Yara |18+|

22

VICO

With my hand in Yara's, she led me to her bedroom and I followed behind her.

It was late—really late. Are we sleeping here? I didn't want to ask, but Yara pushed her door open and welcomed me into her bedroom as if we were there to stay.

She let go of my hand and began undressing, starting with the button on her jeans. She sighed, moving onto her socks until she stood in nothing but a t-shirt on her body. I looked around her room, finding too much interest in her safe haven.

The colours were light, the opposite of the clothes she always wore. A massive King sized bed laid in the middle, surrounded by a white headboard and pale pink bedding. It was a room I didn't expect, but it felt like her and smelled like her.

The plants around her room didn't go unnoticed too. I could see they were well loved.

"Tired?" I asked, running my hand over her hair. It had been a long night, and as much as I wanted to spend every waken moment with her, I needed her to sleep and get some rest.

"Very," she breathed, staring up at me with those low, tired eyes.

Unable to stray my gaze from her, I reached for the front of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. I loved doing that. Not only because it exposed her pretty face, but the little diamond earring in her lobe was so beautiful on her.

She grinned, surprising me with a quick kiss on the back of my hand. My smile widened, amazed by how effortless it was for her to have my heart pounding.

Even in the face of death, I could control myself more than I could around her.

"Wanna get some sleep?" I asked, my voice soft.

The urge to be gentle with her was strong. I wanted to ask if she was still hungry, or if she needed anything. The urge to tend to her nearly took over me, but I took a figurative step back and told myself not to bombard her.

Yara was a strong woman. On one hand, I wanted to care for her. On the other hand, I didn't know if she'd want me to. Am I going crazy? My mind was all over the place, and my feelings for her were confusing.

Where is all of this going? I know I wanted her. I know I'd wring another man's neck if he tried her. The thought alone almost hiked up my blood pressure but quickly forgetting about it, I looked at her bed and couldn't get over how inviting it looked.

"Let's sleep?" she asked, nudging her head to her bed.

Let's sleep.

"Yes," I said, knowing that falling asleep next to her was all I wanted. If she wanted to sleep—that is. I'd do anything she wanted. Yara grinned, tugging at my clothes and I was quick to raise a brow at her.

"Off," she said, her tone filled with finality.

Not hesitating, I started undressing myself. "Do you have an extra toothbrush for me?"

She nodded. "In the cupboard under the sink."

Making my way to her en-suite, I heard her following behind me. It didn't take long for us to be done brushing our teeth and in no time, we were getting into her bed.

I sighed once my head hit the pillow, her scent engulfing me before her arms did and I let out another slow, contented breath.

Staring up at her ceiling, Yara laid her head on my chest and draped her leg over my own, pushing her skin against mine and I believe it must have been the best part of spending the night with her.

Just feeling her.

Just two people in the same bed with no intention of taking it further. I liked it—a concerning amount.

"Do you know how long I've wanted to do this," I murmured, running a soft hand over her head.

"What?"

"Just sleep with you," I whispered, not caring that I was being vulnerable and open with her. But it was the truth.

Falling asleep next to someone was the ultimate sign of trust. She toyed with the chain around my neck, listening to me speak. I played with her hair, staring at the ceiling as I thought about all the ways I could make Yara mine. Mine to care for—or protect.

I needed her, and she didn't even know it. This woman had no idea that she had me in the palm of her hand. I held her tightly, almost as if she were the reason life was being breathed back into me.

"Do you want to work with me?" I asked, breaking the silence and almost slapping myself for even asking that question.

She wanted out, and that's why she was in that mess in the first place. And there I was, asking that she returned to the business. It made sense in my head, but saying it out loud didn't.

All I could think about the protection she'd get from all my men if it meant she was my partner. Mario couldn't touch her—none of his people could, and it was the only thing running through my mind.

She'd be untouchable. The most important person in our organisation. But again, the dangers that would inevitable come her way was another concern on its own.

Yara paused, her hand stilling around my chain. "With you?"

"Forget it, mama," I whispered, tracing my thumb over her cheek. "It was just a question."

"Wait," she propped herself up onto her elbows, her stomach pressed against the mattress and she looked at me with intrigued eyes. "What do you mean work with you? Work for you?"

"No," I shook my head. "With me. But-"

"Vico," she interrupted, giving me a stern look. "You can't say something and then backtrack two seconds later."

"I know, I know," I sighed, realising my mistake was thinking for her. "Can we talk about this tomorrow?"

She nodded, smiling before pecking me on my chest. "Yeah, I'm about to fall asleep anyway."

"Goodnight, baby," I whispered, kissing her on the top of her head.

"Goodnight, baby," she repeated, and I let out a little chuckle at her words.

We laid like that until I heard her breathing even out, slowing down while her arm around my stomach went slack. She had fallen asleep quicker than I thought she would, but I looked down at her face and smiled at her peaceful, unbothered expression.

Listening to her shallow breaths, I let sleep overcome me with nothing but Yara on my mind.

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