#dea agent

“I’m sorry, Agent Morgan,” Eduardo said softly. “It is out of my hands.”

“Thank you for coming to see us, Mr. Sandoval,” Noonan told him. The four of them quietly left the ambassador’s office. Before they got too far, Eduardo grasped Ari’s hand and pulled her to the side.

“I’m truly sorry,” he told her gently. “Believe me, I want this deal even less than you do, but the president has made up his mind.”

“I understand,” she said. “I know you don’t have the final say in any of this.” He grasped her hand.

“I’m really glad I got to see you again,” he said, rubbing his thumb along the back of her hand. “I’ve thought about you often since our last meeting.”

“Really?” She said. She was so confused by his words she didn’t even notice he was still holding her hand. “I didn’t realize I made an impression on you.” He chuckled.

“Of course you did. You’re intelligent, tough, and the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. You made an impression.” Part of her felt uncomfortable with his attention, but another part of her silently preened over the compliments.

“Thank you,” she said. Javi and Steve stood in front of them, watching the exchange. Javi’s jaw was clenched, and Steve could feel the anger radiating off of him.

“Calm down, buddy,” Steve said in a low voice. “You don’t want the heat that comes with punching the Vice Minister of Justice in the face.”

“We won’t have a problem if he takes his fucking hands off her,” Javier ground out. Steve whistled low.

“You got it bad, man,” he chuckled.

“Shut up, Murphy,” Javier growled. “She’s our partner. We shouldn’t let some asshole paw her like that.”

“Javi,” Steve said with a laugh, “he’s not ‘pawing’ her. He’s barely even holding her hand.” They could hear Eduardo asking her out to dinner. She quickly glanced over at them. Javi could tell she was uncomfortable.

“Sorry,” Javier said, walking up to them. “She’s having dinner with us tonight. Got some work stuff to go over.” Ari nodded quickly.

“Yes,” she said apologetically. “That’s right. I have plans. But thank you.”

“Another time then,” Eduardo said, placing a light kiss on her knuckles before departing. Javier clenched his fists by his side.

“Thanks,” she whispered to Javi. He smiled at her.

“Any time, baby,” he whispered back. They started walking back to their office.

“So, we have a dinner date?” Steve said cheekily.

“I mean, I’m free tonight if you guys are,” Ari said, returning his smile.

“Oh, so you are available,” Steve drawled out. “I can run after Sandoval and let him know.”

“Shut the fuck up, Murphy,” Ari groaned. Javier laughed.

“You don’t like him?” Steve asked genuinely.

“It’s not that I don’t like him,” she began. “I don’t really know him.”

“Well, generally, that’s what dating is for,” Steve told her. “You get to know the person you go out with.”

“Yeah,” she admitted, “but I don’t think it’s a good idea to date someone we work with. What if it ended badly? Or if he was a total fucking weirdo in bed? I’d have to face him all the time. Too awkward and uncomfortable.”

“You think he’d be a weirdo in bed?” Murphy said, his eyebrows raised.

“Jesus,” she huffed. “I have absolutely no idea what he is like in bed, and I’d like to keep it that way for now.”

“For now?” Javi said quietly, his stomach dropping. Ari looked at him. Steve saw his barely concealed anger.

“I mean, never say never, right?” She said with a shrug. Eduardo was a catch, and she’d be crazy to write him off completely in her mind. She knew this thing with Javier would eventually crash and burn spectacularly. Steve laughed, and Javi felt anger boil in his gut.

“That’s my girl,” Steve said, deciding to play with fire. “Gotta keep options in your back pocket for when ya need to get fucked.”

“She’s not fucking Sandoval,” Javi said through clenched teeth.

“Not yet,” Steve said with a smirk. He knew exactly what he was doing. He hoped riling Javi up would get him to examine the way he felt about their partner.

“Leave it alone, Steve,” Ari warned. She wondered why Javi was acting the way he was. First with Carrillo’s men, now Sandoval. If she didn’t know any better she would have thought he was jealous…which was crazy and completely hypocritical of him. He made it very clear that they were not in a relationship. Shit, he was still fucking half of Colombia.

But still, he was jealous…so maybe he felt more for her than he let on. Maybe he was just broken and unsure how to be vulnerable with someone. She suppressed a sigh. It didn’t matter anyway. Javi would come around or he wouldn’t. There was nothing she could do. Besides, she really had no intention of sleeping with Eduardo. Sure, he was handsome and smart and sweet, and if she was in a different situation, she may have considered his offer...but she only had eyes for her stubborn, asshole of a partner, even if he did not return the sentiment.

