“
I’ll give you the world,” he said against my mouth. “The moon. The fucking stars. Anything you ask, it’s yours. I’m yours.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Love Deception, #1))
“
Because it was all you were willing to give me. And I’d rather have you hating me than not have you at all.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
When I finally kiss you, there won’t be any doubt in your mind that it is real.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
You feel complete in my arms. You feel like my home.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Love Deception, #1))
“
If you get any more perfect, I’m going to believe you were made just for me.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
How is it possible that it feels like you are breaking my heart, and I haven’t even had you yet?
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
I don’t think I’d be able to deny you a single thing if you asked, Catalina.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Love Deception, #1))
“
But you are. You are worth all that trouble. You are worth walking through a fucking fire. Don’t you see that?
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Being your friend has always been the last thing on my mind.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
I wasn’t pretending, Catalina. Not for a minute. It was all real for me. That’s why it meant so much.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
I always have time for you.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
He is not that good-looking. He’s just tall,
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Do I have your attention?” “You don’t need to do any of that.” He lowered the large black-and-white-colored pages with a brisk motion. “You always have my undivided attention, Catalina.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
You are not on your own anymore. It’s you and me now. We are in this together, and we’ve got this.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Because when I finally take those lips in mine, it will be the furthest thing from pretending. I will not be showing you what it would be like if you were mine. I’ll show you what it is. And I sure as hell won’t be showing how good I could make you feel if you called me yours. You’ll already know that I am.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
You are all that, Catalina. You are light. And passion. Your laughter alone can lift my mood and effortlessly turn my day around in a matter of seconds. Even when it's not aimed at me. You... can light up entire rooms, Catalina. You hold that kind of power. And it's because of all the different things that make you who you are. Each and every one of them, even the ones that drive me crazy in ways you can't imagine. You should never forget that.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Love Deception, #1))
“
Five tacos—Aaron had gotten me five and not four, like I had told him.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Neither of you is at fault, Aaron. We are not programmed to lose those we love; there’s no right or wrong way to grieve.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Love is worth fighting for.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
When there’s a rock on the way and you fall, I tumble down with you. We fight our way up together.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
My eyelids eventually fluttered shut, but right before darkness engulfed me, I thought I heard Aaron whisper, “You feel complete in my arms. You feel like my home.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
You’ve never needed anyone to fight your battles, Catalina. That’s one of the things I respect the most about you.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Set your goal free into the universe. Visualize it.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Anything that bothers you matters to me, and I want to hear about it,” he said from his position behind me. “Nothing about you is boring or doesn’t interest me—ever. Understand?
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
What they had was the real stuff. Honest, devoted, palpable love. The one that transcended distance, differences, and obstacles. The kind that was meant to be written about in books. Thinking of it filled my chest with warmth and longing for something I didn’t know I’d ever be able to find.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
I know, baby. Everything will always be okay, no matter what. You know why?”
“Why?”
“Because it’s you and me.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Love Deception, #1))
“
I want your heart, Catalina.” Both of his hands rose to my shoulders, trailing up my neck and cupping my face. “I want it for myself, just how I have given you mine.” It’s yours, you beautiful and blind man, I wanted to tell him. Take it. I don’t want it anymore, I wanted to scream at him and anyone that would listen.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
I talked her into believing that she needed me. Then, I showed her-proved to her-that she did.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Love Deception, #1))
“
Every time I look at her.” He didn’t even blink as he talked, looking straight into my eyes. And I didn’t think I did either. I didn’t think I was even breathing. “All the time I wasted so foolishly. All the time I could have had with her.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
You have to say something, baby. You are very quiet, and that’s starting to freak me out.” Baby. That baby did things to me. I liked it. Far too much.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
When someone mistreats you and I have the power to do something about it, I’m going to speak up. I’m not going to wait on the sidelines and watch you take the hit of it on your own.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
To those chasing dreams, never give up on them. We are not quitters, you hear me?
