Warning this chapter mentions sex and physical abuse.

***
Pedro

***
I'm a mess. An absolute mess. I'm walking to Freddie's, my heart in my throat and my body quaking from fear and anticipation. I can't decide if this meeting is good or bad. I couldn't gauge the tone of Ana's voice when we spoke.

For a fleeting moment, I think that Ana won't even arrive. That she'll get cold feet and stand me up. It's not as though I wouldn't deserve that sort of treatment after everything I put her through all those years ago.

Yet...I remember only days ago, how she was nestled in my arms, flush against my body as I made love to her, kissing and caressing, how that felt. It was incredible and amazing and surreal. It was like a damn drug. It made me higher than anything I've ever done before.

I reach Freddie's, go inside and immediately, I see Ana, sitting in the back, her form encased in shadows. That's how she appears to me: a mist, a shadow, something that I can't hold on to. How easily she slips through my fingers. It causes a strange ache deep inside me.

I slowly walk over, trying to smile at this mysterious woman sitting here, an unreadable expression etched into her beautiful face. The ache is growing and I all can think is: I want her.

I sit down, making  no attempt to touch her. I notice how her fingers are trembling and I have to hold myself in check so that I don't swoop in, taking her in my arms and kissing her until neither of us can breathe.

"Hey." Ana's voice is low. She smiles a little uncertainly as I nearly reach across the table to touch her fingers.

"Hey. It's been a minute." Ana nods, clearing her throat and appearing to gain some courage. My heart is dragging on the floor of the bar. This is it; she's going to tell me that she never wants to see me again.

"Yeah. I hope you understand, I needed some space to think things over." I nod. My own fingers are beginning to tremble and I clasp my hands together, forcing myself to stop.

"Of course. Whatever you needed, mi amor." Ana nods, her lips pursed. She suddenly touches my hand and I nearly jump up from the electric pulse that hits me. It was like the first time I touched Ana.

"Pedro, I miss you."

"I miss you, too," I whisper, pinching Ana's fingers between mine. Her eyes are locked with mine. Time freezes. Neither of us move. It's like someone hit the pause button and we're unable to move forward.

Then suddenly, without warning, time speeds up and I release Ana's fingers and we both straighten up, putting some much needed distance between us. I shift in my seat, wanting Ana to just get things over with so I can return home and drown my sorrows in some strong alcohol.

"I'm willing to give it a try again," Ana is saying. At first, my brain doesn't register what she's actually saying. I think I'm hallucinating.

"What?"

"I want to try again, Pedrito." Ana's eyes look moist. I realize she's crying. Immediately I'm up, out of my seat, coming around to her, gently slipping am arm around her shoulders. Ana immediately leans into my side. I kiss her forehead and she sighs.

"I want that as well," I murmur, caressing her cheek. God, she's more intoxicating than an actual drug. Ana tries to smile, but her lips tremble and she doesn't quite make it.

"Can we go to your place?" Ana grabs my hand, squeezing tightly. I nod, standing, pulling her up and clutching her hand in mine. We weave our way out of the crowded and noisy bar, emerging into the cold evening air. Everything seems so surreal. I keep thinking I'm dreaming and I'll wake up, only to discover it's not real.

***

I wanted to make love to Ana the second we walked through the door of my place. But I wouldn't pressure her into anything. I knew it was going to take time for Ana to trust me again.

"We could watch a movie," I suggest to Ana, who suddenly looks uncomfortable and out of place. Ana nods, relief crossing her face.

"That sounds perfect." Ana shrugs out of her coat, draping it across the back of my couch. I ask her if she'd like something to drink.

"Water." I nod mechanically and walk into the kitchen, grabbing two cups and filling them with ice and water. I hurry over to Ana, accidentally bumping into her and spilling some of the water. It splashes her shirt and I cuss under my breath.

"Pedro. Hey. It's just me, remember?" I look into Ana's beautiful eyes and I lean in for a kiss. Ana kisses me back, the hunger evident. I quickly move, setting down the cups on the table and grab Ana by the waist, drawing her closer. She smiles softly, raking her fingers through my hair, making it stand up straight. Her expression is tender.

"About watching that movie?"

"Yeah, mi amor?"

"Let's get to it, huh?" I sigh softly, hoping that Ana doesn't notice how disappointed I am. She goes to kick off her shoes and gets comfortable on the couch. I'm itching to cuddle beside her, having her warm body against mine, just holding her.

I go grab the remote and gingerly sit down on the edge of the couch, suddenly self conscious about Ana being so near to me. I feel her hand on my arm and I nearly lose control.

"What should we watch?" I hear the hoarseness in my voice. I also feel how...tight the front of my jeans are getting. I groan, squirming.

"Pedro, are you all right?" Ana asks gently.

No! I'm not! You're doing shit to me. Shit that I can't control if you continue to touch me and speak with in that sexy tone of voice!

"I'm...fine," I reply stiffly and turn on the movie channel, flicking through the list. Ana is staring at the TV screen, looking as stiff as I feel.