They had returned to their office at that point. They settled at their desks and got back to work. Ariana kept feeling Javi’s eyes on her for the rest of the day. Every time she looked up she met his intense gaze. She felt unsettled the entire day. There was so much tension in the air, she could barely breathe. Finally, it was time to go home. She quickly shuffled her paperwork together and grabbed her things.

“Still wanna grab dinner tonight?” Steve asked her as she pushed away from her desk.

“Yeah,” she told him hurriedly. “Just come get me whenever Connie gets home,” she murmured, standing up. She vaguely heard Javi agree to dinner as she made her way to the door. With a mumbled goodbye, she fled the embassy and went home. She had only been in the apartment ten minutes when there was a knock on her door. She looked through the peephole to see Javier. She took a deep breath and opened the door. He was on her immediately. He grabbed her and kissed her passionately, slamming the door closed as he pushed her up against it.

“Fuck, querida,” he groaned against her lips. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you all fucking day. Wanted to pull you into the goddamn supply closet and fuck your brains out.”

“Why didn’t you?” Ari murmured. He pulled back and looked at her with wide eyes.

“Y-You’d be ok with that?” He asked, shock written all over his handsome face.

“I told you,” she replied, threading her fingers through the hair at the back of his head, “the first time we fucked. You can take me wherever, whenever, however you want. And I meant it, Javi. Believe me, I crave you just as much as you crave me, baby.” Javi groaned and kissed her, his tongue licking deep into her mouth. He pushed his knee between her thighs, one hand coming up to grab the back of her neck, the other sliding down to grip tightly to her ass.

He slid her against his thigh, and Ari moaned at the friction. He kissed her passionately and ground her sex against his firm thigh.

“Can you come like this, baby?” He asked huskily, rocking her against his thigh. Ari nodded. “Good. Let’s start there. Then I’m gonna take you to bed and fuck you for the rest of the damn night.”

“Sounds good to me,” Ari whimpered as she rubbed herself against him shamelessly. He sucked a mark on the side of her neck. He knew that would be a bitch to coverup, but he wanted it there. He wanted every asshole who looked at her to know she belonged to him. The next time Sandoval held her hand and asked her out to dinner, he would see the marks Javi left behind. The thought of Sandoval made Javi growl angrily. A memory tickled at the back of his mind, trying desperately to break through the feral haze of lust that had consumed him most of the day.

“Shit,” Javi swore when he remembered. They had dinner plans with the Murphys. As if on cue, the door shook as someone banged loudly on it. Ari yelped in surprise. Javi lifted his head from her neck and looked into her eyes.

“Hey, Ari,” Steve called from the other side of the door. “Connie’s home. Want to head out in ten?” Ari pushed Javi back a few feet from the door.

“Yeah,” she called out.

“Cool,” I’ll let Javi know,” he said turning to bang on Javi’s door. Both their eyes widened.

“Fuck,” Ari whispered. Javi looked around as they heard Steve knock on his door again.

“Hey, Jav!” He shouted. “You in there?” Javi straightened his clothes and grabbed the first thing he saw off Ari’s table—a bottle of whiskey. He opened the door wide, surprising Steve, who turned to face Javi…in Ari’s apartment.

“Calm down, pendejo,” Javi grumbled. “I heard you.”

“What are you doing at Ari’s?” Steve asked slyly. Javi held up the brand new bottle of whiskey.

“Brought this over to her,” he explained casually. “I polished off her last bottle, so I was replacing it.” Steve stared at him for a long, quiet minute. Then he shrugged.

“Cool,” he said simply. “Well, if you’re still up for dinner, meet out here in ten.” Javi nodded, handed a very flustered Ari the bottle, and walked to his door.

“Just let me change outta this suit,” Javi said as he unlocked his door. “Then I’ll be good to go.” He went into his apartment, closing the door quietly.

“You alright, Ari?” Steve asked. She was standing in her doorway clutching the bottle of whiskey and staring after Javi looking like a deer in headlights. Steve’s question snapped her out of her trance.

“Yeah,” she said quickly. “All good. Just gotta change too…see you in a few.” She practically slammed the door in his face in her hurry. She leaned against the door and sighed. Her heart was racing. They needed to be more careful. A couple minutes later and Steve would have heard her coming on Javi’s thigh up against the door. She needed to talk to Javi tonight. They were getting careless. She set the whiskey back down on the table, grateful for Javi’s quick thinking, and rushed to her room to change clothes, and put about a pound of coverup on the bruise blossoming on her neck.

