Culpa Tuya

Mercedes Ron

Your Fault

To my sister Ro,
Thank you for being my playmate,
For listening to me, laughing with me and at me,
And always being there when I need you.

Prologue
The rain fell upon us, soaking us, freezing us, but it didn't matter anymore. I knew everything was about to
change, I knew my world was about to crumble.
"There's no turning back now, I can't even look at your face..."
Desolate tears rolled down her face.
How could I have done that to her? Her words pierced my soul like stabbing knives tearing me apart from the
inside out.
"I don't even know what to say," I said, trying to control the panic that threatened to overwhelm me. I couldn't
let myself... I wouldn't, right?
She stared at me intensely, with hatred, with contempt... a gaze I never thought could be directed at me.
"We're finished," she whispered, her voice torn but resolute.
And with those two words, my world plunged into a deep darkness, eerie and solitary... a prison specifically
designed for me, but this time, I deserved it.

NOAH

Finally, I turned eighteen.

I still remembered how eleven months ago I counted the days eagerly, longing to finally reach adulthood, make
my own decisions, and run away from that place. Obviously, things were no longer the same as eleven months
ago. Everything had changed so much that it seemed unbelievable to even think about it. Not only had I grown
accustomed to living here, but I couldn't envision myself living anywhere else but this city. I had managed to
carve out a place for myself in my high school and also in the family I had to live with.
All the obstacles I had to overcome—not just in these months, but since I was born—had made me a stronger
person, or at least that's what I believed. Many things had happened, not all of them good, but I held onto the
best one: Nicholas. Who would have thought that I would end up falling in love with him? I was so deeply in
love with him that it hurt. We had to learn to understand each other, to survive as a couple, and it wasn't easy.
It was something we worked on every single day. We both had strong personalities that clashed often, and
Nick wasn't an easy person to handle, but I loved him madly.
That's why I was more sad than happy about my upcoming birthday party. Nick wasn't going to be there. It had
been two weeks since I last saw him; he had been traveling to San Francisco for the past few months. He had
one more year left to finish his degree, and he had taken advantage of every opportunity his father had opened
for him. Gone was the Nick who got into trouble; now he was different: he had grown and improved with me,
although my fear was that his old self would resurface at any moment.
I observed myself in the mirror. I had pulled my hair up into a loose bun on top of my head, elegant and perfect
to go with the white dress my mother and Will had given me for my birthday. My mother had gone crazy with
the party she had organized. According to her, this would be her last chance to play her role, as in a week I
would be graduating from high school and shortly after, moving to university. I had sent applications to many
universities, but I had ultimately chosen UCLA in Los Angeles. I had already gone through too many changes
and moves; I didn't want to leave for another city, especially not to be away from Nick. He was at the same
university, and even though I knew it was most likely that he would end up moving to San Francisco to work at
his father's new company, I decided to worry about that later. There was still plenty of time, and I didn't want to
get myself down.
I stood up from the vanity, and before putting on the dress, my eyes focused on the scar on my stomach. One
of my fingers caressed that part of my skin, damaged and marked for life, and a shiver ran through me. The
sound of the gunshot that took my father's life echoed in my head, and I had to take a deep breath to regain
composure. I hadn't spoken to anyone about my nightmares or the fear that overwhelmed me every time I
thought about what had happened, or how my heart raced uncontrollably whenever a loud noise sounded near
me. I didn't want to admit that my father had caused me another trauma; I already had enough with not being
able to stay in the dark unless I had Nick by my side... I refused to acknowledge that I could no longer sleep
peacefully, or that I couldn't stop thinking about my dead father right next to me, or how his blood splattering
my face had driven me insane. Those were things I kept to myself: I didn't want anyone to know that I was
more traumatized than before, that my life was still imprisoned by the fears that man had caused me. My
mother, on the other hand, was calmer than ever before because that fear she had always tried to hide had
disappeared; she was finally free. For me, on the contrary, there was still a long road ahead.
"Still not dressed?" asked that voice that made me laugh out loud almost every day.
I turned to Jenna, and a smile appeared on my face. My best friend looked stunning, as always. She had
recently cut her long hair, and now it fell just above her shoulders. She had insisted that I do the same, but I
knew that Nick loved my long hair, so I had left it as it was. It reached almost to my waist, but I liked it that way.
