I wake slowly, my body deliciously sore in all the right places. As consciousness seeps in, I become aware of the strong, muscular arms wrapped around my waist, holding me close. A smile tugs at my lips as memories of last night flood my mind - Stefano's touch, his kisses, the way he worshipped my body with a reverence that left me breathless and aching for more.

He introduced me to pleasures I never knew existed, stoking the flames of my desire until I was burning, consumed by a need only he could satisfy. Even now, just the thought of it sends a shiver down my spine, my skin tingling with remembered bliss.

I turn carefully in his embrace, not wanting to wake him. In sleep, his handsome face is relaxed, the lines of tension smoothed away. He looks peaceful, younger, his dark lashes fanning against his cheeks. My fingers itch to trace the strong lines of his jaw, to brush the stray curl from his forehead, but I resist the urge, content to simply drink in the sight of him.

It still feels surreal, waking up in Stefano's arms. I expected anything but this after he found out about my past. I couldn't be happier to be wrong about how I assumed he would take things.

Carefully, I try to extract myself from his hold, wanting to freshen up before he wakes. But the moment I shift, his arms tighten around me, pulling my body flush against the hard planes of his.

"Where do you think you're going?" he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep. The sound sends a thrill straight to my core.

"I was just going to take a shower," I explain, my hand coming up to rest on his chest. I can feel the steady thump of his heartbeat beneath my palm.

Stefano's lips curve into a wicked grin. "There's no need. I'm just going to get you dirty again."

Heat floods my cheeks at his bold words. "Stefano!" I admonish, swatting at his chest. But I can't help the smile that tugs at my mouth, the anticipation that coils low in my belly.

"Come back to bed, luce del sole," he coaxes, tugging me closer. I go willingly, melting into his embrace.

As much as I long to lose myself in him again, reality intrudes. "I need to go home," I sigh, tracing idle patterns on his skin. "My family must be worried sick."

As much as I long to lose myself in him again, reality intrudes. "I need to go home," I sigh, tracing idle patterns on his skin. "My family must be worried sick."

Stefano's hand comes up to stroke my hair, his touch gentle. "They know you're with me. I asked your friend you were with to let them know."

His words make me pause. Stefano's sudden appearance at the club clicks into place - he must have flown to Miami to surprise me. But a question nags at me.

"Wait," I say, propping myself up on an elbow to look at him. "How did you know I was at that specific club?"

Stefano's eyes gleam with amusement. "I just did."

"But how?" I press, curiosity getting the better of me.

A secretive smile plays at the corners of his mouth. "I have my ways," he says, his tone teasing yet final.

I roll my eyes but can't stop the warmth that blooms in my chest. "Why am I not surprised?"

He leans in, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. "I only do it because you mean so much to me, Andrea."

Emotion clogs my throat. I close my eyes, breathing in his scent, letting it ground me. "I know. But I really do need to go home, even just to change."

Stefano sighs but relents, his fingers still playing through my hair. "Fine. But only to change. You're spending the rest of the day with me."

I grin, stealing one last quick kiss before slipping out of bed. I pad to the bathroom and feel Stefano's gaze on me, hot and heavy with promise. It takes all my willpower not to turn around and climb right back into his arms.

But we have time, I remind myself, giddy with the knowledge. All the time in the world to explore this new facet of our relationship, to lose ourselves in each other again and again.

With a secret smile curving my lips, I step into the bathroom, already counting down the minutes until I'm back in Stefano's arms, where I belong.

***

I give Stefano a quick peck, savoring the warmth of his lips for a moment before reluctantly pulling away. As I walk inside, exhaustion weighs heavily on my limbs. I'm looking forward to some much-needed sleep before our rescheduled date tonight. Stefano's unexpected business call had thrown a wrench in our plans, but I can't help feeling a flutter of anticipation for later.

As I pass the living room, a familiar voice cuts through my tired haze. "Andrea!"

I turn to see Emily rushing towards me, her face a mix of relief and lingering worry. Before I can react, she pulls me into a tight hug, her arms trembling slightly. "Oh my god, I'm so happy you're alright," she exclaims, her voice thick with emotion.

Confusion furrows my brow for a moment before realization dawns. The club. The dissociation. Of course, she'd be worried after seeing me in such a state.

"I'm fine," I assure her, gently extricating myself from her embrace. A pang of guilt hits me for causing her such concern. "You didn't need to come over."

Emily's eyes search mine as if looking for any hint that I might be downplaying my distress. "I just needed to see you," she explains softly. "To make sure you were okay."

Warmth blooms in my chest, touched by her genuine care. "That's really sweet of you," I say, offering a reassuring smile. "But I promise, I'm good now." I spread my arms, inviting her to see for herself.

Emily visibly relaxes, the tension draining from her shoulders. "I'm so glad," she says, reaching for her purse. "I should get going then."

