Carlos immediately stopped, his breathing ragged as he searched her face.
"Cee..." His voice was hoarse, his control hanging by a thread. "Are you…?"
She hesitated, then nodded. "Yes."
Carlos clenched his jaw. "You're a virgin?"
Another nod.
Something inside him tightened. Not just possessiveness, but something deeper—something that made him want to protect her, to hold her close and never let go.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, brushing a strand of hair away from her damp forehead.
Cee swallowed, her voice soft. "It doesn't matter. I want this. I want you."
Carlos exhaled sharply. "No, Cee. Everything about you matters to me." His gaze was intense, filled with something deeper than just desire. "If this is your first time, I want to make sure it's good for you."
Her lips parted slightly, as if his words had struck something in her heart. But before she could respond, he leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to her lips, his hands caressing her body gently, patiently.
"Just relax, baby."
And he didn't enter her immediately. Instead, he made love to her with his mouth and fingers, bringing her over the edge again. Once, twice, a third time, until her body was trembling beneath him, too lost in pleasure to feel anything else.
Only then, when she was soft and pliant, when he knew she was completely ready for him, did he finally push inside her—slowly, carefully—watching her every reaction, making sure she felt nothing but bliss.
Her gasp turned into a moan as he filled her completely, her nails digging into his back. He whispered soothing words, kissing her deeply, moving with steady, gentle strokes until the tension in her body melted away and pleasure took over.
When they finally reached their peak together, Cee collapsed against him, spent and exhausted.
Carlos held her close, stroking her hair as her breathing evened out. Within minutes, she had drifted off into sleep, her body completely relaxed against his.
He gazed at her for a long moment, his heart swelling with something unfamiliar—something more than just passion.
Carefully, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bathroom, lowering her into the warm bath he had drawn earlier. She stirred slightly, but her exhaustion kept her from waking fully. He sat beside the tub, running his fingers through her damp hair, giving her time to rest as he let the warm water soothe her body.
While she soaked, he returned to the bed, stripping off the sheets and replacing them with fresh ones. When he saw the faint red stain left behind, a slow, satisfied smile crossed his lips.
It wasn't just about the act itself—it was about what it meant. She had given herself to him, trusted him with something no one else had before.
And that meant more to him than anything.
The Morning After
The golden rays of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Carlos lay awake, his arms wrapped protectively around Cee's warm, sleeping form. She was curled up against him, her face resting on his bare chest, her breath a gentle rhythm against his skin.
He hadn't slept much—not because he wasn't tired, but because he couldn't stop watching her. Every now and then, she'd shift slightly, murmuring something incoherent in her sleep, pressing closer to him as if she belonged there. And maybe she did.
Carlos tightened his hold on her, his fingers absentmindedly tracing circles on her back. A deep sense of possessiveness washed over him—she was his now. Not just for a month, not just for a while. She was his, and he would never let her go.
A soft sigh escaped Cee's lips as she stirred, her lashes fluttering open. For a moment, she looked confused, her sleepy eyes taking in her surroundings. Then her gaze landed on Carlos, and realization dawned. Her cheeks immediately flushed a deep shade of pink.
"Good morning, baby," Carlos murmured, his voice deep and husky from sleep.
Cee bit her lip, trying to look anywhere but at him, but it was impossible with the way he was holding her so close. She could still feel the lingering heat of last night's passion, the soreness in her body a reminder of everything they had done.
"Morning," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
Carlos smirked, tilting her chin up so she had no choice but to meet his eyes. "Why are you blushing, huh? Weren't you the one clinging to me all night?"
Her blush deepened as she tried to push him away, but he didn't budge. Instead, he rolled on top of her, pinning her beneath him effortlessly.
"Carlos!" she squeaked, her hands pressing against his chest in protest.
"What?" He grinned, dipping his head to nuzzle her neck. "I just love how cute you are in the morning."
Cee squirmed beneath him, her heart racing as his lips skimmed along her collarbone. "S-Stop that! I need to get up."
"Oh, do you?" He raised a teasing brow, deliberately shifting so that his body pressed against hers in a way that made her breath hitch. "Because I was thinking we could stay in bed a little longer."
She swallowed hard, her fingers trembling against his skin. "Carlos…"
He smirked at her reaction, but then his expression softened. His playful demeanor faded, replaced by something more tender. He brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his eyes searching hers.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice quiet but laced with concern. "You're not in pain, are you?"
Cee's chest tightened at the unexpected gentleness in his tone. She shook her head. "No… I mean, I'm a little sore, but it's not bad."
Carlos frowned slightly, guilt flashing across his face. "I should've been more gentle."
"You were," she reassured him, cupping his cheek. "You were perfect."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. They just looked at each other, the weight of everything that had changed between them settling in.
Then, Carlos exhaled, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead. "Good. Because I meant what I said last night, Cee. Everything about you matters to me."
Her heart pounded against her ribs. He was so close, his warmth enveloping her, his scent intoxicating. She wasn't used to this—to someone cherishing her the way he did.
"I…" She hesitated, the words catching in her throat.
Carlos smiled knowingly, pressing another soft kiss to her lips before finally rolling off of her. "I'll run you a bath. You should soak for a bit."
Cee blinked, a little dazed. "You're not joining me?"
Carlos froze mid-step. He turned back to her with a slow, mischievous grin. "Are you inviting me, sweetheart?"
Her face turned scarlet. "I didn't say that!"
He chuckled, ruffling her hair before disappearing into the bathroom.
A few minutes later, he called out, "Bath's ready, baby."
Cee wrapped the sheet around herself and padded into the bathroom, where the tub was filled with warm, fragrant water. Carlos was leaning against the counter, his arms crossed as he watched her with a lazy smirk.
"Do you need help getting in?" he teased.
Cee shot him a glare. "I think I can manage, thank you very much."
Carlos chuckled, but as she stepped into the tub, his eyes darkened. "Still, I might stay and watch."
"Carlos!" she splashed water at him, making him laugh.
As she settled into the warm water, she sighed in contentment, her sore muscles relaxing.
Carlos crouched beside the tub, his fingers brushing along her cheek. "Stay with me today. Just the two of us."
Cee looked up at him, her heart swelling. "Okay."
Carlos smiled, leaning in to press a lingering kiss to her lips.
"Good. Because I don't plan on letting you go anytime soon."