shake away the memories as I place the key card and my cell phone down, pulling me firmly back to the present.
Yet, amidst the churning dread, my heart stutters with empathy.
Vaeda is in pain, physically and emotionally, and suddenly, my struggle feels mirrored by her own.
I also know the dangerous path this medication can carve, and the thought of her caught in its relentless grip sends cold fear skittering down my spine.
The sound of running water from the bathroom registers in my awareness, halting my scattered thoughts. The soft rush abruptly cuts off, replaced by a silence that rings loudly in my ears. My pulse picks up, nervous excitement weaving seamlessly with concern.
A few moments later, the bathroom door creaks open slightly, steam drifting out into the dimly lit bedroom.
My breath catches sharply, every nerve in my body hyper-aware of her proximity.
Vaeda steps into view, wrapped in a plush white hotel towel, her wet hair cascading in dark waves around her shoulders.
Her gaze meets mine instantly, eyes wide and uncertain.
“Mateo,” she breathes out, surprise coloring her tone, her gaze flicking briefly toward the bedside table.
My heart thuds heavily against my ribs. “I hope it’s okay that I let myself in.”
She nods, biting her bottom lip slightly, the action sparking heat low in my belly despite the lingering worry. “Of course. I wanted you to come.”
We stand frozen, silence stretching taut between us, loaded with desire, but something shadows her eyes, a flicker of vulnerability she tries to mask behind a soft, hesitant smile.
“Vaeda,” I begin gently, stepping closer, the space between us shrinking with every heartbeat. “Are you okay?”
She swallows visibly, her eyes flickering away momentarily before returning to hold my gaze. “I’m fine. It’s just… my ankle is still giving me trouble.”
Her admission feels honest, yet incomplete. I reach out slowly, gently brushing damp strands of hair from her cheek, my thumb softly grazing her jawline. Her breath hitches, the subtle reaction igniting a fire within me that battles fiercely against my concern.
“You’re in pain,” I murmur softly, my eyes searching hers deeply. “I saw the prescription.”
Vaeda’s eyes widen briefly in panic before she quickly composes herself, offering a reassuring smile. “I’m only taking it if the pain becomes too much. I promise.”
Her assurance does little to calm the anxious churn in my gut, but I push aside my fears for the moment.
I shouldn’t project my faults onto her. Just because I could never handle taking just one, doesn’t mean she can’t.
Tonight is about us and finally giving in to the pull she’s fought desperately against, the undeniable connection that pulses between us.
“Come here,” she whispers, stepping into my embrace, her slender arms slipping around my neck.
The feel of her body pressed close is electrifying, dissolving any lingering doubts.
Her lips find mine, soft, warm, and insistent.
I lose myself in her, in the taste of her kiss, the heat of her body, and the gentle tremors that ripple beneath my hands.
“Vaeda…” Her name falls from my lips like a prayer, filled with reverence and longing.
Her kiss is tender, yet hesitant, as if she’s afraid to break the fragile spell enveloping us.
My hand slides down, fingers tracing along her neck and over her shoulder, before settling at her waist. The towel shifts slightly, causing my breath to hitch at the bare softness of her skin beneath my touch.
Our kiss deepens as passion slowly builds like embers igniting into flames. Her arms tighten around my neck, pulling me impossibly closer, her body molding perfectly against mine. I lift her effortlessly, carrying her toward the bed, our mouths never separating as I lay her down gently.
“I want you,” she whispers against my mouth, her words fueling a fire that threatens to consume us both. Her eyes search mine, vulnerable yet fiercely certain.
“You have me,” I answer softly, sincerity saturating every word. “All of me, Vaeda.”
I slowly pull away the towel, my breath catching at the perfection of her body beneath me. My fingertips trail over her curves, mapping her skin like sacred terrain, memorizing every inch. Her hands reach for me, gently guiding my clothes away, discarding layers until there’s nothing separating us.
Her breath quickens, matching the rapid rhythm of my heart.
I take my time, savoring every sigh, every gasp that escapes her lips, imprinting them into memory.
We move together, our bodies blending seamlessly, each motion a silent vow.
Our breaths mingle with whispers of affection and vulnerability filling the space between us.
“I need you,” she murmurs, her fingers threading through my hair as she pulls me closer, deeper into her embrace.
Every touch is exquisite torture, every kiss a revelation.
Our bodies become poetry, a dance choreographed by the deepest parts of our souls.
The moment I sink inside of her, pleasure surges through us, intense and beautiful, shattering every wall we’ve built.
And when we reach the edge together, tumbling over in perfect harmony, it feels as though I’m seeing clearly for the very first time.
The world around us fades, leaving only Vaeda and the profound certainty that this is exactly where I’m meant to be.
We lie tangled together afterward, our breathing slowly evening out. Her head rests against my chest, her fingers tracing gentle patterns over my heart. My hand gently strokes her hair, my other arm wrapped protectively around her slender frame.
Turning her face gently up to mine, I brush the hair from her cheek, eyes locking onto hers. My heart pounds, vulnerability gripping me tightly, yet I know these words are unstoppable.
“I love you, Vaeda,” I whisper, my voice filled with absolute certainty and raw emotion.
Her eyes widen slightly, a shadow flickering across them, but she says nothing. The silence between us stretches painfully, yet I hold her gaze, unwavering. Her silence echoes in my heart, a stark contrast to the truth I’ve just offered so openly.
Still, she remains quiet, her response lost somewhere behind her unreadable eyes.
VAEDA
The moment he says the words, I want so badly to say them back. I’ve made the decision to end my marriage, but Gerardo doesn’t know that yet. I want to be able to tell him it’s over, to have everything finalized before I say those words to Mateo.
Most of all, I want to mean them.
I know my feelings run deep for the man who’s looking into my eyes, searching for a reciprocation that’s sealed inside my chest. There’s no right or wrong way to end a marriage and start a relationship with someone else. It’s a different journey for everyone.
“I need just a little more time,” I whisper as his eyes widen and his expression grows slack with surprise.
“What?” His voice is hoarse as he sits up, letting the blanket fall away from his body. “You’re choosing him again.”
“No.” I reach out to touch his arm, but he pulls away from me, his face a mask of agony. “That’s not it. I have some things to work out with Gerardo tomorrow—”
“What?” he yells as he scrambles out of the bed, his devastation evident in the heaving of his chest with every breath. “He’s coming here? Did you invite him here? You wanted to have your fun with me first, right?”
His words are ripping a hole inside my chest with how hurt he sounds, and I begin to tremble as he haphazardly pulls on his clothes.
“He always knew about the competition, and he decided to come here before I decided this—”
“Before you decided to fuck me and shred my heart into tiny pieces!” he bellows as tears run down his cheeks.