"Have I told you how much I admire your perky ass?" she blurted out, stepping forward and patting my behind.
"You're crazy," I replied, grabbing my dress and pulling it over my head. Jenna approached the safe, just below
where the shoes were. I didn't know the combination or anything because I didn't use it, but since Jenna had
discovered it, she had taken to storing all sorts of things in it.
I burst out laughing when she pulled out a bottle of champagne and two glasses.
"Let's toast to your coming of age," she proposed, pouring the glasses and handing one to me. I smiled; I knew
that if my mother saw me, she would kill me, but after all, it was my birthday, and I had to celebrate, right?
"To us," I added.
We clinked our glasses and brought them to our lips. It tasted delicious; it had to be —it was a bottle of Cristal
worth over three hundred
—There are so many people downstairs," she announced, placing her champagne glass next to mine. I did the
opposite: I grabbed mine and drank all the bubbly liquid in one gulp.
"Don't tell me!" I exclaimed, feeling nervous. Suddenly, I couldn't breathe. The dress was too tight, restricting
my freedom to breathe.
Jenna observed me and smiled knowingly.
"What are you laughing at?" I retorted, envious that she didn't have to go through this.
"Oh, nothing. It's just that I know how much you hate these kinds of things, but don't worry," she replied,
leaning close to my ear. "I'm here to make sure we have a great time," she added, smiling and kissing me on
the cheek.
I smiled gratefully. Maybe my boyfriend would miss my birthday, but at least I would have my best friend by my
side.
"Shall we go downstairs?" she suggested, adjusting her dress.
"We don't have much of a choice!"
The whole garden had been transformed. My mother had gone all out; she had rented a white tent that was set
up in the garden. It was filled with balloons and many round pink tables with fancy chairs, where waiters in
jackets and bow ties moved around. At one end of the space, there was a bar serving drinks, and long tables
were adorned with numerous trays of food provided by a catering service. This wasn't really my style, but I
knew my mother had always wanted to throw me a birthday party like this. We had always joked about my
eighteenth birthday and my move to university, imagining the things we would hire for the party if we won the
lottery... and in the end, we had won! This was going above and beyond.
When I appeared in the garden, everyone shouted "Happy birthday" in unison, as if I hadn't known they were
all there waiting for me. My mother approached me and gave me a big hug.
"Congratulations, Noah!" she said, hugging me tightly. I embraced her and watched in a daze as a line formed
behind her to wish me a happy birthday. All my friends from school had come, along with many parents my
mother had befriended, as well as our neighbors and William's friends. I became so nervous that my gaze
unconsciously started searching the garden for Nicholas. Only he could calm me down. However, there was no
sign of him... I already knew he wouldn't come; he was in another city, and I wouldn't see him until a week later,
for my graduation. But a small part of me still hoped to see him among all those people.
I spent over an hour greeting the guests until Jenna finally approached me to drag me to the drink bar. There
were two sections, one for those under twenty-one and another for the parents.
"You have your own cocktail," she informed me with a laugh.
"My mother has completely lost it," I commented as a waiter served us my cocktail. The guy looked at me and
smiled, trying not to burst out laughing. Great, he probably thought I was a snob.
When I saw the drink, I almost had a heart attack. It was a martini glass filled with bright pink liquid, colorful
sugar rimming the edge, and a decorative strawberry on one side. Tied to the stem of the glass was a bow with
a white "18" made of tiny pearls.
"It's missing the special touch," Jenna remarked, pulling out a flask and discreetly pouring alcohol into our
glasses. At this rate, I would have to pace myself if I didn't want to get completely wasted before midnight.
A pretty good DJ was playing all kinds of music, and my friends were already dancing like crazy. The party was
a success.
Jenna had dragged me to dance with her, and we were both jumping around like crazy. I was sweating
profusely; summer was just around the corner, and it was noticeable.
Lion was watching us attentively from the side of the dance floor. He leaned against one of the columns, his
gaze fixed on Jenna's enthusiastic moves. I laughed and, feeling tired, left Jenna to dance with the others.
"Are you getting bored, Lion?" I asked, coming to a stop next to him.
He smiled amusedly, although I could sense that something was bothering him. His eyes remained fixed on
Jenna.
