26. Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Matías Moreno

C attleya's game is tomorrow, and I'm at the construction site having an internal dilemma about whether to quit today or wait until Monday.

My mind goes to my last appointment with Dr. Sosa. I was finally able to get to the root of my anxiety. The moment it clicked in my brain, I was able to see everything crystal clear.

"Tell me, Matías. How has it been sharing your life with a high-profile person like Cata Cardona? How does all the attention she attracts make you feel?" Dr. Sosa's question catches me by surprise. I've never thought about Cattleya as a celebrity, even though she is. Maybe it's because we haven't really hung out like a normal couple, and most of our time together if not all, has been in her apartment.

"To be completely honest, Cattleya is just Cattleya in my eyes. Not the soccer superstar she is to others. Even though I'm completely and utterly in love with everything that she is, at the end of the day, she's just my amazing woman." Dr. Sosa takes notes on her little pad, and then she smiles, and I relax a little—I feel like I'm taking a test or something.

"So if you're comfortable with someone, your anxiety doesn't get triggered. Do you think you can use that to your advantage?" Dr. Sosa asks, and my brows furrow in question.

"Yes, what would happen if every time you see your anxiety rising, you think about the person in the situation as Cata? As someone you trust and know for a fact isn't judging you?" My brows rise to the sky now.

"I mean, Cattleya is Cattleya. No one has ever made me feel the way she does. Maybe that's why I'm so at ease with her."

Dr. Sosa nods at my response. "True, but have you ever thought that you have more people in your corner than you realize? You've mentioned your friends who are like brothers to you. How about your parents? Are you close to them?" I nod my head but don't make eye contact with her.

"Oh, is there anything we should discuss regarding your parents?"

I keep my gaze trained on the floor as I contemplate how to talk about this.

"I mean, what can I say? They're my parents. They love me," I answer, my gaze still not reaching Dr. Sosa.

"As much as parents love us, they can also hurt us too. Sometimes even without realizing it." I take a deep breath, really internalizing her words. I know that my parents love me, I know they do. They've shown me time and again that they have my back.

"You're right, Dr. Sosa. As much as we love each other, my relationship with my father hasn't been easy. He's always trying to push me to my limits. Since I was little, he's always expected me to be the best, to be perfect, to not break down in front of others. He has always said that men who express their emotions aren't real men." My voice breaks at the end, and I take a deep breath to keep myself calm.

"Let it all out, Matías. Now it's the time to be vulnerable. Your strength will come from those bottled-up feelings and frustration.

I start nodding my head, assimilating her words and believing them with every single fiber of my being. I'm an adult now, a man with his dream job and his dream girl. What on Earth could I fear now when I have it all?

"You're right, Dr. Sosa. It's time for me to let go of my past and embrace my present and future with everything I've got," I say, believing the words with every passing second. "I know my dad had good intentions but his delivery method wasn't the best. It's time for me to acknowledge that and let it go. I mean, I've made it in life despite my demons. Right?" Dr. Sosa's smile is blinding.

"That's the spirit, Matías. I'm so proud of you. That's all the time we have for today, but let's pick this up next week, same time. You got this."

"Thank you, Dr. Sosa. It means the world to me." I rise from the chair, and go shake her hand. She hugs me instead, and I sigh in relief.

After Samuel met my boss on Wednesday, I knew my days with this company were numbered. I confirmed it after my appointment with Dr. Sosa; I finally understood that no job is worth sacrificing my mental health. I'm not hurting for money, and with my experience and resume, I can find a job with another firm in a flash. It's time I move on and face Luciano and all of this bullshit once and for all.

"I made an offer to Luciano, and I made sure he couldn't refuse," Samuel said with a pause, letting me know the amount he offered was astronomical. "I wanted to buy the company so I could finish the stadium, but he was adamant he needed to stay in charge of overseeing said project. That was my cue to not follow through with the deal—I'm sure he wanted to keep draining the original funds and make a big buck by selling the company. I'm sorry to say it so bluntly, but your boss is a piece of work," Samuel told me when he and Claudia came over to see us. They've been coming every night to check on Cattleya. They say they just want to spend as much time as possible with her before they have to go back to Colombia, but deep down I know they're scared shitless of what could happen.

I didn't want to discuss it with Samuel, but I can no longer be a part of a company that creates profit by stealing. I believe in hard work and doing good in the world to receive good things in return. So, I would rather spend a couple of months unemployed until I find a better fit for me than to literally sell my soul to the devil. After making sure I have all the data I need to expose Luciano—if we come to that—I unplug the USB drive with all the original files and turn off my computer.

Lunch with Cattleya was on my brain. I want to spend time with her before she has to join her team at the hotel tonight. With my helmet on, I am about to head home when Luciano parks his car next to me.

"Matías, the man I was just looking for." He walks slowly toward me, and I mount my bike, getting ready to go if shit goes south.

"Luciano, hey. I just finished work for today, and I'm heading home now. What do you need? "

A humorless chuckle escapes him, and I can see the anger transforming his face. "It was a nice touch sending your father-in-law to dig dirt for you. Good thing I learned who Samuel Cardona really is before I agreed to his deal."