A half hour later they were seated at the table in the restaurant. It was the same place Steve and Connie had taken Javi to introduce him to Elisa. Javi felt a tug of regret as he thought of Elisa. His brief fling with the pretty communist had come really close to ruining his friendship with Ari. Javi couldn’t imagine if things had gone differently…if Ari had shut herself off from him. She was so deeply ingrained in his life, he could not fathom a life without her in it.

Steve and Connie sat next to each other, across from Javi and Ari. The little girl they had rescued was seated on the side of the table between Ari and Connie. Javi glanced at his partner and wished he could sit even closer to her. Fuck, he wished he could pull her into his lap and kiss her senseless. He wondered if he would ever have enough of her. If he would ever stop craving her. He doubted it. She had burrowed her way into him like no one had before.

He knew it wasn’t fair to her when he got jealous. He had not made a commitment to her. He had no right to be possessive or envious. She was a strong, independent woman, and she had every right to sleep with any man she wanted to. Unless he was willing to commit to her officially, she was free to do whatever—and whoever—she wanted. He knew all this…but it didn’t make a difference. He couldn’t stop the rage that flowed through him when he saw another man admiring her charms.

“Javi?” Connie’s voice cut through his thoughts.

“Hmm?” He asked, clearly not paying attention to the conversation. He vaguely recalled Ari asking Connie about the baby, but after that he was lost in his thoughts.

“I asked how work is going,” Connie laughed lightly. “You seem a bit distracted tonight.”

“Sorry,” Javi apologized. “Rough day.” Steve and Ari both nodded as they thought about the meeting with Sandoval.

“Steve told me,” Connie said sympathetically. “I can’t believe they’re just going to give in to his demands.”

“Not much else to do at this point,” Steve said gruffly. “Gaviria wants peace, and this is the only way he thinks that will happen.” The DEA agents frowned.

“Well,” Connie said suddenly, “let’s not dwell on that tonight.” They nodded in agreement. “So, Javi, seeing anyone special?” Javier was grateful he had swallowed his drink right before Connie asked, otherwise he may have spit it across the table.

“No,” Javi said calmly. “Just the usual girls.” He felt Ari tense slightly next to him. She knew he couldn’t come clean about them, but it still stung to hear him say that.

“How about you, Ari?” Connie turned to her friend. Ari shook her head. “Really? Why not? You haven’t been on a date with anyone since you moved here. Steve told me a handsome guy in the president’s office asked you out today…why don’t you go on a date with him?” Ari shifted uncomfortably.

“He’s, uh, not really my type,” Ari said after a moment.

“What?” Steve asked. “Tall, handsome, smart, and successful isn’t your type?”

“Not really,” Ari continued.

“Ah, so that’s why you’ve never hit on me,” Steve teased. The four of them laughed at his stupid joke.

“What is your type?” Connie asked. Javi sat forward a bit, eager to hear her answer. Ari shot him a withering look, pissed he couldn’t help get her out of this uncomfortable line of questioning.

“I don’t know,” Ari said vaguely.

“Well, then how do you know Sandoval isn’t your type?” Steve asked innocently.

“I don’t know,” Ari said raking her hand through her hair. “I’m just not interested in him, alright?”

“Alright, alright,” Steve placated. “Just seems to me like you’d wanna get laid. It’s been a while.”

“How do you know how long it’s been?” Ari asked him with a scowl.

“Well, at least since you’ve been in Colombia,” Steve answered. “Like Connie said, you haven’t been on any dates.”

“Don’t need to go out on a date to get fucked,” Ari said, sitting back in her seat. Connie laughed and high fived her.

“That’s my girl,” Connie said.

“Oh, so you just go around fucking random guys now?” Steve asked incredulously.

“So what if I do?” Ari asked.

“That’s fine,” Steve said, “except I know you…and based off previous conversations, I highly doubt that’s what you’re doing. So, yeah, been a while since you got laid.” Steve paused and stared her down for a minute. “Unless of course, you are fucking someone, and you just don’t want any of us to know about it.” Ari swallowed, schooling her features to give nothing away.

“Whatever you want to think, Murphy,” she said evenly.

