Chapter 28
We move seamlessly through my apartment together.
It’s like we never did it differently. She brushes her teeth as I brush my hair, puts on her underwear while I wash my face, makes tea while I make toast. The perfect dance.
We don’t even speak much. She just presses her lips against my shoulder in passing.
Looks at me through the mirror and winks.
Maya is in my space, claiming it and making it hers, without stealing my air. I marvel at it.
When I hold the door open for her and she gently brushes by, I almost want to pull her back into the apartment.
To keep her here with me. She must notice because she glances over her shoulder and gives me that smile—her smile.
The one that seems to be just for me. I sigh. Get a grip, Gonzales! I smile too.
The drive to the station is different. Maya puts on one of her playlists and bounces in her seat.
It should annoy me, but I find it endearing.
I chuckle softly and glance at her from the corner of my eye.
Her eyes sparkle as she sings along to some high-energy pop song, gesturing dramatically. She is so full of life, so passionate.
“How do you see me?”
The words slip out before I can even register the question nagging at the back of my mind.
“Huh?”
Maya freezes mid-motion and her mouth falls open. Her eyebrows come together in a puzzled look. She is so cute.
“When you look at me, what do you see?” I press.
“I see a beautiful, strong, and powerful woman that isn’t afraid of anyone or anything.
” She pauses thoughtfully for a beat. “When I look at you, El, I see somebody that goes above and beyond to keep another person safe, to protect them against harm. Not out of some hero complex,” she places her fingers gently on my forearm and I sigh, “but because you care more deeply than most.”
That last sentence surprises me and I whip my head to the side to look at her.
She stares at me. Her lips are slightly parted and her eyes wide.
There is something soft in her gaze. Something that makes me feel like she is the first person to ever see me.
A car honks and my focus snaps back to the road in front of us. ?DíOS, GONZALES!
My cheeks burn, but I ignore it. She is changing me.
Turning me from being pragmatic into… I don’t even know what.
Fuck. Maybe I should end it. Right here and now.
Before things get out of hand and one of us gets hurt.
But I really, really don’t want to do that.
I want every morning to be like this. To wake up with her in my arms, have breakfast, and enjoy our coffee together.
I frown and purse my lips. We’ll be at the station in only a few minutes. Then I’ll have to be lieutenant again. I can’t get distracted like this.
“Hey, can we go to my place instead, tonight? I really have to work on the interview before Helen kills me.”
Maya says the words so casually that I have to do a double take. Did we agree on spending time tonight? I glance at her, confused.
“Oh…I…” She whispers, reeling back in her seat, “…I thought… you… we…”
I chuckle before I steer the car around the last corner.
“Sounds great, querida.”
She lets out a soft huffed laugh and I can feel how her body relaxes.
“It’s just, you’ve never been there and…”
I park the car and turn to grin at her. I grab her hand in mine and softly run my thumbs over hers.
“I’m looking forward to it. Now… vámonos.”
She blushes at the wink I give her and I can’t stop myself from smiling like a fool as I step out of my truck. The moment I do, I nearly bump into Torres, who stares at me with dark eyes. His gaze drags up and down once, before he glances over at Maya, who appears from behind the truck.
“Did you just ride in together?”
Maya voices a yes at the same moment I say it’s none of his business. Torres grins slyly and lets his gaze glide over Maya’s slender frame. There is something in them that raises my hackles. When his tongue flicks out to lick his lips, my body takes over and I place myself in front of her.
“Back off, now,” I hiss low.
He arches his eyebrow in a challenge. His gaze drops down to my feet again and this time he drags it up with a different intent. I refuse to squirm, but that only seems to entertain him more.
“God, I love this place.” He chuckles low as he glances at Maya one last time. “Have a good shift, lieutenant.”
He tips his head as if to salute me, and walks toward his car. My head reels and my insides feel as tight as a bowstring ready for release. You are so screwed, Gonzales. Maya softly wraps her fingers around my wrist and tugs.
“Come on, El, let’s go,” she whispers. “We’re okay, all is well.”
She tugs again and my feet automatically start moving. One in front of the other. By the time we reach the door, I am smiling softly at myself. All is well indeed. After all, I have Maya at my side.
***
“Querida?”
“In here,” Maya’s voice sounds faintly from her study.
I walk toward the sound and smile. Maya stayed home today to work on her article, but she gave me the key to let myself in after my shift.
It feels… right, to come home to her. Even if this building she lives in is basically a deathtrap that puts me on edge the whole time.
Accidents can happen anywhere, Gonzales.
I push the door open just as she closes her laptop and turns around to face me.
A beaming smile on her face. I close the distance between us in two strides, pull her into my arms, and kiss her deeply.
“Well, hi there,” she smiles against my lips and I let out a soft hum.
“Hi.”
“You missed me.”