I look at him, meeting his gaze. I've had time to think things through, and I know who I am. I'm not afraid of Luciano anymore.

"I've loved every single project I've been able to work on with this company, but no job is worth losing who you are. You'll have my resignation letter on your desk first thing Monday morning."

I turn on my bike, and the rumble of the engine calms my nerves down. I can stand up for myself and not feel guilty about leaving a project midway. I need to prioritize myself and my well-being. Plus, I'm not alone anymore. How would this affect Cattleya's career if word gets out that her boyfriend was part of a money-stealing scheme targeting her own team? Fuck no.

"Not so fast, Matías. I told you if I was going to go down, you'd go down first." A triumphant smile lets me see his uneven teeth and reminds me of a cartoon villain, finally showing off his true colors.

"That's where you're wrong. I have every single document with me that proves I had nothing to do with your scam. If you try to frame me, it won't work."

He smiles, thinking he got me. "Who is the police going to believe, the company owner who has an impeccable track record? Or a young man with mental health issues and a bunch of tattoos that make him look like he's part of a gang?"

This motherfucker didn't just say what I think he did. I'm about to get off my bike and punch this asshole when I hear a car door opening. I look to where the noise came from and see my security detail making their way to me .

"Is everything okay, Mr. Moreno?" The team leader asks, and I nod at him, too pissed to form words.

"Ah, that's right. He's dating a rich girl now. He thinks he's above all the shit that's about to go down."

In an instant, I have Luciano by his neck and pin him against his car.

"Don't you ever mention her again. You don't want to know what I am capable of for that woman." My voice is low and lethal, I can feel a vein popping on my forehead. There is nothing I wouldn't do for protecting Cattleya, I'm livid at this man's fucking nerve.

Luciano's eyes are wide. He's trying to take my hand off his neck, but I can be lethal if I want; I'm a strong motherfucker.

"I need you to nod your head if you understand me. Leave me and Cattleya out of your fucking scheme."

I press my fingers harder into his neck, applying more pressure on his Adam's apple, and his face starts turning blue. The security team leader taps my shoulder.

"Mr. Moreno, I think he got the message. You don't want to be responsible for his death. That'd be beneath you."

My jaw tenses two more times before I slowly release a breath. The moment I let Luciano go, he falls to his knees, holding his neck and coughing profusely. Yeah, asshole. That's what I thought, you're all bark and no bite.

"Let's go. I need to see Cattleya before she joins the team," I tell the security guys, and they all pile back in the SUV. I hope all these threats end tomorrow and we can go back to our regular lives. Having a car full of bodyguards following me around is getting old, and it hasn't even been a week.

" Mi ángel ?" I ask as I unlock the front door.

"Here, bae." I hear her beautiful voice, and I immediately make my way to our bedroom. When I enter, she's just finishing packing her duffle bag. I wrap my arms around her and breathe her in; I can't get enough of her scent. That mix of frutilla and flowers drives me crazy.

"Do you have time for a proper goodbye? I'm going to miss you tonight," I admit, and she chuckles but rubs her ass against my hardening cock.

"I'd always make time for you, bae. But I'll see you again tomorrow. This is not a forever goodbye."

I bite her neck gently, wrapping her long hair around my fist. "It better not be a forever goodbye. I know we're still new, but my feelings for you are deeper than I ever thought possible. You complete me in a way no one has ever done."

She turns around and crosses her arms around my shoulders. "Same. I've never felt this with anyone in my life."

Cattleya starts swaying side to side, dancing to a silent tune, and I join her, engraving this moment in my core. If I were granted a thousand lives, I would want to spend every single one with her.

"I quit today. I'll make it official on Monday."

Cattleya stops dancing, and I internally slap myself in the face. Good job ruining a romantic moment, boludo .

"You saw Luciano today?" Her beautiful face transforms as her eyebrows knit into a frown.

"He got to the construction site as I was leaving. He tried to intimidate me, but I told him I was out and that I had all the documents to prove my innocence." Her expression turns hard like she's ready for battle .

"What an ass. I'm glad you're out of that place. Nothing good could come out of that." If only she knew how sexy she looks when she gets mad; her body hardens, and that includes her nipples, which are poking my chest through her bra.

"Well, that's in the past now. I just wanted to tell you before I make you come so hard you'll see that fucking trophy spinning in your head."

She chuckles at my lame attempt at merging our sex life with her job, but that chuckle dies fast as I suck her right nipple through the fabric.

"Not laughing anymore, mi ángel ?" I ask as I make my way to her other nipple.

"Ugh, bae. You're mean, just undress me already." Now it's my turn to chuckle.

"Patience, beautiful. I want to savor you." I remove her shirt and bra, then make my way down her neck to her breast. I feel her legs go weak, so I slowly help her onto the bed. I remove my shirt and jeans before I join her.

"How did I get so lucky?" Cattleya asks, passing her hand through my hair.

"I'm the lucky one here, mi ángel . You decided to give me a chance after all this time."

I get on top of her and start playing with her nipples, lapping and sucking as I glide my hand down her navel to cup her pussy over her thong.

