Bound To You

Chapter 12

Valeria

"I can't do this anymore," Carla grumbles, "I tell you I can't do this anymore, Val. The bitch is a fucking vampire. Hellbent on sucking my blood straight out of my veins. She is an abusive, narcissistic, psychotic fucking-"

"Okay," I say, "Carls, I love you, and trust me when I tell you, I am living for this rant, but I cannot, for the life of me, take this much heat first thing in the morning."

"First thing- first thing- hold up, ARE YOU JUST WAKING UP NOW?!"

"Matter of fact, pookie, I'm still in bed," I said, rubbing my face with my free hand, my eyelids illuminated orange thanks to the sunlight filtering in from the huge window, scrunching my nose as I stretch like a jungle cat, and smiling at the thought of Carla's face right now.

"IT'S 10 O' CLOCK BITCH, WAKE THE FUCK UP-"

All I responded with was laughter.

"Lucky," she muttered.

I laughed harder.

And heard her reluctant huff of amusement.

My laughter subsided with a sigh. "Oh, pookie, I'm so sorry. Wish I could help."

"You could come back . . ."

"ABSOLUTELY NOT," I mock-screamed into the phone, grinning at her hyena laughter on the other end of the phone.

"I know, I finally get it now. I mean, I got it before too, but now I get exactly what you meant."

She meant it to sound funny, but the words made me open my eyes and sit up.

"Hey," I said softly, "if it ever gets too much, tell me."

"And what would you do?" her question came out more hopeless than teasing.

"Something. I would definitely do something, no matter who it pissed off or how much it pissed them off."

A beat of silence on the other end.

Then . . .

"Thank you."

"You never, ever, have to thank me, pookie. Ever."

* * *

I munched on my granola bar, padding down the stairs in my disgustingly comfortable grey sweats and white t-shirt. Carlos and Gloria waved at me happily from the kitchen, and I returned their greeting with a bright smile.

Then I ventured through the (extremely gorgeous) house, looking out windows to find sitting areas and pools, peeking through doors to find lounges and bars and libraries and guest rooms and studios and a greenhouse, all accessorised with chandeliers.

Eventually, I heard the low rhythmic thumping bass of music, and followed it down a hallway to the last door.

I pushed down on the sleek black handle, taking another bite of my granola bar-

And promptly stopped chewing.

Holy. Mother. Fu-

Burning Hell below and Glorious Heaven above, he was gorgeous.

And I only had a view of his back.

His extremely shirtless back.

Which bunched and released with each push-up.

Did I mention it was covered in sweat?

His honey blonde hair glistened in the sunlight streaming in from the floor to ceiling windows, a shining spark in the middle of the panelled rosewood floor. He was dressed in nothing but a pair of light grey track pants. His body was a taut line, balanced on his hands and feet, his breath barely audible as he executed push up after push up effortlessly.