It is not a question, but a statement. One I can’t even argue with. Because, yes, I did miss her. The station feels empty without her presence. Hollow without her laughter and jokes. Even Rivera commented on it, and he prefers the peace and quiet.
“Did you get some work done?” I ask instead, and she lets out a low chuckle.
“Mhm-mm. But I think,” she purrs, “I need to explore the topic a bit more.”
I arch an eyebrow and lean back far enough to take her in. The smile around her lips is coy and her eyes are sparkling with mischief. She drags her nails over the small of my back and goosebumps erupt all over my arms. Her smile turns into a challenging grin.
I growl and nip at her jaw, before sliding my hands under her ass and lifting her up. Maya lets out a squeal, and now I am the one grinning. I sink my teeth into the soft skin under her ear and she instantly rolls her hips against me. Her breath ghosting against my cheek.
I walk us to her bedroom, pushing it open with my foot, and lay her down gently. She blinks once, her eyes searching my face.
“W... what?” I stammer, suddenly hyper-self-aware.
“You’re so… gentle,” she lets out a surprised chuckle and I freeze.
“Maya…” My voice is a low warning rumble, but she just raises her eyebrow.
“What? You promised me rough…”
The lightness in her tone is such a stark contrast to what she is asking of me, that I am thrown back for a moment.
I run my hand through my hair as I gaze at her.
Maya’s eyes are on mine, not breaking the contact for a single second.
She slowly grazes her teeth over her bottom lip.
The movement is so sensual that I feel myself soaking my underwear.
“Fuck, Maya,” I whisper with a hoarse voice.
“What?”
Again that innocent smile crosses her face. And suddenly every fiber in my body wants to wipe it off. I surge forward, pouncing at her like some sort of animal. She yelps and giggles as I press her into the mattress and kiss her hard.
“Off,” I growl as I tug at her shirt.
She obeys while I unbutton her pants and slip them off along with her panties. The heat builds in my core as I gaze down at her unapologetically hot body. I remove my own shirt so slowly that I can hear her whimper.
When I toss it to the floor, I make sure to flex my arm just a little bit and I can hear Maya’s breath stutter.
I raise my gaze to meet hers when I slowly step out of my pants.
Her eyes dart hungrily over my body and she unconsciously licks her lips.
Never in my life have I felt so wanted as in this moment.
I straddle her, pinning her underneath me. Her eyes are wide and dark as she looks up at me, expectantly.
“Please, Elena…” Her words are so soft that I can barely hear them, but gosh is she gorgeous.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” I tilt my head as she licks her lips again.
“Yes.”
Her breathy compliance drives me over the edge. I raise my hips only so that I can flip her on her stomach. She gasps as she suddenly feels my body press against her back, my lips near her ear.
“Then beg…”
Her breath stutters as I press hot open-mouthed kisses on her jaw, her neck, and her shoulder. She trembles under my touch, wriggling for more contact. I lock my hips tightly and press her wrists down.
“Beg,” I command now, before nipping her shoulder.
“El… please…” she complies, her voice dripping with want.
“Please, what?”
“Please, fuck me… fuck me hard.”
That is all I need. I grin and bite down harder, marking her as mine.
I run my tongue over her salty skin as I suck it in further.
Maya gasps loudly, but turns her head to give even better access.
I release her hands, that are now gripping the sheets, and run my left palm down between her shoulders.
The skin is so smooth, so soft, it almost feels like silk.
“Such a good girl,” I murmur in her ear as I glide my right hand down her side.
The moan she releases is low and guttural.
It is so intoxicating that it nearly makes me come, and I find myself grinding against her thigh.
Fucking hell. I drag my nails down her skin and press them into her hips, lifting her slightly.
She immediately arches up, pressing more against my own slick core and I groan in need.
“Do you feel what you’re doing to me?” I breathe as I nip at her jaw again.
Maya just moans and nods, her lips parted and her breathing rapid.
I roll my hips again, making her feel my slick wetness, coating her with it.
She pushes back into me, needy for more.
I press my left hand down a bit harder, so that she is pinned against the mattress, before I run my middle finger along her wet core.
“Elena, please…” she pants and my grin grows wider.
“That’s it, hermosa.”
When I press two fingers against her entrance she immediately tries to push her hips back.
“Tsk, tsk,” I hiss playfully as I withdraw them.
“No, please… El… I… I…” her breathing is faster now, desperate almost.
“You what? Use your words, querida.”
“Please, Elena… I need you.”
Her plea is high and hoarse. I glance at her face, her cheek still pressed against the pillow. Her mouth is dropped open and her eyebrows have come together in need. The smirk glides over my face before I can stop it.
“That’s my girl.”
I run my fingers over her slick pussy again, coating them before I have even entered her.
She moans and wriggles but keeps her hips still.
When I lick one of my fingers and taste her arousal on my tongue, I can no longer contain myself.
I slide inside her with one swift motion and she lets out a pleased cry as I stretch her. So gorgeous.