"Fuck, Cattleya you're wet already." I decide to give her nipples a break as I rip her thong off, and she gasps, mischief shining in her eyes. The view in front of me cannot be described as anything but perfection: her nipples rock hard and red from my ministrations, her chest rising and falling in rapid succession, her tight, little pussy glistening with arousal for me. I scooch back on the bed, making room to open her legs wide when she decides to start playing with her clit. Fuck if my dick doesn't twitch in response.

"I thought you were a good girl, mi ángel ," I say as I gently remove her hand from her pussy and lick her fingers clean.

"Fuck, Mati. Why do you have to drive me wild?" she asks in a breathy voice, and I simply smirk at her. I slide down her body, my gaze never dropping hers, and take her clit between my teeth. Cattleya inhales through her teeth, the noise shooting a shot of desire straight to my dick.

"If I drive you wild, you drive me more wild. Only you, always you, mi ángel ." I lap at her pussy, flicking my tongue on her clit. Sucking and flicking, I consume her to a rhythm I know makes her feel more.

"Mati, don't stop. I'm going to come."

I called it. After a couple more seconds, Cattleya's body starts shaking, the power of her release coursing through her body.

"That's it, mi ángel . Feel what I make you feel." Her body goes limp after she comes down from her orgasm. I immediately flip her around, her ass on full display now. "Do you think you're wet enough to take my cock now?" I take myself out of my boxers and press my dick to her entrance.

"Yes, bae. I'm so fucking ready." She pushes herself against me, and I remove my cock from her pussy.

"Patience, you know the rules." She huffs a frustrated breath, and I chuckle in response. "Always so eager, mi ángel . So ready to get that pretty pussy of yours all stretched out by my big, fat cock."

Cattleya moans, and I reach for her pussy with my fingers. The moment I enter her with two fingers, her walls clench, and I nearly come. Fuck, I need to be inside her. Now. I guide my cock to her entrance and push into her at a painfully slow pace.

"Just like that, bae," she says as my hands grab her ass, pulling her close to me.

"Are you ready?" I ask against her back. She looks back at me, her caramel eyes dancing with lust like two bonfires in the pitch-dark night, and I know she's as ready as I am. I pull out fast and ram into her.

"Fuckkkkk," both of us say in unison. I keep up a brutal tempo, pounding her with all the strength I can muster. Every time I enter her, I can feel her stretching deliciously to fit my entire cock all the way to my shaft. And when I pull out, I feel the pulse my barbells make on her walls.

"You feel so good, Mati. Don't fucking stop," Cattleya says between her teeth.

"Wasn't planning on it, babe," I continue at a fast pace, and her hands fly from the bed to the wall, helping her remain in place. "Fuck, Cattleya. You look so beautiful right now. All wild and so ready to come on my cock."

I lean down on her as I keep thrusting into her sweet pussy, and when I pinch her left nipple, my warrior roars her release. After another plunge, I join her as ecstasy consumes our bodies and our minds. Once our breathing has calmed down, I collapse next to her in bed. She throws a leg on top of mine, and her arm around my middle.

"That was incredible, bae. I expect the same treatment, if not better, tomorrow after I become a champion." I chuckle but the vibration makes my dick move, and I'm still extra sensitive, so I hiss. "What is it?" she asks, and when I don't say anything she straddles me. My eyes fly open, and her head goes back in laughter. God, I love this woman. "What bae? Aren't you ready for the next round yet?"

I huff at her. But yeah, I'm not ready.

"Why don't we go and take a shower instead? You need to be at the hotel soon." Her face falls, and I feel like an asshole for bringing her down. "Hey, what's wrong?" I ask gently, holding her cheek.

"I'm fucking terrified. On the one hand, I want to win so badly. We've worked so hard to get to this point. And on the other hand, I'm scared shitless that by defying whoever is threatening us, I'm putting you and the rest of the family in danger. I could never forgive myself if something happened to any of you." Her eyes well, and I hate that she has so much going on. She should only be focused on the match tomorrow.

"You need to understand that if something happens to any of us, it's not on you or your teammates. It's on the asshole who decided to threaten all of us." I kiss her forehead and I feel her relaxing slightly, so I decide to keep hitting the situation with the facts, just like Dr. Sosa taught me. "There's always a chance that you might lose tomorrow, and although it would suck because you deserve to win, you should do it, giving it your all. So when you go out on the pitch, do it like you have done all season long: head high and with the strength of a warrior. Because that's who you are, a warrior who fights for what she wants, for what she believes in. A warrior who has the support not only of her team but of her family, and mine."

Cattleya's tears run down her cheeks freely, but she's smiling. My heart soars with pride and love for this amazing woman whose soul has entangled with mine.

After another couple of orgasms in the shower, Cattleya dresses in her uniform, and I drop her off at the hotel where she'll stay the night with the team. I head back home and spend the night searching for job openings—come Monday I need to start sending out resumes. Even though I thought I wasn't going to be able to sleep much, Tinta turned out to be a great bed partner, never leaving my side. He reminds me that he and Cattleya are my little family, and I'll also fight like hell to keep us well and safe.