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
You hugged me because you thought I wasn’t coming.” His gaze was searching. As if he couldn’t believe or understand what had just happened. “You’ve never hugged me before.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
When Aaron finally spoke, his voice had a breathless texture, “You pinched my ass, Catalina.” I had. And I was sorry. Sort of. Which didn’t excuse the shameless, outright joyful grin that broke out on my face.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Good girl. Keep them closed.” He brushed another openmouthed kiss as a reward. “We’ll play this game a little longer.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Love Deception, #1))
“
Because life wasn’t ideal. It turned and bent. It spun you out for a minute and swung you right back in the next.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
There was something lodged right in between my ribs that felt a lot like a ticking bomb.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
That’s not an answer, baby.” His fingers increased their pace, making me light-headed. “Do you want me to get you off and hold you until you fall asleep?” His other hand rose to my breast, teasing my nipple. “Or do you want me to claim it with my cock?” So commanding and yet so fucking thoughtful. Cherishing me, ravishing me. He was everything I needed. Everything my body craved and my heart had been missing.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
My life-altering moment would never be a measurement of time. It would never be as simple as marking a few points in the timeline of my life that I could identify as transcendent. It was him. Aaron. He was my moment. And for as long as I had him, my life would constantly be changing, be altered. I’d be challenged, cherished, loved. With him, I’d live.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Love Deception, #1))
“
It was a mug. And it had a joke printed on it. It said, Engineers don’t cry. They build bridges and get over it.” Someone laughed then. Isabel or perhaps Gonzalo—I wasn’t sure. With all that crazy banging, my heart had somehow moved up my throat and to my temples, so it was hard to focus on anything besides its beating and Aaron’s voice. “And you know what I did?” he continued, bitterness filling his tone. “Instead of laughing like I wanted to, instead of looking up at her and saying something funny that would hopefully make her give me one of those bright smiles I had somehow already seen her give so freely in the short day I had been around her, I pushed it all down and set the mug on my desk. Then, I thanked her and asked her if there was anything else she needed.” I knew I shouldn’t feel embarrassed, but I was. Just as much as I had been back then, if not more. It had been such a silly thing to do, and I had felt so tiny and dumb after he brushed it away so easily. Closing my eyes, I heard him continue, “I pretty much kicked her out of my office after she went out of her way and got me a gift.” Aaron’s voice got low and harsh. “A fucking welcome gift.” I opened my eyes just in time to watch him turn his head in my direction. Our gazes met. “Just like the big jerk I had advertised myself to be, I ran her out. And to this day, I regret it every time it crosses my mind. Every time I look at her.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
It’s like you want me to beg. Is that something you’d enjoy? Me begging?” His voice sounded so … intimate. Hushed. But it was his next words that scattered my thoughts all over the place. “Is that what this is? You like bringing me to my knees?
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Did you smuggle doughnuts out of the wedding in your pocket?
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
My lips parted with a silent curse word that would make my abuela take me to church by the ear.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Dammit, Rosie,” I whispered with my arms still around her, making eye contact with the approaching man. “We have summoned him again.” I
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
But you are so … werewolfish.” True to my accusations, those blue eyes glinted with a hungry edge. “Am I?” “Yes. First off, you are big and hot and—” “Oh, I’m already loving this.” One of his arms curled around me, tugging me to his side. “Please continue.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
And if I am interested in someone, I make myself heard. I will find a way for her to know. Sooner or later, she’ll know.” Aaron didn’t look at me, not once. He just spoke with his gaze on the road ahead of us.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
If you could, tell Aaron that I don’t think one can laugh at, or much less understand, jokes when one lacks a sense of humor, please.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
And then, as if he had been waiting for me to be ready to hear it, he went for the killing blow. “You are not on your own anymore. It’s you and me now. We are in this together, and we’ve got this.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
It’s becoming really hard to make myself wait.” Another pass of his lips over the same patch of skin. “You are very close to driving me out of my mind.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
It must have been so hard, growing up, limited by someone else’s idea of what you should and should not be.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Aaron broke the silence, saying, “Dance with me.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
As you said back in your apartment, I’m a big boy.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
I’ll give you the world,” he said against my mouth. “The moon. The fucking stars. Anything you ask, it’s yours. I’m yours.” And then my world exploded. Aaron’s mouth was against mine, nothing soft about the branding contact. He parted my lips, his tongue plunging inside, while his hands slowly trailed up my back.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Catalina.” There it was again. Not Lina. Catalina. “I’m glad I didn’t kiss you.” Something halted in my chest. “Why?” The word was nothing more than a shaky whisper. “Because when I finally take those lips in mine, it will be the furthest thing from pretending. I will not be showing you what it would be like if you were mine. I’ll show you what it is. And I sure as hell won’t be showing how good I could make you feel if you called me yours. You’ll already know that I am.” He paused, and I swore I could see the restraint in his posture. As if he was stopping himself from pouncing and returning us to our former position, right against the hard surface of the wardrobe door. “When I finally kiss you, there won’t be any doubt in your mind that it is real.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Mamá had taught me better than to
leave things hanging over my head. Ignoring and waiting for them to go away on their own wasn’t the smart thing to do. Because they didn’t. Sooner or later—and just when you least expected them to—they’d fall off right on top of you, and chances were, they’d take you down with them if you let them.