"Let me walk you out," I offer, leading the way. As we near the door, Emily's phone chimes. She glances at it, and I watch as her entire demeanor transforms in an instant. Her shoulders tense, jaw clenching as her fingers tighten around the phone. The warmth drains from her face, replaced by a hard, brittle expression.

"Did you tell your brother which hospital my mom's at?" she asks abruptly, her voice sharp and tight.

The sudden change in Emily's mood is jarring. Gone is the concerned friend from moments ago, replaced by someone guarded and on edge. I can practically feel the anger radiating off her in waves as she waits for my response, her eyes boring into me with an intensity that makes me want to take a step back.

Surprise and confusion war within me. "No, I didn't," I reply, baffled by the sudden change in topic. "Why would you think that?"

Emily's eyes narrow, a mix of suspicion and barely contained rage flashing across her face. "Because somehow, my mom's hospital bill has been cleared. By a donation under the name 'Mi Preciosa Flor.'"

"Am I supposed to know who 'Mi Preciosa Flor' is?" I ask, confusion furrowing my brow.

Emily's eyes flash with a mixture of pain and anger. "Yes, you should. It's your brother!"

I shake my head, still struggling to process this information. "How can you be so sure? Anyone could use that phrase, even if it's not a real name."

"I'm sure," Emily says, her voice cracking, "because that's what your brother used to call me." Her eyes grow distant, lost in a memory. "He would always say that if he found himself in a field of beautiful flowers, I would always be the most precious one to him."

I watch as tears begin to well up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. The raw emotion in her voice catches me off guard.

"Why won't your brother leave me alone?" she asks, her words coming out in a rush now. "It's been so many years. Don't I deserve to move on?" Her voice rises, tinged with desperation. "Why would he pay my mom's hospital bills? Does he want leverage over me?"

With that, Emily breaks down completely, her shoulders shaking with sobs. I don't say anything, knowing that words are inadequate right now. Instead, I pull her into a tight hug, offering the silent comfort I know she needs.

I release Emily from our hug, my mind reeling. "Emily, I know it was wrong of him to pay the bills behind your back, but I don't think he did it to have leverage over you. Why would he need that?"

Emily's eyes flash with a mixture of pain and frustration. "You wouldn't understand."

"Then make me understand!"

She takes a deep breath, her words coming out in a rush. "Men like your brother need control over women like me. It's in their blood to be possessive over women who don't want them. They'll do anything to make a woman who refuses them theirs." Her voice breaks slightly. "You come from a wealthy family, Andrea. No man can have leverage over you. It's not that easy for me. Santiago's paid my mom's medical bills - now he can come for his reward anytime, in any way."

I shake my head, struggling to process her words. "No, I don't think those were Santiago's intentions."

Emily's laugh is bitter. "Trust me, that's exactly his intention. But I won't let him have me."

A knot forms in my stomach. "I don't believe he wants you that way, Emily. But how do you plan to make sure he doesn't have leverage over you?"

Her eyes harden with determination. "I'll give him what he thinks he can't have. Make him fall in love with me, then break his heart ten times worse than he did mine."

"I will give him what he thinks he can't have so he will get bored and leave me alone forever," Emily declares, her eyes flashing with determination.

"You want to take Santiago back so he'll get tired of chasing you? You believe he's only pursuing you because he can't have you?" I don't know why, but I don't believe that is the case, I do not think Emily should either.

"Yes, I am going to make him fall in love with me and then break his heart ten times worse than he did to mine," Emily declares, her eyes flashing with determination.

"Emily, I don't think that's a good idea. What if Santiago is telling the truth and is actually in love with you?" I'm angry at my brother, but I can't bear the thought of him getting hurt. He's still my brother, after all.

Emily scoffs, "I don't believe him. I'm going to give him a taste of his own medicine."

"I know what he did was wrong," I say gently, "but revenge isn't the answer. It'll only lead to more pain for both of you."

"I know I shouldn't," Emily admits, her voice wavering slightly. "But this is the only way your brother is going to leave me alone."

I shake my head. "There are other ways, Emily."

"No, there aren't, Andrea," she cuts me off. "Just give it up. I've already made up my mind."

I can see the hurt and anger burning in her eyes, and I realize how deep her pain runs. "Is there nothing I can say to change your mind?"

"Nope," she says firmly.

I sigh, feeling torn between my loyalty to my brother and my concern for my friend. "I really wish you'd reconsider this plan of yours. But since you won't, I just want to tell you to be careful. Santiago is a man who doesn't like to be messed with."

A bitter smile twists Emily's lips. "I know. That's why I'm going to make sure to break his heart in a way he'd never imagined."

As Emily turns to leave, I can't shake the feeling that this plan will only end in more heartbreak for everyone involved. I silently pray that, somehow, they'll both find a way to heal and move on without causing each other more pain.