“Ah ha!” Steve exclaimed with a smug smile. He sat back in his seat. “I knew it! So you are fucking someone! And it’s a secret…so that means it’s gotta be really good! Ho ho! I wonder who it is.” Javi noticed Steve’s eyes slide over to him for the briefest of moments. He kept his face neutral, not wanting to give anything away. That damn hillbilly saw way more than people gave him credit for.

“Oh!” Connie called out excitedly. “Tell me! Tell me!”

“Oh my god,” Ari groaned. “There’s nothing to tell.”

“Is it one of the guys from Centra Spike?” Steve guessed. “Or Mil Group? Oh God, don’t tell me it’s one of those assholes from the CIA.”

“Jesus, Murphy,” Ari scowled. “I would never fuck someone from the CIA. Those pricks can fuck themselves. Not me.” Steve and Javi laughed.

“I bet I know who it is,” Connie said quietly. They all turned to her. “It’s Carrillo, isn’t it?”

“What?” Ari asked in shock.

“C’mon,” Connie said. “You guys hang out all the time! He practically worships you. And he’s so dreamy!”

“Connie, honey, he’s married,” Steve reminded her. “Happily married. The colonel and Ari are not the type of people to—wait, Carrillo is dreamy?”

“Oh, yeah,” Connie said nodding her head with a big smirk on her face. “So fucking dreamy. Right?” She turned to Ari.

“Well, I mean, yeah, he’s handsome,”Ari agreed reluctantly.

“You think Carrillo’s handsome?” Javi cut in. She turned to see that fire back in his eyes.

“Well, of course,” Ari said calmly. “You’d have to be a blind idiot to think otherwise. But I don’t look at him that way.” She turned to Connie. “Horacio is my best friend…I mean, yeah, he’s hot as hell, but I don’t have those types of feelings for him.”

“You should,” Connie said with a slight pout. “I bet he’s amazing in bed!” Everyone knew Connie was just teasing. She would never suggest Ari break up someone’s marriage.

“Jesus Christ, woman!” Steve exclaimed. “What’s gotten into you tonight?” Connie shrugged and giggled. “Ari is not fucking Carrillo…and we are no longer discussing how ‘hot’ he is or wondering how good he is in bed. And I swear to God, if I hear even one whisper about the size of his dick…” Ari choked on her drink.

“For the record,” Ari addressed the table, “I have never seen—nor do I have any plans of seeing—Carrillo’s dick.”

“Same goes for me—though I’m sure it’s fabulous,” Javi said with a laugh and downed the rest of his whiskey. Ari laughed and fell against his side, resting her head on his shoulder for a moment while she giggled. Javi smiled down at her gorgeous, smiling face. Neither one of them noticed the knowing look the couple across from them shared.

The waitress came to the table, and Ari sat up again. They gave their food orders, and a comfortable silence fell over the table. Ari was playing peekaboo with the baby, and Connie was watching her closely.

“Something on your mind, Connie?” Ari asked her.

“Do you want kids?” Connie blurted out.

“What?” Ari was surprised by the question.

“Do you want kids?” Connie asked again. “You’re really good with her…just made me wonder if it’s something you want in the future.” Javi straightened uncomfortably in his seat.

“I don’t know,” Ari said quietly. She was looking at the baby with a small smile on her face. “I never really thought about it. I’m not opposed to it…given the right circumstances.” Connie nodded.

Javi felt…weird. He thought about Ari swelling with a baby…his baby. Fuck, where did that come from? Javi knew he would be a shit dad and had no intention of impregnating anyone. Then why the hell did the thought of Ari having his baby make him as hard as a rock. He shifted and discreetly adjusted himself under the table. He assumed it was that fucking possessive streak she brought out in him. Her stomach round with his child would be the ultimate claim on her. Everyone would know she was his. He shook those thoughts out of his head. That would never happen.

Dinner continued uneventfully. The four friends had fun and shared many laughs, and the baby was adorable and well behaved.

“I was so worried bringing her out tonight,” Connie said. “I’m amazed she’s doing so well.”

“She’s a great baby,” Ari said, brushing her hand over the soft curls on the baby’s head. “Any idea what you’re going to do?”

“She doesn’t any family,” Connie said sadly. “I don’t know…I just don’t know what’s going to happen.” They finished up dinner and Steve drove them all back to the apartment building. Normally they would have gone out for drinks, but the baby needed to get to bed. Javi was glad for that. He couldn’t wait any longer to have Ari. They said their goodbye’s at the stairs.