"Anything is fine, really." I pause, turning to my beautiful Ana. She refuses to make eye contact. I set the remote aside and gently take Ana's hands. She looks at me. I notice how pale she appears.

"I'm going to ask you a question, Ana," I murmur. "And all I ask is that you're honest with me."

"We're not discussing my lame ass ex boyfriend, all right?"

"Why?" I ask softly. I can feel her trembling and it only angers me more. That asshole Kellan Marcus just better hope I don't cross paths with him or beat him until he's incapacitated, permanently.

"Please, Pedro!" Ana is crying now. All murderous thoughts towards Kellan immediately dissolve as I gather Ana against me. She sobs softly. I decide its best not to press anything right now.

"All right. I'm sorry, mi amor." Ana nods, reaching for some tissues to wipe her face and blow her nose.

"Hey wanna watch Peggy Sue Got Married?" Ana gives me a tiny smile and nods.

"Perfect."

***

Ana has relaxed considerably by the end of the movie. She's cuddled up against me, a blanket draped over us, her head resting comfortably on my chest. She's drowsy and keeps fiddling absently with my facial hair. I chuckle. I remember how she used to do that when we were together.

"Hey," I murmur. "Are you planning on staying here tonight?"

"You wouldn't mind?" Ana's fingers are touching my tousled hair. I grin, kissing her forehead. I hear a soft chuckle escape her lips.

"Not in the least. In fact, I'd prefer it."

"That's good because I'm comfortable and don't want to move."

"That's quite all right, mi amor."

"Pedro?"

"Yes, chica?"

"I'll...I'll tell you about...Kellan. On one condition." I don't like the sound of that. However I'm curious as hell and I have to know.

"What's the condition?"

"That after I tell you what I'm about to tell you, you aren't going to hunt the asshole down and assault him."

"Why would I do that?" I snap quietly. "All because he hurt you and treated you like shit?"

"Pedro, please." I sigh. I don't want to agree to that. That asshole deserves to be beat until he's bloody, bruised and broken.

"All right, all right! I agree."

"He...used to....beat on me. Although he wasn't just physically abusive. He was also verbally abusive. He was a major drug addict. I just got to where I couldn't take his shit anymore."

I hold Ana gently. I'm suddenly afraid I'll hurt her. And I could never forgive myself if I did. Ana doesn't seem to think the same way. She's burrowing into my body, clutching at my waist, holding on to me, as she begins kissing my bare chest. I release a frustrated moan.

"Oh, baby," I whisper. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that. It..it was my fault."

"It wasn't," Ana insists. She looks at me, her eyes bright with unshed tears. I cup one of her cheeks in my palm and she turns her head, kissing the center of my palm. I grin and she smiles. I tug her upwards, wanting her as close as she can be. She snuggles against me.

"Just hold me, Pedrito," Ana whispers. "Never let me go."

"Oh, mi amor. I don't think I could, even if I wanted to."

***
There's a loud voice shrieking my name over and over, mixed with profanity and loud banging. I struggle to open my eyes and see Ana nestled securely in my arms. Her eyelids are  fluttering open and she stretches out, yawning.

"Who the hell is that?" I groan, carefully moving Ana and grabbing my pants, yanking them on as I stand, stumbling towards the front door. I unlock it, poking my head out and scowling.

Sasha.

"Would you shut the hell up?" I growl. "One of my neighbors will end up calling the cops if you don't shut up!"

"I've been trying to call you, asshole!" Sasha snaps. "If you'd just answered your damn phone, I wouldn't have to be pounding on your damn front door!"

"I didn't answer your call," I snap. "Because I blocked your damn number, psycho bitch!"

"Excuse me?" Sasha looks taken aback, recoiling as though I've struck her physically.

"Get out of here!" I start to slam the door shut. "And quit stalking me or I'll have you arrested for trespassing!"

Ana makes the mistake of coming over and Sasha catches a glimpse of her, her eyes going wide and her face going pale.

"Who's this bitch?" She trills, her voice so damn high I expect the windows to shatter. "Some call girl you hired to comfort you?"

"I'm his girlfriend, bitch!" Ana makes a grab for Sasha but I quickly shut the door, shaking my head at Ana, who looks angry enough to spit out fire.

"You don't want me assaulting your ex," I say firmly. "Then please do me the same courtesy."

Ana's eyes nearly pop out of her face. She looks startled and uncomfortable. I reach for her and she grabs on to me, clinging as she nestles against my chest.

"I'm sorry." I move, gently grasping her chin between my fingers and tilting her face upwards, kissing her. She smiles, slipping an arm around my waist as we stand there, holding each other.

"It's all good, chica."

"You were in a bad relationship as well?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Same reason why you did, I suppose," I answer. "I wanted to erase my pain. And I didn't care who I used as long as it made me forget."

"That definitely sounds familiar. Oh, Pedro. I feel terrible." I hug Ana tigher.

"It's fine, mi amor. And do you know why?"

"No. Why?"

"Because I have you again. And this time, I'm not letting you go."

"I'm happy to hear that." I kiss Ana again. She leans into me.

"Because I'm not letting you go, either."