"By the way, happy birthday," he said, as we hadn't had the chance to talk privately yet. It felt strange seeing
him there without Nick. Lion didn't know much about our classmates; Lion and Nick were five years older than
Jenna and me, and the age difference was noticeable. The people in my class were much more immature
compared to the two of them, so it was understandable that they didn't want to come with us when we went out
with our friends.
"Thank you," I replied. "Do you know anything about Nick?" I asked, feeling a pang in my stomach. He hadn't
called or sent me any messages yet.
"He mentioned yesterday that he's swamped with work, barely getting a chance to have lunch at the law firm,
but he made sure to tell me not to take my eyes off you," he added, looking at me and smiling.
"Your eyes seem to be fixed on a particular person," I said, noticing how he looked at Jenna again. At that
moment, Jenna turned around, and a genuine smile of happiness appeared on her face. She was head over
heels in love with Lion. When he stayed over at our place, we would spend hours talking about how lucky we
were to have fallen in love with two guys who were close friends. I knew firsthand that Jenna wouldn't want
anyone else but him, and I loved thinking that Lion was just as smitten with her. Over time, I had come to adore
Jenna. She truly was my best friend, and I cared about her deeply. She had always been there for me when I
needed her, and she had taught me what a true friend should be like—non-jealous, non-manipulative, and
non-grudge-holding, unlike Beth in Canada. And, of course, I knew she was incapable of intentionally hurting
me.
She approached us and planted a loud kiss on Lion's lips. He held her affectionately, and I moved away from
them, suddenly feeling sad. I missed Nick; I wanted him to be here, I needed him. I glanced at my phone
again, but still no calls or messages from him. It was starting to bother me. It wouldn't take him more than a few
seconds to send me a message. What the hell was going on?
I walked over to the bar where a bartender was serving drinks to the few people over twenty-one who were still
there. It was the same bartender who had been making my cocktails earlier with the help of another server.
I sat at the bar and observed him, contemplating how to charm him into serving me a drink.
"Would it be too much to ask for something that's not pink and has alcohol?" I commented, knowing he would
probably send me somewhere else.
To my surprise, he smiled and, making sure no one was watching, pulled out a shot glass and filled it with a
clear liquid.
"Tequila?" I asked, smiling.
"If anyone asks, it wasn't me," he replied, looking away.
I laughed and quickly brought the shot glass to my lips. The liquor burned my throat, but it tasted really good.
I turned around and saw Jenna dragging Lion into a dark corner. I was starting to feel down seeing my friends
embracing and kissing.
"Another one?" I proposed to the bartender. I knew I was pushing it, but it was my party, and I deserved to
have whatever I wanted, right?
I was about to drink it when suddenly a hand appeared out of nowhere, stopping me and taking it away.
"I think you've had enough," a voice asserted.
That voice.
I looked up, and there he was: Nick. Dressed in a shirt and dress pants, his dark hair slightly tousled, and his
blue eyes shining with restrained, mysterious, yet brimming happiness.
—Oh my God! —I exclaimed, bringing my hands to my mouth. A smile spread across his face, my smile. I
jumped into his arms a second later. "You came!" I shouted, my cheek pressed against his, squeezing him
tightly against me, sensing his scent, feeling whole again.
He held me tightly, and finally, I could breathe. He was there, oh my God, he was there with me.
"I missed you, freckles," he whispered in my ear before pulling my head back and pressing his lips against
mine.
I felt my nerve endings awaken; it had been fourteen long days since I felt his mouth against mine or his hands
on my body.
He pulled away, and his eyes roamed over my body eagerly.
"You look beautiful," he murmured, his voice husky, placing his hands on my waist and pulling me close to him.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to control the urge to keep kissing him. I knew we couldn't do
anything; we were surrounded by people, and our parents were around... I got nervous.
"I wasn't going to miss your birthday," he assured me, and his eyes wandered back to my body. I could feel the
electricity between us. We had never been apart for so long, at least not since we started dating. I had gotten
used to having him with me almost every day.
"How did you manage to come?" I inquired against his chest. I didn't want to let go of him.
"Best not to ask," he replied, kissing the top of my head. I smelled his cologne and closed my eyes in ecstasy.
"Nice party," he said, laughing.
I pulled away from his chest and looked at him with a scowl.
"It wasn't my idea."
"I know," he assured me with a big smile.
