Chapter 16
I'm lying in bed, covered only by a thin sheet. My legs are still tangled with Alex's—he's already fallen into a deep sleep. My mind, though, is racing, reliving every moment of tonight.
Yes, I wanted him badly. And over the past few days, as we grew closer working on the project we created together, that desire only intensified. With every look we exchanged, every touch that seemed innocent, ending up in his arms became inevitable.
I've never dated. Never even gotten involved with anyone, not really.
Just a silly kiss as a teenager, at the school gate.
And of course, I still carry the scars from what I went through with that monster Vladimir.
But with Alex… it was different. He was intense, yes, but I never once felt afraid. Quite the opposite.
After we had sex in bed, we moved to the bathtub.
We did it all again, slower and more exploratory this time.
That's where he taught me how to ride—and what a wonderful discovery!
I confess, I'm already dying to do it again.
But I need to give my body a break. After all, I'm too small for such a… well-endowed man.
I smile to myself. I wasn't exactly innocent—of course I'd seen a cock before—but I'd never touched one, much less seen one up this close. And nothing, absolutely nothing, compares to the incredible sensations he gave me.
But the mind is full of surprises. Just as I'm lying here naked between the sheets, reliving every touch, every moan, an unexpected thought crosses my mind: Elena.
She's at home, in the middle of treatment…
though she's on a short break now, to rest. Her body is responding well, thank God, but she's still fragile.
She's exhausted, so I asked Dr. Jullian to consider pausing the chemotherapy, since it could end up making her overall condition even worse. I've been paying close attention to her diet, but even so, I've noticed she's lost weight and is more vulnerable to infections.
I'm taking my classes remotely, not just because of work, but mainly because of Ele, so I can be around more and take better care of her.
Fortunately, I have the support of Mr. Júlio and his wife, who've been a huge help during this time.
The girls from the club help out too. It hasn't been easy, I admit.
I try to quiet my mind and sleep—I need to wake up early to leave.
Minutes later, I drift off, only to plunge into a terrible nightmare.
I relive the entire scene from the day I came home and was sexually assaulted by my ex-stepfather.
I wake up startled, with Alex calling my name, desperate.
I'm sweating heavily and thrashing in bed.
This is the first time I've had a nightmare since everything that happened. I went to therapy with a psychologist who helped me immensely and helped me work through what I experienced, but some things you just can't erase.
“Chloe, Chloe… hey, look at me, it's me, Alex.”
I just hug him. He stays there, stroking my head, respecting my silence, and I'm grateful for that. When I'm calmer, I pull back a little and look into his eyes, which are filled with concern.
“I'm fine, thank you!” I say, trying to reassure him.
“What was that? Do you want to talk?”
“I'd rather not… sorry!”
“That's okay, but remember I'll be here whenever you want to talk.”
“Thank you, Alex.”
And he wraps me in a tight hug, lying down and pulling me with him. The sun begins to rise, illuminating the room. Lying on his chest, I lift my head slightly, and he seems to understand exactly what I'm asking, his eyes meeting mine with a knowing look.
“You need to leave, right? I'll make us breakfast.”
“You don't need to worry about me, Alex. You can sleep. Just have one of your drivers take me.”
“No way, I'm taking you home. And you're not leaving here without a proper meal.” I smile at him.
“Okay, Mr. Bossy. Have you always been this bossy?”
“I confess there's a bit of my father in me. He always impressed upon me the importance of being a responsible man, especially when it came to work. Since I was little, he taught me to work hard and never give up, because he wanted me to achieve the kind of success he'd built.”
“And why did your parents come here?”
“We had a very difficult life back in Russia. My father always dreamed of having his own business, but opportunities were scarce. So after years of struggle, we decided to risk everything and emigrate in search of a better life.”
“You must miss your parents, right?”
“Very much! I owe everything I am and have today to my father. After he passed, I felt determined to honor his memory, and I managed to triple the fortune he built through so much hard work and dedication.”
“He's proud of you.”
We smile at each other, and then I get up, wrapping myself in the soft sheet that still holds the warmth of our bodies. I walk to the bathroom while Alex heads to his closet, probably looking for something to wear after our night together.
As soon as I return, I find a t-shirt and sweatpants on the bed.
I get dressed and head straight to the kitchen.
I'm starving, and the smell wafting through the house is amazing.
I reach the kitchen entrance and see him there in sweatpants similar to mine, shirtless, standing at the stove preparing eggs and bacon and coffee.
But when I look at the counter, I'm amazed by the variety of fresh fruits, breads, and cheeses arranged so beautifully.
“Did you make all this?”
“Yes.” He smiles at me. “I didn't know what you liked to eat, so I made a few things I'm used to. Have you ever tried tapioca?”
“Never had it, but it looks delicious.”
“Yeah, I tried it when I went to Brazil and started having it for breakfast. I think you'll like it too.”
We sat down and I tried a little of everything he'd served. It was wonderful.
“Thank you! Everything was delicious.”
“I made these for your sister.”
He hands me a package with a little of everything he made. I thank him, and we finally leave.