His Territory

9

Cristian dropped me off at my apartment after the grocery store in a rush, barely saying a word before speeding away.

"I'll be back. Stay inside, lock everything, and close your curtains." He gripped the back of my neck, pulling me in for a quick kiss on the forehead, his lips lingering just a little too long.

I unpacked the groceries slowly, trying to use the task to distract myself from what had just happened. But the memory of the encounter with the Bendito at the store gnawed at me, leaving me unsettled. I managed to cook a small dinner—chicken and veggies—enough for both Cristian and me, if he ever came back.

"If he comes back..." my inner voice chimed in, adding to my growing anxiety. The thought of something happening to him while he was handling whatever business he had to handle churned my stomach, killing what little appetite I had left. I packed the food into containers and slumped onto the couch, waiting.

The sun dipped lower behind the curtains, casting the room into darkness. It was nearly 9 PM, and Cristian still hadn't returned. I tried to shake off my worry—he was a grown man, fully capable of taking care of himself. Why was I so concerned?

"Because you like him," my mind whispered, unhelpfully. I shook my head, trying to dismiss the thought. I wasn't going to fall for another dangerous man. Not again.

I stood from the couch, deciding to take a long shower to wash away the tension. In the bathroom, I caught my reflection in the mirror. I looked healthier than I had in months. My skin had regained its color, the dark circles under my eyes were gone, and there were no bruises marking my face. I almost felt... lucky.

I turned on the shower, adjusting the dial until the water ran warm. But just as I began to undress, loud banging echoed through the hallway. The heavy knocks rattled the front door, sending a jolt of fear through me. I froze, listening intently as the pounding came again, harder this time.

Swallowing my panic, I crept out of the bathroom and into the hallway. The knocks came again, followed by a familiar voice.

"Lucia, please!"

Cristian. His voice was muffled but unmistakable. Without thinking, I rushed to the door, unlocking it and swinging it open. He stumbled inside, slamming the door behind him, locking it swiftly. His back pressed against the door, his chest heaving as if he'd been running.

For a moment, he just stood there, head hanging, catching his breath. Then he looked up at me, his eyes intense, but something in his gaze softened as they swept over me.

That's when I realized I was standing there in just my bra and jeans. A wave of self-consciousness hit me, and I quickly wrapped my arms around my torso.

Cristian stepped forward, closing the distance between us. His hands cupped my face, his fingers tangling in my hair as he studied me with an almost desperate look.

"Diosa," he breathed, his voice rough and low. His gaze lingered on my lips before he leaned in, capturing them in a kiss that sent a shock through my entire body. His lips moved against mine with a tender passion I wasn't prepared for, and for a moment, I froze.

I didn't want to give in—I didn't want him to think he could control me. But my body had other ideas. I melted into his embrace, my arms instinctively wrapping around his neck, pulling him closer.

Cristian's arm tightened around my waist, pressing my body flush against his. His fingers gripped my hair with more force as he deepened the kiss, his mouth commanding and possessive. I moaned softly into the kiss, my nails grazing the skin of his back.

Before I could protest, he lifted me off the ground, my legs wrapping around his waist as he pressed me against the wall. His lips trailed down my neck, his breath hot against my skin. I felt his hands kneading my hips, his touch rough, but deliberate.

When he bit my lower lip, pulling it gently between his teeth, a low moan escaped me, and I felt him smile against my neck. But just as quickly as the moment escalated, he pulled back, locking eyes with me.

"Dios mío, hermosa," he whispered, his voice hoarse with restraint. "If I keep going, I won't be able to stop."

His hands slid from my hips, gently lowering me back to the floor. He placed a soft kiss on my lips before pulling away completely.

I stood there, catching my breath, still dazed from the intensity of what had just happened. Cristian watched me, his expression unreadable.

"I'm sorry if I caught you off guard," he said, rubbing his temples as if trying to regain control. "I planned on kissing you, but... seeing you like that... I couldn't resist."

I nodded, still speechless. My body was trembling, not just from the kiss, but from the vulnerability I felt.

Cristian walked into the living room, rummaging through something before returning with my phone. He handed it to me and gestured for me to unlock it. I complied, too overwhelmed to care what he was doing.

He quickly opened my contacts, his eyebrows furrowing as he scrolled. "Where's everyone? Your friends?"

"I didn't tell anyone I was leaving," I shrugged. "I didn't want anyone to find me."

He nodded, his expression neutral. Without another word, he added his number to my phone under the name "Mi Alma" and handed it back to me.

"Fitting, don't you think? You don't just have my body, my mind, or my heart. You have all of me."

I couldn't help but smirk, despite the overwhelming tension. "It's cute, I guess," I said, slipping my phone into my pocket. "But I need to remind you—this doesn't mean we're together."

Cristian grinned, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "Not yet, amorcito."

Rolling my eyes, I headed toward the bathroom, finally ready for that shower. Just as I reached the door, I remembered how Cristian had barged in earlier.

"Hey," I called over my shoulder. "Want to tell me why you came in like a madman?"

I started unzipping my jeans when Cristian appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame.

"Oh, right." He said it casually, as if it hadn't been important. "We were handling some things and had to move quickly. By the way, I'll be staying here tonight."

My hands froze on my zipper. "That's fine. The couch is more comfortable than it looks."

I shut the bathroom door in his face, finally getting the alone time I desperately needed.

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Diosa- Goddess

Dios mio, hermosa. Si continúo, no podré parar.- Oh my God, beautiful. If I continue, I will not stop.

Mi alma- my soul

Amorcita- love

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I didn't get a chance to edit this yet so please excuse any errors xoxox