“Sleep well, little angel,” Ari cooed at the sweet little girl curled up against Steve’s chest. She hugged Connie. “See you soon?” Connie nodded.

“Ari,” Connie said quietly. “You really should think about Eduardo’s offer. I…I just want you to be happy.” She squeezed Ari’s hand and the Murphy’s went upstairs to settle in for the night. Ari stared after them, not sure where that came from. Javi seethed next to her. Fucking Sandoval. Again. Javi was worried Ari would consider his offer…and start a relationship with him. Suddenly it all became too much and Javi grabbed Ari and crashed his lips onto hers. Ari kissed him back before common sense took over.

“Wait, wait, wait,” Ari said, pushing him back slightly. “Javi we have to be more careful. Steve almost caught us today. We’re getting reckless.”

“I don’t give a shit,” Javi said, chasing her mouth with his. He kissed her deeply.

“I do,” Ari told him when he pulled back for air. “I care about people finding out. Javi this could ruin our careers…” Javi stared at her.

“Do you want to end this, querida?” He asked with apprehension.

“No!” Ari answered quickly. “Definitely not. Let’s just be more careful, alright?”

“Alright,” Javi agreed. He pulled her to her apartment, and she unlocked the door. She barely got the door closed and locked before he was on her again.

“I waited all day for this,” Javi moaned against her lips. “I was hard the entire fucking time at dinner. Just thinking about what I wanted to do to you.” Ari moaned and pushed her hips against him, desperate for friction. They knew this would be quick, both too wound up for it to last long. Javi gripped her ass and hauled her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him as he walked them into her bedroom.

He lay her down on the bed and settled between her thighs. He pressed down against her core as he kissed her deeply. He pulled back and began tearing at their clothes. He was frantic. He had to claim her now. In seconds they were naked and Javi dove between her thighs. He lapped at her clit mercilessly.

“Fuck, Javi!” Ari squealed. She was almost dizzy at how quickly he had moved. He ate her out savagely, shoving three fingers inside her and sucking on her clit. “Shit, fuck, oh my god!” Her orgasm crashed into her violently.

“That’s it, baby,” Javi murmured against her. “Only I know your pussy this well. I’m the only one who can make you come this hard…Fuck you taste so good when you come!” He continued his passionate assault on her pussy. He pushed her passed overstimulation and into the next wave of pleasure. “You got another one for me? Hmm? C’mon, sweet girl, I know you can do it.” Ari sobbed as another mind numbing orgasm washed over her. “Yes…perfect. My beautiful, perfect girl.” Before she even had the chance to fully come down from her high, Javi removed his fingers and grabbed his stiff cock. He swiped it through her folds and plunged into her in one, harsh thrust.

“Javi!” Ari called out feverishly.

“Fuck, you feel so good wrapped around me, querida,” Javi moaned. He didn’t take any time before he began thrusting hard into her welcoming body. “You drive me fucking crazy, you know that? Every guy wants you. Every. Fucking. One. Makes me want to smash their goddamn heads in. Watching them pant after you…thinking they have a fucking chance. You’re mine.” He growled possessively. Air raised her hand to his cheek

“Javi,” she whispered, a slight break in her voice. The gentleness broke through Javi’s feral fog, and he slowed his thrusts to look down at her. “It’s ok, baby…I’m here, and I’m yours. You’re the one in my bed. You’re the one inside of me.” Javi groaned and kissed her deeply. “No one else matters,” she whispered against his lips. “It’s just you Javi…always been just you.”

He kissed her again and resumed his furious pace. Emotions he didn’t recognize—or want to examine—threatened to overwhelm him. So Javi did what he did best when running from his feelings; he fucked them away. He pounded his frustration and his fear and his loneliness into the gorgeous woman beneath him, silently wishing her love could fix all the broken parts of him and make him whole once more.

He sucked and bit and licked his way across her neck, chest, and breasts. He left marks everywhere he could. He couldn’t help it. He felt that primal urge to claim. She assured him she was his…but he needed to see the evidence. He needed to look across his desk tomorrow and see the faint marks carefully—though not completely—covered by makeup. He needed her to feel him for days…every time she moved, her muscles throbbing with a dull ache…his spend slowly leaking out of her because he came so deep inside her cunt. He needed to hear her scream his name, knowing he was the only one who could make her feel this good.