”
”
Elena Armas (The American Roommate Experiment (Spanish Love Deception, #2))
“
One day, I was going to throw something at that ridiculously symmetrical face of his. I truly was, but it was never going to be a brownie.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Hold on to her, son. For as long as time lets you.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Love Deception, #1))
“
The chances of him,” I told Rosie, “being actually serious are the same chances I have of having Chris Evans pop out of nowhere and confess his undying love for me.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
It all felt unreal. Like a cruel nightmare I’d wake up from any minute now. But it never happened.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Ever since that day a year and eight months ago, I was never late. Why? Aaron Blackford.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
You are right.” His voice was unspeakably flat. “Being your friend has always been the last thing on my mind.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
She used to tell me how the moment I was born, she knew she had found her light in the dark. That one lighthouse that, no matter what, was always up. Lighting up the night and signaling her way home.
”
”
Elena Armas (The American Roommate Experiment (Spanish Love Deception, #2))
“
You always have my undivided attention, Catalina.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Before I could muster the courage to stop him, the last person in the room I had expected to speak beat me to it. “We are done here.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
It’s sexy, but don’t ever feel like you need to impress me. I already am.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
We are ignoring him though. You don’t need to spare his feelings. He doesn’t have any.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Any other Disney movies?” I was tempting my luck here. Aaron’s expression remained serious. “All of them.” Shit. “Even Frozen? Tangled? The Princess Frog?” I asked, and he nodded. “I love animated movies. They take my mind off things.” He dipped his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Disney, Pixar … I’m a big fan.” This was too much. First, he’d opened up about his childhood earlier today, and now, this. I wanted to ask how and why, but there was a more pressing issue. “What’s your favorite?” Please don’t say the one that will send my heart into cardiac arrest. Please don’t say it. “Up.” Fuck. He had said it. My heart struggled there for a moment. And that little spot that had been softening throughout the night got a little bigger.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Aaron dipped his head, his voice dropping too. “Are you trying to impress me with sports lingo, Catalina?” The way he had said my name was new. I couldn’t explain how, but it had been different from any other time he had voiced those four syllables. And it sent a shiver dancing down my arms. “It’s sexy, but don’t ever feel like you need to impress me. I already am.” My lips parted. I thought my breath had hitched too.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Was that too much?” I turned my face into his chest and placed my lips above his heart. “No, never.” And I meant it. “I …” I trailed off, my voice turning into a whisper. “I liked how you lost control. I liked it a lot.” “Careful.” I felt his hand on my hair, his palm brushing down the tousled locks. “If you get any more perfect, I’m going to believe you were made just for me.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Aaron’s fingers found my chin, tilting my face up to meet his gaze. “Hey.” The blue in his eyes shone under the fluorescent light illuminating the terminal, snatching all my attention. “There you are.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Was he laughing? The nerve of him. The situation called for extreme measures. So, with all the skill I could gather, I stretched down until my hand reached his backside and pinched his butt. Yep. I, Lina Martín, had just pinched Aaron Blackford’s butt.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
sighed into his chest. “I’m needy, okay?” I admitted, unashamed. “And I’m not talking just snuggles needy. I’m spider-monkey needy.” I made my point, throwing my leg over his and my arm over his chest, tangling our bodies in a way that I guessed wasn’t anywhere close to being cute.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
And I know that even if something did break you—because that’s life and no one is invincible—you’d still put the pieces back together and remain the brightest thing I’d ever seen.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
No distractions. I’m all yours.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Of course,” he said with his brows still furrowed. “I always have time for you.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Aaron’s arms tightened around me. “Just for precaution,” he said, bringing me even closer.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
