35. Kali

35

KALI

I pace the small cabin, wringing my hands. It's been five days since Matias whisked me away to this remote, secluded place, and I'm panicking. My classes at Brown are piling up, and I can't keep telling my professors I'm sick.

"Matias," I say, approaching him cautiously. He's lounging on the bed, his eyes trained on a book. "I need to talk to you about something."

He looks up, his brow furrowing. "What is it?"

I inhale deeply, steeling myself. "I'm starting to fall behind at school. I've told my professors I'm sick but can't keep doing that. I need to go back."

To my surprise, Matias sets the book aside and sits up, his expression unreadable. "I see," he says, his voice low and thoughtful.

I blink, taken aback by his reaction. I thought he'd argue and insist that I stay here with him, but he's listening .

"I'll take you back today," he says. "You can go to your classes tomorrow."

I stare at him, my mouth hanging open. "You will?"

Matias nods, his eyes softening. "Yes, Kali. I want you to succeed in your studies. You're important to me, and I don't want to jeopardize your future."

"Thank you," I breathe.

He puts his hand on my cheek. "Of course, baby. Now, let's pack you up and get you back to the city."

He helps me pack my stuff and then leads me to the car. I can't help but wonder what's changed. Is this a glimpse of the real Matias, the one buried beneath the layers of darkness and violence?

The drive back to Providence is quiet, but there's a newfound tension. I steal glances at Matias, trying to read his expression, but he remains focused on the road, his jaw set.

As we pull up to the apartment, Matias turns to me, his dark eyes burning with intensity.

"Kali," he says, his voice low and rough. "I want you to stay with me, of your own will."

"What are you saying?" I ask.

"I want you here by my side, but I won't stop you if you truly wish to return to your friends."

I stare at him, searching his face for any sign of deception. Still, I see a raw vulnerability I've never witnessed in him.

"Matias..." I hesitate, unsure of how to respond.

He crashes his lips against mine. I melt into him, my body betraying the conflict raging within me.

When he finally pulls away, his gaze is intense. "Stay with me, Kali. Let me show you I can be more than just a captor."

I'm breathless, my mind racing. The desire to run and return to the safety of my friends is there, but I know I want to stay with him more.

"Okay," I whisper.

Matias's face lights up with a rare smile, and he pulls me into a tight embrace. "Thank you, baby. You won't regret this, I promise."

As we make our way up to the apartment, I can't help but feel a sense of trepidation. What am I getting myself into? But the warmth of Matias's hand in mine, the tenderness of his touch, gives me a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something more.

We step through the apartment door, and Matias wastes no time pulling me into his embrace.

Our vacation allowed us to open up and see each other as two complex individuals. I shared my dreams of becoming an architect, my loving family, and the support system that shaped me.

Matias revealed glimpses of his turbulent childhood, the circumstances that forged his unbreakable bond with Thiago, and the darkness within him.

As he gazes down at me, his eyes smolder with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine. There's a softness there, too, a vulnerability that he's allowing me to witness.

Matias cups my face in his calloused hands, his thumbs tracing my cheekbones. "My little rabbit," he rumbles.

He kisses me softly and passionately like he's savoring every moment and trying to convey something more profound than raw lust.

I melt into him, my fingers tangling in his dark hair as I return his enthusiasm. Our bodies press together, and the hard planes of his chest press against my softer curves. Matias is all hard edges and raw power, a predator in human form. Yet, at this moment, he's gentle, his touch worshiping.

Matias breaks the kiss and his eyes bore into mine, intense yet somehow softer than I've ever seen them. "You're mine," he growls. "Always."

Matias's mouth travels down my neck, his kisses giving me goosebumps. I moan softly, my body already responding. We've shared intimacy before, but this feels different.

He gently urges me back toward the bed. I feel a twist in my chest, a tug of something unfamiliar. Slowly, I sit down on the edge of the bed, and he kneels before me, his hands on my thighs.

Leaning forward, he places feather-light kisses along my inner thighs. I close my eyes, my head falling back as a wave of desire washes over me.

I reach out, tangling my hands in his hair, holding him against me. "Matias," I whisper.

He looks up at me, his dark eyes searching my face. "Tell me to stop, and I will."

This is the moment I have a real choice to walk away and end this twisted thing between us. Even as the thought crosses my mind, it's gone in a second.

"Don't stop," I breathe.

A shadow of a smile crosses his face, capturing my lips with his.

My hands move across my shoulders. A warmth blossoms within me, a desire to give as much as I receive. I want to show him that I'm not just a captive and can be a willing participant in this dance.

He breaks the kiss, trailing his lips along my jawline. "You're so beautiful," he murmurs, his voice thick with desire. "And all mine."His fingers ignite a trail of fire across my skin.

I arch into him, my breath coming in short gasps. "Matias, please," I beg, unsure what I'm asking.

"I have you, baby," he growls. "Always."

His mouth finds mine again, silencing my words with a kiss that leaves me breathless.

Every touch and kiss feels like a brand, marking me as his. I can feel his desire's intensity, but its tenderness steals my breath away.

Matias unfastens his pants and frees his cock, lifting the hem of my dress and pushing into me slowly.

Our passion builds, our bodies moving in perfect sync. He murmurs my name like a prayer, his hands tangling in my hair and pulling me closer. I desire to brand him as mine the way he did to me.

In the throes of our passion, something shifts between us. It's no longer about possession. There's a deeper connection forming, one that scares me .

I dig my nails into his back and tense as he sends me right over the cliff edge, free-falling. "Fuck! Matias!" I cry.

"Kali," he growls my name, biting my shoulder as I shudder and come apart on his dick. A whimper escapes me as pleasure washes over me.

A soft groan spills from his slips as he comes apart, too, filling me with his cum. He keeps thrusting, fucking us both through our pleasure. He holds me tightly, his arms an anchor in the storm of our passion. We remain tangled together, our hearts pounding in unison.

I hesitate, unsure of what to say or do. This is uncharted territory, a moment of tenderness amidst the darkness. I try to move, but he holds me even tighter.

Matias breaks the silence, his voice a rough whisper against my hair. "Stay with me like this. Just a little longer."

I don't respond, but I don't pull away either. I stay, savoring the feel of his arms around me, his cock inside me, and the warmth of his body against mine. And in that moment, I realize that I don't want to leave—not ever.

We lie together, our hearts slowly returning to their regular rhythm. Matias traces lazy patterns on my skin, his touch soft and soothing. I close my eyes, reveling in the prolonged pleasure.

Peace settles over me, and I want to stay in the warm glow of Matias's embrace, safe from the realities of our twisted world forever.