We were lying in my bed, cuddling after another round of sex, and only now I felt enervated. I was seriously amazed by Carlos’ stamina, who after all that action didn’t look tired at all.

“You know, you could be a porn star,” I said, grinning. “Not that I’m trying to give you any ideas.”

He looked at me incredulously, erupting into hearty laughter. “Why do you think that?”

“Because you’d be able to shoot scenes the whole day. You wouldn’t even need to take anything to keep your erection.”

His laughter became louder. “I never thought about it, but if my businesses fail, it’s good to know I have other options.” He winked at me.

“I doubt that would ever happen. I’m sure you’re as good with investing as you’re with dancing.”

“Perhaps. I never thought I would become a real-estate investor, but life is full of surprises.”

I propped my head up on my elbow to look at him. “How did you become an investor?” Another question popped into my mind, which was something I wanted to know for a long time. “And why did you come to the U.S.?”

His expression turned pensive, and for a moment, I thought he was going to keep it under wraps.

“I had a difficult period in my life that I don’t like talking about. I rarely talk about it.”

“Oh, I understand. It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me.”

“No, I want to tell you. I’m ready to tell you everything.” He stroked my waist absentmindedly.

“The reason why I understood you so well when you came to my studio that first day is because I went through a similar thing, and it changed my life completely. Salsa helped me get back on track.”

“How so?”

“I was a soccer player in Colombia.”

My eyes widened. “You were playing soccer? Wow.”

“Yeah. And I was supposed to be a star player. All odds were on my side. But one match changed it all. It started great, but I had a bad landing in the middle of the game, and I suffered a torn leg ligament. I had to go through months of extensive physical therapy.”

“I’m so sorry.”

He smiled, but it was melancholic. “It’s all in the past now, but back then I nearly lost my will to live. The injury had taken its toll on my physical but also my mental health. I felt lost when I realized I could no longer play soccer competitively, and I had to decide what I was going to do with my life.”

I ran my fingers down his cheek, understanding perfectly what he was talking about. Who would’ve thought we were so similar after all?

“I came to the U.S. looking for a fresh start. I had enough savings before my soccer career flopped, so I decided to invest that money in properties. It turned out that it was a good decision, because real-investing made me rich.”

“And where does salsa fit into that?”

“I told you how I got to learn salsa, but I didn’t mention that it played a huge role in my recovery. It physically helped me recover from my injury, but it also brought back my will to live. So I dedicated most of my time to salsa and decided to open a dance studio. Thanks to the money I earned from real-estate investing, I opened more dance studios over time.”

I caressed his hair idly. “And now? How do you feel now?”

“I’m happy with my life. I found my purpose again, and it’s something that fulfills me.” He covered my hand with his. “I was content with it, but then you came, and I finally realized what it means to be truly happy.”

My heart fluttered. “You have?”

He gazed at me softly. “Yes. If I hadn’t suffered that injury, I would’ve never met you, but I don’t even want to think about that possibility now. You showed up in my studio looking so beautiful that day, and when I heard that you went through a similar experience, I felt like I could connect to you, which scared the hell out of me.”

“Really? But why?”

“Because I’d never felt that way before. Especially not with a client. That’s one of the rules I made the day I became a salsa teacher—never form attachments to students. But I broke it because of you, and at first, I wasn’t sure what to do about it.”

I felt so warm inside. “But you couldn’t resist me.” I pinched his cheek.

“Yeah. I started falling for you fast, and there was nothing I could do about it. All I knew was that I needed to have you.”

He pulled me against his chest and left a kiss on the top of my head. “And now that I have you, I want to keep you forever. Tú eres mi vida. You’re my life.”

I couldn’t stop grinning. I was able to fully believe him at last. I was content that he trusted me enough to tell me about his past, and now that I knew more about him, I felt some slight guilt at how I perceived him in the beginning. He wasn’t a player. He genuinely cared for me, and if all his signs of affection weren’t enough, he saved me from Glen and promised to keep me safe.

What more could I ask for?

“Thank you for telling me all of this, Carlos. Now, after everything, I feel sorry that I didn’t trust you. You didn’t deserve that. I accused you of using me, but I was so wrong. I want you to know that I believe you. And I won’t doubt you ever again.”

“It’s okay, preciosa. I understand. I can’t hold that against you when you went through hell with that asshole. It’s only natural that you’d be suspicious of me.” He made me look at him. “Just know that I’ll make sure Glen doesn’t come close to you ever again.”

I just stared at him, more joy pervading every part of me. How much more amazing could this man be? After a long time, I was able to feel safe and cared for, and it was all thanks to him. He came at a time when I needed love the most and showed me that not all people were as bad as Glen. I could be myself when I was with him.

He was my anchor, my light in the terrifying darkness, and I wasn’t afraid of the future when I had him.

“Thank you. Thank you for everything.” I planted a huge kiss on his lips. “If it weren’t for you, I would probably still be miserable, lonely, and full of mistrust. I feel lucky to have met you.”