I don’t think it computes as a hug when one of the parties remains like a wooden stick, Captain Not So Obvious.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Here,” I heard him say from my side. Looking down, my gaze found something wrapped in wax paper. It was a square, about three or four inches long. “What’s this?” I asked him, my eyes jumping to his profile. “A granola bar,” he answered without looking at me, typing on his keyboard. “You are hungry. Eat it.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
You like The Lion King?” “Of course.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Aaron was never late. He wasn’t programmed for that kind of careless behavior.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
When you find that kind of love, time stops mattering. Come what may, Lina, he would love her regardless of how long they had.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Life-altering moments spanned from a few seconds to decades. It was part of the magic of life. Of living.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
I’ll be your date to the wedding.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
...and I watched his eyelashes hide that ocean I'd gladly drown in if he let me
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Love Deception, #1))
“
I just …” He trailed off, sounding exhausted. Defeated. “Are you really here, baby?” he repeated, holding me tighter. “Or is this my imagination playing tricks on me? I haven’t slept in … I don’t know how many days. Two? Three?” “I’m here. I’m right here.” I lifted my head and moved, so I could cup his face, take a good look at that face I had been so set on despising and now loved so much. “And I’m going to take care of you.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Aaron attempted to place me on the black-and-white tiled floor. “Nuh-uh.” I shook my head, holding on to his neck a little closer and keeping my legs around his waist. “I like it up here.” “Yeah?” His voice was coated with humor but also with something thick and glossy. I tightened my grip on him. “That much?” “Yep,” I admitted into his neck. “I think you can carry me everywhere from now on. Walking on my own is not going to cut it anymore.” His palms rearranged me around him, shifting me to his side. He dropped a kiss on my temple. “And I think I could get used to that very quickly.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
If I were yours, I would not be capable of functioning without touching you.” His words made something in my chest constrict. “I couldn’t go a few minutes without doing this,” he added, squeezing my waist with his hand and slipping his thumb below my sleeping shirt, robbing me of the following breath. “Or something like this.” Aaron stepped further into me, pressing his hips against mine. A helpless whimper left me.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
What pet name would you like me to call you?” “Whatever makes you the happiest. Just pick one.” In that moment, the effect of the baby came back with a vengeance. “I don’t know,” I said, kicking that one out of my head. “I guess one in Spanish makes sense. Bollito? Cuchi cuchi? Pocholito?” “Bollito?” “It’s little bun.” I smiled. “Like those bread buns that are spongey and shiny and so cute that—" “Okay, no.” He frowned. “I think it’s better if we stick to our names,” he said, taking both drinks from the attendant who had just reappeared and placing mine in front of me. “I don’t think I can trust you to pick one in Spanish without knowing what it means.” “I’m very trustworthy—you should know that by now.” I brought a finger to my chin, tapping it a few times. “How about conejito? That’s little bunny.” With a long sigh, Aaron let his massive body fall deeper into the seat. “You are right; you are not a bunny.” I paused. “Osito?” I made a show of looking him up and down, as if I were testing the name on him. “Yeah, that one is way more fitting. You are more of a bear.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Then, there’s the way his eyes have been on you the whole time we’ve been here.” Whoa, what? “It’s been only, what? A couple of hours? And he’s still absorbed by you, watching and following every single move you make, as if you were pooping rainbows and leaving behind a trail of glitter. It would be disgusting if I wasn’t in love myself.” She patted my hand. “And trust me, sis, you all red and blotchy? Not that cute.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Aaron, what are your intentions with Lina? You are not just fooling around, are you? What do you think about marriage? Because Lina is about to turn thirty and—” “Charo,” I interrupted her. “Ya basta,” I hissed. “And I’m only twenty-eight. Jesus.” Aaron chuckled behind me. “Marriage is one of my favorite institutions.” My jaw hit the floor. “I’ve always wanted to get married.” My breath hitched, my mouth still hanging open. “Have a bunch of kids. A dog too.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