I felt my heart swell with happiness. I had missed that smile.
"Do you want to try my signature cocktail, Noah?" I said, turning to the bartender, who heard me and got to
work.
"Do you have your own cocktail, freckles?" he asked, furrowing his brow when the bartender served him the
pink drink, complete with a strawberry, and handed it to him a few seconds later.
He looked at it with an expression that made me laugh. "I suppose I'll have to try it..."
Poor thing drank it all without complaining, even though it tasted like melted candy.
My smile of happiness couldn't fit on my face, and he caught my joy. His hand pulled me, and his lips went
straight to my ear. He barely grazed the sensitive skin of my neck, and I felt like I was dying from that simple
contact of his mouth on my skin.
"I need to be inside you," he whispered then.
My legs trembled.
"We can't do that here," I replied in a whisper, trying to control my nervousness.
"Do you trust me?" he asked then.
What a silly question that was. There was no one I trusted more.
I looked into his eyes; that was my answer.
He smiled in that way that drove me crazy.
"Wait for me in the back of the pool house," he instructed, giving me a quick peck on the lips. Before he left, I
clung tightly to his arm.
"Aren't you coming with me?" I said nervously.
"I think the trick is for no one to realize what we're about to do, love," he confessed with that mischievous smile
that made me tremble from head to toe.
I watched him go to greet the guests, exuding confidence from every pore of his skin. I stayed there for a few
seconds, observing him, feeling the butterflies start to flutter in my stomach. I didn't want to admit that I was
afraid to go there alone, in the dark, away from the crowd.
Trying to control my breathing, I picked up the shot glass from the bar and brought it to my mouth. The liquid
calmed me for a few seconds. I took a deep breath and made my way to the pool, beyond the tent where
people were dancing and having fun. I walked along the edge, trying not to fall into the water, until I reached
the small house at the back. On the other side were the trees surrounding it, and a little further, the sound of
waves crashing against the cliff reached my ears. I leaned my back against the back wall of the house, still
hearing the noises of the guests and trying not to lose my composure.
I closed my eyes nervously, and then I heard him arrive. His lips landed on mine so quickly that I could barely
say anything. I opened my eyes and met his gaze.
His eyes said it all.
"You have no idea how much I've missed doing this," he commented, gripping my neck and kissing me softly.
I melted, quite literally, in his arms.
"God... how I've longed to touch you!" he exclaimed, and his hands roamed up and down my side while his
nose caressed my neck with infinite slowness.
My hands flew to the nape of his neck, pulling him back to my mouth. This time we kissed with more
desperation, heating up like the blazing fire of a wildfire, his tongue entwining fiercely with mine, and his body
pressing against mine. I wanted to touch him, to feel his skin beneath my fingers.
"Did you miss me, freckles?" he asked, caressing my cheek with one hand, observing me as if I were the gift
and not the other way around.
I tried to nod, but my breathing was so fast that only a gasp escaped, which intensified when his lips moved to
my neck.
"I'm not going to leave again," he said between kisses.
I laughed without joy.
"That's not up to you."
He searched my gaze.
"I'll take you with me... wherever I go."
"That sounds very romantic," I replied, kissing him on the jaw.
Nick held my face in his hands.
"I'm serious, I was craving you."
I laughed again, and then his mouth silenced me with a kiss full of contained passion.
“I want to take off this damn dress," he growled through gritted teeth, lifting my dress until it was bunched
around my waist. His eyes fixated on my bare skin, and he looked at me with desire reflected in his gaze, a
dark desire fueled by the distance and time we had been apart.
"I would make love to you all night," he uttered. His hands paused at the elastic of my underwear.
I shivered from head to toe.
"Do you prefer to wait?" he asked, desire gleaming in his darkened eyes. "I would take you to my apartment,
but I suppose you would be missed."
"Yes, you suppose correctly..." I said, biting my lip. I had never done it with him in those circumstances, but I
didn't want to wait. Nick pressed me against the wall, and I felt the brush of his excited body against mine.
"We'll be quick, no one will see us," he assured me in a whisper, never ceasing to kiss me.
Finally, I nodded, and his fingers lowered my underwear until it fell to the ground.
My fingers went to his tie, and I pulled it off.
"I want to see you," I said, stepping back.
He smiled tenderly and kissed the tip of my nose. He guided my hands until I could intertwine them at the back
of his neck.