He placed his hands low on my back and pulled me closer to him. “I can say the same.” He nibbled my lips. “I’m so lucky to have you, and I’ll do everything I can to have you smile like that every day.”

“Well, you can start right now,” I said, giggling, and placed his hand over my mound.

His smirk sent a shot of pleasure straight to my core. “Right away.”

A week had passed, and I was happier than ever. I spent most of my time at Carlos’s place, where we watched movies, had lots of amazing sex, danced, or just spent time talking. I got a lot better at salsa, but dancing was easy when I had a great partner like him.

There was no sign of Glen, but I went to the court and filled out the restraining order form. I even changed my phone number, so he couldn’t call me or text me anymore. He had my address, though, which was one of the reasons why I spent so much time at Carlos’s penthouse.

I didn’t like this quiet. I was supposed to be relieved that he wasn’t harassing me anymore, but something told me I shouldn’t drop my guard so soon.

“Maybe Glen is scared to mess with you now that he knows you’re with Carlos,” Nat told me over the phone when I mentioned this to her.

I was on my way to my next salsa class, missing Carlos more than I thought was possible. Just like before, Carlos and I made a deal to see each other earlier so we could have some time alone in the gym, and the flutters danced through my belly whenever I thought about it.

But still. The issue with Glen was always in the back of my mind, reminding me that not everything was hunky-dory.

“I don’t know, Nat. With the way he is now, I’m not sure about anything. He apparently pulls no punches, so what if he keeps stalking me or assaults Carlos?”

“Don’t be pessimistic. He can’t chase you forever, and I don’t think he has the balls to go after Carlos.”

I chewed on my lip. What if that was exactly what he had in mind? Maybe he was just biding his time and would reappear when I least expected it. I shivered just thinking about it.

“Unless he’s gone mad.”

“Lindsey,” she said in a low voice, and I exhaled.

“I know, I know. I’m too pessimistic and should take a chill pill for a change.”

She giggled. “Yeah. You know what’s your solution?”

“What?”

“Sex with Carlos. It’ll solve everything.”

I let out a chuckle, my cheeks warming. “That’s true. He does have a special effect on me.”

My mind replayed the moment he took me on his kitchen island yesterday. I was making pancakes and was about to use whipped cream when he put me on the island, raised my shirt, and smeared the cream all over my belly. After that, things only got more heated until we made a mess of the kitchen and ended in his bathtub.

“How is Carlos treating you?”

“He’s an angel. He’s caring and he always puts my needs before his own.”

“I’m so happy for you, but I also envy you so much. I can only wish to find someone like him.”

“I believe you will. If I managed to find a guy like Carlos, you’ll manage too.”

“At this point, I feel like I have better chances at winning a lottery than that to happen. It’s like that guy is hiding in a cave, and I’ll never get to meet him!”

“Who’s pessimistic now?”

“Although, there is Matt.”

“Who’s Matt?”

“My colleague from work. He keeps asking me out, but I keep refusing him because I don’t think I’m ready for a serious relationship.”

“How do you know he wants a serious relationship?”

“Because he’s that type.”

“Do you like him?”

“Yep.”

“Then give it a try. You can’t know until you give him a chance.”

I entered Carlos’s studio and found him at the counter. He was alone. “I’m in Carlos’s studio. Talk to you later.”

“Later!”

Carlos smiled at me and met me half-way, pulling me into his hug, and I snuggled up to him. Our lips molded together, our hearts beating as one. I would never get enough of his kisses.

“I missed you so much,” he told me and picked me up, and I snaked my legs around his waist, heat rushing to my core.

I grinned. “You saw me this morning.”

He took me to the counter and placed me on the hard surface. “It feels like an eternity.”

“Prove it to me,” I said with a coquettish smile, running my finger along his jaw.

He growled, his eyes darkening. “Oh, I’ll prove it to you. And much more.”

He pressed himself against me and slipped his hands inside my tights, staying true to his words.

After the class, Carlos drove me to my place. He couldn’t resist touching me during the drive, his hand often grazing my thighs and pussy.

I moaned when he pressed his fingers over my core, the material of my tights and panties doing nothing to make the touch any less intense.

“If you keep doing that, we’re going to crash,” I said with a smile. I didn’t want him to stop, though.

He shot me a glance. “What can I say? I wish I could pull over somewhere and take you right inside the car.”

“You’re insatiable,” I joked, but I wished for the same thing.

“Like you.”

He stopped in the parking lot across from my building and reached to kiss me, his fingers stroking my pussy in circles.

I broke into giggles. “Wait. We’ll get to my place in a minute.”

He growled in frustration, but he didn’t object. We rushed to my place, impatient to get each other naked, but just when we started crossing the street, a car appeared out of nowhere, careening toward us at full speed.

“Carlos!”

Before I could even move, he pushed me aside, rescuing me from the car at the last possible moment before he got hit.