He slapped his hips violently against her as his tongue plunged into her mouth. He pinched her clit between his thick fingers and she tore her mouth from his to keen loudly. She clenched around him so tightly he couldn’t move. He thrust desperately against her, trying to fuck her through her orgasm.

She was gripping him too tight…he wouldn’t last. When she cried out his name in absolute ecstasy, he lost control. He pushed as deep inside her as he possibly could and shouted as he emptied himself deep, deep inside her. His mind once again flashed to those forbidden thoughts of his seed taking root…of claiming her in every way a man could.

“Mine,” he growled. His vision went dark around the edges—his orgasm overwhelming. His body shook and then collapsed on top of Ari.

She wrapped her arms around him and he gripped her tightly. He didn’t want to let her go. He nuzzled into her neck, trailing sweet kisses along her shoulder. He felt so good in her arms…so open…so vulnerable. He stilled when he realized just how vulnerable he felt with her. He rolled off her. He saw his cum starting to leak out of her and he couldn’t stop himself. He pushed it back in with his fingers. He wanted a part of himself to stay inside her. Ari groaned at the contact with her overstimulated cunt.

He sighed at how ridiculous he was being and reached down for his pants. He pulled out his cigarettes and lighter. He lit one up and lay back against her pillows. She propped herself up on her elbow and reached across and grabbed the cigarette out of his mouth. He quirked an eyebrow when she put it to her own lips and took a drag.

“What are you doing, hermosa?” He asked. She coughed as she inhaled the smoke.

“Ugh!” Sputtered disgustedly. “I felt like after that, maybe I needed one…but no thanks! How the hell do you smoke those?”

“You get used to them after awhile,” Javi shrugged. “What do you mean after ‘that’?”

“Javi, you went a bit caveman on me there,” she teased. “Didn’t know a guy asking me out to dinner would get you so worked up.”

“Me either,” Javi grimaced. “I guess I don’t like to share.” Ari laughed.

“Javi,” she chided playfully, “you literally share every woman you sleep with.” Javi thought about it and realized she was right. All the other women he fucked were prostitutes…so, yeah, he definitely ‘shared’ just fine.

Except when it came to Ari.

“Not you,” he said quietly. When she looked confused he added, “I don’t share you.” Ari smiled lovingly.

“No, Javi,” she assured him. “You don’t share me.” She couldn’t resist taunting him just a bit. “For now at least.” He scowled at her. “What? Just because I haven’t found anyone else interesting yet doesn’t mean I won’t.”

“Fucking hell, Ari,” Javi growled. “Are you trying to kill me? There is no way I have the energy to fuck you as hard as I want to right now.” Ari laughed delightedly.

“Oh, so is this going to be a regular occurrence?” She asked. “Every time you get a little jealous you’re gonna fuck my brains out?”

“Probably,” Javi said gruffly, taking a deep drag of his cigarette.

“Hmm,” Ari murmured. “Doesn’t give me much incentive to behave myself then. I rather enjoy ‘Caveman Javi’.”

“Don’t test me, querida,” Javi warned.

“Sure, sure,” Ari said with mock sincerity. She cuddled up against his chest. He wrapped his free arm around her. He finished his cigarette and stubbed it out. He pulled her closer.

“I’m sorry about your mom,” he said suddenly. Ari lifted her head and looked at him.

“What?”

“What you told Sandoval today, about your mom,” Javi explained. “I didn’t realize how brutal it was…or that you were the one to find her.” He took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.” He squeezed her tighter. “We’re gonna get this fucker. I promise you.” Ari nuzzled her face into his chest.

“Thanks, Javi,” she whispered. “I know we will.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked tentatively. “Your mom?”

“Maybe one day,” she told him. “But not tonight.”

“Ok, baby,” Javi whispered and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m here whenever you’re ready.” They clung to each other for awhile, neither wanting to let the other go. Finally Javi shifted.

“It’s getting late,” he told her as he sat up. He swung his legs over the side of the bed.

“Stay,” Ari said quietly. Javi shook his head and dressed in his discarded clothes. She grabbed his hand and pulled him back towards her. “Stay.” She ordered again.

“Not tonight, querida,” he murmured as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. He then kissed her sweetly on the lips. “I’ll see you in the morning.” His heart clenched at the sadness in her eyes. “Goodnight.” He walked out into the living room and opened the front door. He barely heard her quiet goodnight before he walked out. He paused in the open doorway, warring with himself. Finally, he locked the door, closed it firmly behind him, and went into his apartment.

Chapter 13

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