I watched him without moving as he unbuttoned his pants. A second later, he had me pressed against the wall.
He looked at me sweetly, with dilated pupils, preparing me with his gaze, conveying a thousand things. He
kissed me, and then he entered me. I had started taking birth control pills months ago, and I appreciated the
sensation of truly feeling him without barriers. A muffled cry escaped me, and his hand moved to cover my
mouth.
"You can't make noise," he warned me, still immobile.
I nodded, my nerves on edge. He began to move, slowly at first and then picking up the pace. Pleasure started
to build inside me with each of his thrusts, his hand moved away from my mouth and caressed me where I
yearned for his touch the most.
"Nick..."
"Wait..." he requested, holding onto my thighs with a firm grip. I closed my eyes, trying to hold back.
"Let's do it together," he whispered in my ear.
His teeth seized my lower lip, biting it, and the pleasure inside me intensified to the point where I couldn't hold
it any longer. The scream that escaped my lips was muffled by his mouth on mine. Immediately, I felt him tense
until he groaned, joining me on that journey of infinite pleasure.
I threw my head back, trying to control my breathing, while Nicholas held me tightly in his arms.
"I love you, Nick," I declared, as his eyes locked intensely with mine.
"You and I aren't meant to be apart," he replied.

NICK

Damn, how much I had missed her...! The days had felt endless, not to mention the weeks. I had to work twice
as many hours to be allowed to return earlier, but it had been worth it just for this.
"Are you okay?" I asked, my breathing still rapid. We had never done it like this, never. With Noah, I had
self-control, I treated her as she deserved, but this time I couldn't wait. The moment I saw her, I wanted to
make her mine.
Our eyes met, and an incredible smile spread across her lips.
"It was..." she began, but I silenced her with a kiss. I was afraid of what she might say; I had gotten lost in the
heat of the moment. That night, she looked more stunning than ever in that virginal dress she wore, driving me
crazy.
"I love you madly, you know that, right?" I affirmed, pulling away from her.
"I love you more," she replied, and as she did, I noticed a bit of blood on her lip.
"I hurt you," I observed, caressing her lower lip with my finger and wiping away the tiny droplet of blood that
had emerged. Damn, I was a brute, an idiot. "I'm sorry, freckles."
She licked her lip absentmindedly... looking at me.
"This was different," she said a moment later. And it truly had been.
I stepped away from her and fastened my pants. I felt guilty; Noah deserved to make love in a bed, not against
a wall, in a quick and dirty encounter.
"What's wrong?" she asked, looking at me with concern.
"Nothing, sorry," I replied, kissing her once again. I lowered her dress over her hips, trying to contain the urge
to pick up where we left off. "Happy birthday," I wished her with a smile, taking out a small white box from my
pocket.
"Did you bring me a gift?" she asked, excited. She was so sweet and perfect... Just seeing her put me in a
good mood, just touching her made me feel electrified.
"I'm not sure if you'll like it..." I commented, suddenly getting nervous.
Her eyes widened as she looked at the box. "Cartier?" She looked at me, surprised. "Have you gone crazy?"
I furrowed my brow and shook my head, waiting for her to open it. When she did, the little silver heart
shimmered in the darkness. A smile appeared on her face, and I let out a relieved sigh.
"It's beautiful!" she exclaimed, touching it with her fingers.
"This way, you'll carry my heart wherever you go," I declared, kissing her on the cheek. It was the cheesiest
thing I had ever said in my life, but she had that effect on me, turning me into a complete, love-struck idiot.
Her eyes met mine, and I saw them glistening with tears.
"I love you, I love it!" she exclaimed, and then she kissed me on the lips.
I smiled and asked her to turn around so I could put on the necklace for her. Her neck was exposed with that
dress, and I had to kiss her on the nape. She shivered, and I had to take a deep breath to resist taking her right
then and there. I put on the necklace and watched as she turned around with a smile.
"How does it look on me?" she asked, looking down.
"You look perfect, as always," I replied.
I knew we had to go back, and it was the last thing I wanted to do at that moment. I wanted to be alone with
her, well, truth be told, I always wanted to be alone with her, but I especially desired it in that moment, after so
long without seeing each other.
"Am I presentable?" she asked innocently.
I smiled.
