Dangerous Desires

52

Later on in the day, it was night and Tenebroso was asleep. The soft glow of the television filled the room as me and Mark lay in bed, snuggled up under the covers. I was still feeling a bit of discomfort from my period, but the heating pad and some mild painkillers had helped to ease the worst of it.

Mark held me close against his side, his arm draped around my shoulders as we both watched the TV. He glanced down at me, his expression caring and affectionate.

"I've been thinking about something," I said quietly.

Mark's attention shifted from the TV to me, his eyes flickering over my face and the serious tone in my voice. He shifted slightly so that he was facing me more fully. "What's on your mind?" He asked, his voice low and gentle.

"I was thinking that I should get adoption letters for you to become Tenebroso's real Dad," I looked up at him, trying to see his reaction.

Mark's eyebrows rose in surprise at my words, his expression a mix of stunned and touched. He hadn't been expecting this conversation and it took him a moment to process your suggestion. "You want me to adopt him?" He asked, his voice soft and filled with a hint of disbelief.

Mark's heart swelled with a mix of emotions at my eager nod, a wave of tenderness and something deeper washing over him. He took a moment to collect his thoughts, his fingers gently tracing patterns on my shoulder as he spoke. "Are you sure about this?" He asked, his eyes searching my face for any hint of doubt.

"I'm sure but only if you are," I replied.

Mark could see the determination and conviction in my eyes, and he knew that I was serious about this. He took a deep breath, his thoughts racing. "Of course I'm sure," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I love Tenebroso like he's my own. But are you sure you're ready for that kind of commitment? It's a big step."

Mark noticed the shift in my demeanour, my sudden silence concerning him. He gently nudged me, his voice soft and coaxing. "Hey," he said, "Talk to me. What's going on in that head of yours?"

"I know I can't force Arsenio to be out of my head for good, I just thought the adoption was what you might like," I looked down.

Mark's heart ached as he heard my words, the mention of Arsenio bringing a pang of possessiveness and protectiveness to his chest. But he pushed those feelings aside, knowing that this was about me and my feelings. 

"Babe," he said softly, his fingers gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "I don't care if you have thoughts of him in your head. I know you're going through a lot right now. I just want to make sure you're ready for this for you, not for me."

"I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't ready," I replied.

Mark's expression softened as he heard my firm words, my certainty and determination reassuring him. He knew me well enough to know that I didn't say things lightly and that I had truly put thought into this. "Okay," he said, his voice filled with tenderness. "Then let's do it."

"And I have one more thing," I said gently.

Mark raised an eyebrow at my words, a hint of curiosity in his expression. "What's that?" He asked, his fingers tracing gentle circles on my upper arm.

"I was thinking... that I should get adoption papers for Antonio. For him to be my Dad..." I said nervously.

Mark's eyes widened slightly at my suggestion, his mind struggling to process what he had just heard. The thought of Antonio - gruff, stoic, and sometimes intimidating - adopting me as his daughter was not something he had anticipated. He was silent for a few moments, his fingers stilling on my arm as his brain worked overtime to process this information.

"You want Antonio to adopt you?" He finally asked, his voice soft and filled with a mixture of surprise and a hint of wariness. "As in, legally and officially become your father?" I nodded at his question.

Mark's mind was whirring with thoughts, trying to make sense of this unexpected development. He knew Antonio well enough to know that the older man was not exactly the most nurturing or affectionate type. He cared about me, that was clear, but adopting me seemed like a huge step for someone like him. He took a deep breath, his fingers gently resuming their movement on my arm. "Why Antonio?" he asked, gently.

I looked at his face "Never mind," I turned over and pulled the blanket over me "Goodnight,".

Mark's heart ached at my sudden withdrawal, my quick dismissal of the conversation leaving him a little disoriented. He could sense the hint of vulnerability and perhaps a touch of hurt in my tone. He leaned over, gently coaxing me back around to face him. He couldn't let me shut him out, not like this. "Hey," he said softly, his eyes searching my face in the dim light. "What's going on? Talk to me."

"I just want to go to sleep," I said quietly.

Mark leaned back slightly, giving me some space but not breaking his gaze. He could sense there was more to my request than just wanting to sleep, but he knew better than to push too much. "Alright," he said gently, gripping his hair. "But can you at least tell me one thing?"

"What is it?"

Mark paused for a moment, his eyes flickering over my face as he chose his words carefully. "Are you upset with me?" He asked, his voice soft and filled with a hint of vulnerability. "For not being thrilled at the idea of Antonio adopting you?"

"I hate when people get jealous over anything I do, that is what you're doing and Arsenio did the same thing," I looked at him. "I chose you and I love you so don't act like him,".