Chapter 10

The accusation in the latest anonymous text burned like acid in Lila's veins as she made her way back to Eli's apartment the next evening. Eli took the money and left. She had spent the day in a fog of work and worry, avoiding her mother's calls. Now, standing outside his door, she needed answers—and him.

Eli opened the door before she could knock, pulling her inside immediately. He must have seen the storm on her face because he backed her against the wall without a word, kissing her with fierce hunger. His hands were everywhere—sliding under her dress, cupping her ass, squeezing her breasts through her bra.

"Tell me later," he growled against her mouth. "Right now I need to remind you who we are."

Lila didn't argue. She needed the reminder too. She yanked his shirt over his head, nails raking down his chest as he lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist. He carried her to the bed and dropped her onto it, stripping her dress off in one fluid motion. Her bra and panties followed quickly.

Naked, he stood over her for a moment, eyes dark with lust and love. His cock was already hard, thick and flushed. Lila reached for him, stroking firmly as he groaned.

Eli pushed her thighs wide and dove between them with his mouth. There was nothing gentle about it tonight. He devoured her—sucking her clit hard, fucking her with his tongue, two thick fingers pumping deep and curling against that spot that made her see stars. Lila came fast and violently, back arching, thighs clamping around his head as she cried out.

He didn't stop. He added a third finger, stretching her, licking her through the aftershocks until she was shaking and begging.

"Eli—please—I need you inside me."

He rose, flipping her onto her hands and knees. Gripping her hips, he thrust into her in one powerful stroke, bottoming out with a groan. The pace was punishing—deep, hard strokes that made her breasts bounce and the bed creak. Skin slapped against skin. His hand fisted in her hair, pulling her head back as he leaned over her.

"This pussy is mine," he rasped, pounding into her. "No one takes you from me. Not the past. Not the texts. Not your mother."

Lila pushed back against him, meeting every brutal thrust. The angle was perfect, almost too much. She came again with a scream, clenching around his cock. Eli followed moments later, burying himself deep and flooding her with hot pulses of his release.

They collapsed briefly, but he wasn't done. He pulled out, turned her over, and slid back inside her slowly this time, face to face. The shift from rough to tender was devastating. He moved in long, deep rolls of his hips, kissing her through it—tongues tangling, breaths shared.

"I love you," he whispered with every thrust. "I didn't take money to leave you. I left because I thought I had to. For my family. For you to have better."

Lila wrapped her legs around him, heels digging into his back. Tears slipped down her cheeks as another orgasm built. They came together this time—slow, intense, emotional—clinging to each other as pleasure and pain intertwined.

Afterward, they lay tangled in the sheets, sweat cooling on their skin. Eli traced patterns on her stomach.

"I never took money from your mother," he said quietly. "But… she did talk to me before I left. Told me I would only drag you down. That I had nothing to offer. It hit hard because I already felt that way. So I left without a real goodbye. I thought I was doing the right thing."

Lila's heart ached. "She had no right."

They made love once more before sleep—slow, sweet, healing. Eli on his back, Lila riding him languidly, his hands guiding her hips as they gazed at each other. It was less about release and more about reaffirmation.

The confrontation with her mother came the next day. Lila went alone, though Eli offered to come. Rosa opened the door looking tired but resolute.

"I did what I thought was best," her mother said before Lila could speak. "I offered the Riveras money to help with Marco's medical bills if Eli stayed away. Not to buy him off—to give you space to build your own life. He took the help for his father but left anyway. I didn't force him."

Lila felt sick. "You interfered in my life. You made him think he wasn't good enough."

"He wasn't—at the time," Rosa said softly. "But I see he's changed. Still… be careful, mija. These secrets have teeth."

Lila left angry and heartbroken. She went straight to Eli at the bar. He took one look at her and pulled her into the back office, locking the door.

The sex was cathartic. He bent her over his desk, flipped up her skirt, and took her hard and fast from behind, one hand over her mouth to muffle her moans as customers moved just beyond the thin door. The risk made it hotter. He reached around to rub her clit until she came, shaking. Then he pulled out, turned her around, sat her on the desk, and thrust back in, kissing her through her second orgasm before spilling deep inside her.

Afterward, holding her close, Eli whispered, "We rewrite the story now. No more interference."

But as they left the bar that night, hand in hand for the first time publicly, another text arrived on Lila's phone.

Unknown: The money was only part of it. Ask Eli about the real reason he left—the girl he was sleeping with the week before he disappeared. Your best friend at the time.

Lila froze in the middle of the sidewalk. Jenna?

The foundations of everything she believed were crumbling faster than she could rebuild them. Eli squeezed her hand, oblivious for the moment.

How much more could their love take before it shattered completely?