"Of course," I replied as I buttoned up my shirt and picked up the tie from the floor.
"Let me do it," she requested, and I burst out laughing.
"Since when do you know how to tie a tie?" I asked, knowing well that she had never known how to do it; in
fact, I was the one who used to do it for her when I lived in that house.
"I had to learn because my attractive boyfriend left me in exchange for a bachelor pad," she retorted as she
finished tying the knot.
"Attractive, huh?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Let's go back, or everyone will know what we've been up to."
I wished everyone would find out, so those little brats would stay away from my girlfriend. However, despite
everything we had experienced together, to most people, we were still step-siblings.
I let her go first and smoked a cigarette in the meantime. I knew Noah didn't like it when I smoked, but if I
didn't, I would go crazy. Before leaving, something caught my attention. Her underwear was lying on the
ground beneath my feet.
Had she gone without wearing anything underneath?!
When I returned, I saw her talking to a group of friends. There were two guys in the group, and one of them
had his hand on her back. I took a deep breath to calm myself and approached them. As soon as Noah saw
me, she wrapped her arm around my back and rested her head on my chest.
I calmed down. That gesture was enough.
"Have you seen Lion?" I asked her as I scanned the area, searching for my friend. I was a little worried about
him. He had called me when I was in San Francisco and told me that his brother, Luca, would be released from
prison soon. He had been in jail for four years, caught selling marijuana, and no one could prevent him from
being locked up. To be honest, I wasn't thrilled about Luca getting out. It's not that I wasn't happy for Lion, after
all, my friend was alone and his older brother was the only family he had left, but I knew how his brother could
be, and I wasn't sure if it was in Lion's best interest to have a former convict by his side at this stage of his life.
"Well, I haven't seen him in a while, to be honest," Noah replied. "Anyway, I think you should go say hello to
our parents now..." she added, and I instantly tensed up.
After Noah's kidnapping, it was very clear that our relationship was serious, and our parents didn't like it one
bit. Since then, they made sure to remind us every time they saw us together. I knew my father wouldn't allow
such a scandal. After all, we were a public family, and he made it very clear that, outwardly, we had to continue
being just siblings. But I was surprised that Raffaella wasn't on our side. On the contrary, from that moment on,
she looked at me with suspicion, which drove me crazy.
"Oh, look! My son has returned," my father exclaimed, putting on a fake smile.
"Dad," I greeted him briefly. "Hello, Ella," I greeted Raffaella in the best tone I could muster. To my surprise,
she smiled and gave me a hug.
"I'm glad you could make it," she declared, her gaze shifting to Noah's. "I was very sad until I saw you."
I looked at Noah, who blushed, and winked at her.
"How's it going at the law firm?" my father asked.
The bastard had put me to work under Steve Hendrins, an authoritarian jerk who was running the firm until I
gained enough experience to inherit leadership. Everyone knew I was perfectly qualified, but my father still
didn't trust me.
"Exhausting," I replied, trying not to glare at him.
"As life itself," she blurted out then. Her words put me in a bad mood. I was tired of hearing those kinds of
nonsense. I had stopped behaving like a brat months ago, I had taken on the role that was expected of me,
and I never stopped for a minute. Not only was I working for my father, but I also had one more year of college
and many exams ahead of me. Most of my classmates didn't even know what a law firm was yet, and I had
more experience than many who already had their degree. However, my father still didn't trust me.
"Would you dance with me?" Noah interrupted at that moment, avoiding me from spouting some nonsense.
"Sure."
I led her to the dance floor. They had put on a slow song, and I pulled her close to me carefully, trying not to let
my bad mood or anger affect the only person who mattered to me at that party.
"Don't be angry," she pleaded, caressing the back of my neck. I closed my eyes, letting her touch relax me.
My hand lowered to her waist, grazing the small of her back.
"It's impossible for me to be angry with you, knowing that you're not wearing anything under that dress."
"I didn't even realize," she replied, stopping the caress.
I looked at her. She was beautiful.
I pressed my forehead against hers. "I'm sorry," I apologized, observing her and delighting in her beautiful
eyes.
She smiled at me a second later.
"Will you stay tonight?" she asked then.
Damn it, the same argument again. I had no intention of staying there. I had moved out months ago, and I
hated being under my father's scrutiny. I couldn't wait for Noah to move to the city; everything would be better
with her by my side.
