𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐑𝐄 | 𝓟𝓮𝓭𝓻𝓸 𝓟𝓪𝓼𝓬𝓪𝓵 |

13

The clinking of dishes and the sound of running water filled the cozy kitchen, mingling with our shared laughter as Pedro and I engaged in a playful banter of wits and anecdotes. It had been two days since our hectic work schedules allowed us a respite, coinciding with my parents' temporary absence, leaving us free to enjoy a casual dinner at my place.

Pedro was elbow-deep in soapy water, his sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms glistening with soap suds. I stood beside him, towel in hand, ready to dry each washed dish with meticulous care. Our easy camaraderie had transformed the mundane task of dishwashing into a shared moment of laughter and conversation.

"So you're telling me you know all the Marvel stars?," Pedro nudged teasingly, casting a playful glance in my direction. "I'm so jealous of you."

I chuckled, handing him another plate to wash. "Well, let's just say dinner conversations were never dull," I replied with a grin. "Since I was little I've been going to movie sets with my father, and most of them where Marvel movies."

Pedro's curiosity was palpable as he scrubbed a stubborn spot off a pan. "You really know more actors than I do."

"I guess so," I admitted with a laugh, recalling the myriad of pranks and mishaps that colored my childhood memories. "Mostly The Avengers cast, they are a second family."

Pedro chuckled, his eyes sparkling with genuine interest. "Really?"

"Specially Robert Downey," I recalled fondly, handing Pedro a glass to wash. "He's the most protective, with Scarlett."

He stopped washing for a moment and looked at me. "Scarlett Johansson?," I nodded. "You have to introduce her to me someday."

"Another male fan of Natasha Romanov?," I started drying some dishes.

He denied with a smile. "I've been a fan of that woman since long before she joined Marvel," he confessed. "She's a great actress."

"Yeah, I'm sure she is," I blurted out in mid-grumble.

He cocked his head to the side, raising an eyebrow. "Are you jealous?," he asked but I didn't answer. "Are you really jealous of a woman who wouldn't even talk to me?," I ignored him turning to put the dishes away in the cupboard.

I heard the faucet being turned off and suddenly wet hands cornered me against the counter. "You're wet."

"I am," he whispered in my ear with a husky voice, making my stomach tingle. "Now tell me how a girl as beautiful as you can be jealous of Scarlett."

I whirled on myself. "Are you calling Scarlett ugly?" I pointed at him.

He snatched the rag out of my hand. "You're not making this easy on me missy," he looked at me silently for a few seconds, until he drew a mischievous smile with his lips. "I'll take it upon myself to prove to you that you are a goddess, and that you have no one to compare to you," he said as he tied my wrists together with the cloth.

"What are you doing?," I tried to pull away, but he had made the knot so perfect that I couldn't move my hands. With his hands under my ass he helped me to sit on the countertop.

Once he finished his task, he grabbed my hands with one of his and pulled them over my head, causing a slight groan of surprise to come out of me. "Trust me."

He slowly bit his lower lip while his intense gaze observed every detail of my face, going from my eyes, to my lips.

"Pedro... ," I whispered noticing my heart racing.

He brought his face closer to mine until it was barely brushing my lips. "What's wrong baby?," he asked but I couldn't get the words out.

I crossed my legs as I felt my area began to get wet, and that's without Pedro touching me.