You know the times I have jerked off to the thought of you on your hands? On your elbows?” He passed his shaft along my ass, making me moan in need. “Or bent over my knee after getting all mouthy with me?” Another moan, this one soaked with agony. Just like I was at the image of bringing his words to life. “Oh,” he whispered. Then, his voice lowered. “Sounds like you’d love that as much as me.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Then, he angled his large body toward me, eating a big chunk of the distance that had been separating us. The motion had been unexpected, and my breath hitched with surprise. Hyperaware of how close he had come, I stuttered. Suddenly not knowing what to say or if I was expected to say anything at all. Aaron’s arm reached out, the backs of his fingers gracing my temple. My lips parted, tingles spreading down my skin. It was him who lowered his voice then. “Always fighting me.” I looked up at his handsome and stern face, his assessing blue eyes surveying my reaction. “Resisting me.” My heart tripped, making my chest feel like I had just sprinted a mile or two. Aaron’s head dipped, his mouth coming close to where his fingers had been a few seconds ago. Almost as close as it had been when we danced. “It’s like you want me to beg. Is that something you’d enjoy? Me begging?” His voice sounded so … intimate. Hushed. But it was his next words that scattered my thoughts all over the place. “Is that what this is? You like bringing me to my knees?” Whoa.
”
”
Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
I need this,” I whimpered. “Need more.” Aaron rocked into me as he braced himself on the headboard. His pace gave away all remnants of control. “You need me,” he grunted, thrusting into me even faster. My back arched in return. “You don’t need this.” He plunged into me hard. Then, he did it again. Harder. “It’s me you need.” God, didn’t he know—wasn’t it painfully obvious—that I did? Another brisk thrust. “Say it.” “Yes,” I moaned, my body losing all its strength under the waves of pleasure. “You, Aaron. I need you.
”
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Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
Understanding sank in as I realized I was hanging off someone. Particularly off someone’s shoulder—Aaron’s shoulder to be one hundred percent exact. What in the— Everybody seemed to be on board, if the clapping and cheering around us were any indication. Ignoring the little commotion behind us, Aaron rearranged me on his broad shoulder, gripping my waist gently but firmly. A complaint rose and died in my throat as he shot off, running. “Aaron,” I screeched with urgency. He was running with me hanging off him like a goddamn human-sized potato sack. With every stride, the symmetric and strained strings of muscle on his back moved. His backside too. Distracting me. Dammit, Lina, no. Focus. “Aaron,” I repeated, being ignored again. “What. Are. You. Doing?” My speech was interrupted with each bounce of his body. With each stomp of his long legs, guiding the ball in my sister’s direction. “Aaron Blackford!” He chuckled. Then, he patted the back of my thigh. “I couldn’t let my girlfriend fall to the floor now, could I?” the bastard said calmly, not sounding one bit out of breath.
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Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
It started with a voice-over narrator who asked something along the lines of, “what’s the minimum length of time with the power to change your life? A year? A day? A few minutes?” The answer to that question had come to be that when you were young, one single hour could make a difference. It could change everything. And I … wholeheartedly disagreed. One didn’t need to be young for their life to change in the span of an hour, a handful of minutes, or nothing more than a few seconds. Life changed constantly, wickedly fast and terribly slow, when one least expected it to or after a long time of chasing that change. Life could be turned around, inside out, backward and forward, or it could even transform into something else entirely. And it happened regardless of age, but most importantly, it didn’t care for time. Life-altering moments spanned from a few seconds to decades. It was part of the magic of life. Of living.
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Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
That sound,” Aaron breathed into my skin. “That sound is driving me goddamn insane.” Insanity—that was what this was. What was pumping in my veins. He kissed a path up my throat, veering for my ear, leaving little nips that left my blood roaring. Thundering across my body. My hands toured up his wide chest, reaching the nape of his neck. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling at it softly when he nibbled at the skin below my earlobe. When he grazed his teeth over it, I pulled a little harder. “Hold on to me, baby.” In a swift move, Aaron picked me up from the floor, my legs going around him and my arms wrapping tighter around his neck.