"You know I won't," I said, shifting my gaze to the people who occasionally glanced at us. Siblings probably
didn't dance like this, but at that moment, I didn't give a damn.
"It's been two weeks since I last saw you. You could make an effort and stay," she pleaded, her tone changing.
I knew that if we kept going like this, we would end up arguing, and that wasn't what I wanted.
"To sleep apart? No, thanks," I snapped in a bad mood.
She looked down silently.
"Come on, freckles, don't be angry... You know I hate staying here, I hate not being able to touch you, and I
hate listening to the nonsense my father has to say to me."
"Well, then I don't know when we'll see each other because I can't come to the city this week. I'll be busy with
final exams and graduation."
Damn it.
"I'll pick you up, and we'll spend some time together," I suggested, calming my voice and caressing her back.
She sighed and looked away.
"Don't make me feel guilty, please. You know I can't stay here," I pleaded, holding her face and forcing her to
look at me.
She silently watched me for a few seconds.
"You used to stay before..."
Her eyes finally returned to mine.
"We weren't together before," I concluded.
Noah didn't say anything more, and we continued dancing in silence. Raffaella's gaze never left us the whole
time we were on the dance floor.
3

NOAH

Already, almost all the guests had left. Jenna was bidding farewell to my mother, and Nick was smoking a
cigarette with Lion in the backyard. I looked around at the mess left behind after the party and felt grateful for
having someone who cleaned the house every day.
After so much socializing, I enjoyed having a moment alone to appreciate how lucky I was. The party had been
incredible: all my friends were there, and they had brought me spectacular gifts that now sat in a huge pile on
the dining room sofa. I was about to take them to my room when I felt someone wrapping their arms around my
waist.
"You've received a lot of gifts," Nick whispered in my ear.
"Yes, but none of them compares to yours," I replied, turning to look into his eyes. "It's the most beautiful gift
I've ever received, and it means a lot because it's from you."
He seemed to ponder my words for a moment until a hint of a smile appeared on his lips.
"Will you wear it always?" he asked. A part of me understood that it was important to him, that in a way, he had
put his heart into that necklace, and I felt a warm intensity in the center of my chest.
"Always," I affirmed.
He smiled and pulled me closer. His lips brushed against mine with infinite tenderness, almost too tenderly. I
leaned in to deepen the kiss, but he held me in place.
"Do you want more?" he offered, his lips hovering near mine. Why didn't he kiss me properly?
I opened my eyes and found him staring at me. His irises were spectacular, a light blue that sent shivers down
my spine.
—You know I do," I replied, my breath quickening and nerves on edge.
"Come with me tonight."
I sighed. I wanted to go, but I couldn't. First of all, my mother didn't like the idea of me staying overnight with
Nick, and most of the time, I lied and said I was at Jenna's house. Besides, I had to study. I had four final
exams that week, and everything was at stake if I failed.
"I can't," I responded, closing my eyes.
His hand slowly traced down my back, a delicate caress that sent shivers down my spine.
"Yes, you can, and we'll pick up where we left off in the garden," he replied, his lips brushing against my ear.
I felt butterflies in my stomach, and desire grew within me. His tongue caressed my left earlobe, and then his
teeth took over... I wanted to go. But I couldn't.
I stepped back, and as I opened my eyes and looked into his, I shivered... I had missed that dark gaze, that
body that both intimidated me and provided infinite security.
"We'll see each other soon, Nick," I said, taking another step back.
His eyes scrutinized me, a mix of amusement and annoyance.
"You know if you don't come, there will be no sex until your graduation, right?"
I took a deep breath. He was playing dirty, but it was true. I wouldn't have much time, let alone to go down to
the city to see him, and if he didn't want to come to my house because he didn't want to run into his father...
"We can go to the movies," I suggested, my voice faltering.
Nick burst into laughter.
"Alright, as you wish, darling," he accepted, approaching me and placing his lips on my forehead in a tender
and chaste kiss. He did it on purpose, that much was clear. "We'll meet in two days to go to the movies. And for
whatever comes next."
I wanted to hold onto him and beg him to stay. I wanted to tell him that I needed him because only with him did
I stop having nightmares, that it was my birthday that day, and it was his turn to give in and please me. But I
knew that nothing I said would make him stay under that roof.