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Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
While I was busy wondering if we were expecting anybody, it took me by surprise when an arm—which I was starting to get very well acquainted with at this rate—snaked around my waist and pulled me backward. My ass landed on something hard and hot, immediately molding into the space. Aaron’s lap. His breath caressed the shell of my ear. “You didn’t say good morning.” My back straightened as I remembered my lame runaway moment. “You almost made me drop my cookie, Mr. Robot.” It was so weird, so strange, calling him that, like I had done so many times in the past. As if that belonged to a whole different life. To two different people. Aaron chuckled, and it tickled my neck. “I wouldn’t dare. I know better than that.” His arm tightened around me, and I had to restrain myself from wrapping my hands around it. “What are you doing?” I whispered loudly. Charo would come back in at any second. “I was feeling lonely,” he admitted, lowering his voice and making my mind fly with everything he wasn’t saying. Stupid. I need to stop being stupid. “And if I’m going to sit through this one-sided interrogation, the least you can do is keep me company. Plus, you owe me a conversation.” “I was right there.” My voice came out strangled. “And Charo is not here now.” He hummed, and that noise traveled straight to my lower belly. “She will be back though. You know I like to be extra prepared.
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Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
It was a mug. And it had a joke printed on it. It said, Engineers don’t cry. They build bridges and get over it.” Someone laughed then. Isabel or perhaps Gonzalo—I wasn’t sure. With all that crazy banging, my heart had somehow moved up my throat and to my temples, so it was hard to focus on anything besides its beating and Aaron’s voice. “And you know what I did?” he continued, bitterness filling his tone. “Instead of laughing like I wanted to, instead of looking up at her and saying something funny that would hopefully make her give me one of those bright smiles I had somehow already seen her give so freely in the short day I had been around her, I pushed it all down and set the mug on my desk. Then, I thanked her and asked her if there was anything else she needed.” I knew I shouldn’t feel embarrassed, but I was. Just as much as I had been back then, if not more. It had been such a silly thing to do, and I had felt so tiny and dumb after he brushed it away so easily. Closing my eyes, I heard him continue, “I pretty much kicked her out of my office after she went out of her way and got me a gift.” Aaron’s voice got low and harsh. “A fucking welcome gift.” I opened my eyes just in time to watch him turn his head in my direction. Our gazes met. “Just like the big jerk I had advertised myself to be, I ran her out. And to this day, I regret it every time it crosses my mind. Every time I look at her.” He didn’t even blink as he talked, looking straight into my eyes. And I didn’t think I did either. I didn’t think I was even breathing. “All the time I wasted so foolishly. All the time I could have had with her.
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Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))
“
You want me to teach you all the dirty words?” I looked up at him and wiggled my eyebrows. Aaron gave me a lopsided smile that would have made my panties drop to the floor had they been resting on my hips. “Well, you are in luck; I’m a wonderful teacher.” “And I’m a highly dedicated student.” He winked. And that goddamn wink disrupted the beating of my heart. “Although I might get a little distracted every now and then.” “I see.” I placed my index finger against his chest, watching Aaron’s eyes dive down quickly before returning to my face. “Maybe you need the right kind of motivation to keep your attention on the subject.” I trailed that finger up, traveling across his pec and then up his neck, following the line of his jaw until reaching his lips. They parted with a shallow breath. “This …” I pushed myself up and kissed his lips gently. “This is a six-letter word in Spanish. Labios. Tus labios. Your lips.” The only answer he gave me was taking my mouth in his again. As if the only way he’d learn the word was tasting it. “And this,” I said before parting his lips and making the kiss deeper, our tongues dancing together, “is another six-letter word. Lengua—tongue.” “I think I really like that one.” Aaron’s head dipped low, his new favorite word reaching my breast. “And this? What do you call this?” he said, grazing his mouth over the peak. A giggle that soon turned into a moan left my mouth before I was able to answer. “That’s a five-letter word. Pezón. Nipple.
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Elena Armas (The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1))