Chapter 2

After the first treatment failed, I spent all day reviewing what went wrong.

Physiological dysfunction stems from subconscious defensiveness.

An oppressive space like an underground parking garage would make him vigilant. What if I switched to somewhere he's most familiar with?

The next day, I timed my entry into the dream perfectly.

The scene was set in his actual bedroom, at the Bruno estate.

I opened his closet, picked out a white shirt and put it on, then sat leaning on his bed.

The door opened and Rodriguez walked in carrying a glass of water.

When he saw me sitting on the bed, his footsteps froze.

He stared at my exposed legs, Adam's apple bobbing.

"Come here." His voice was hoarse.

I walked in front of him.

Smirking, I took the glass from his hand.

Then I tilted my head back and poured the water down my own neck!

The water soaked through the white shirt, exposing my body's spring scenery completely.

Rodriguez's pupils contracted sharply.

I pushed him down onto the bed!

"Tonight, I'll take good care of you."

I straddled him on the bed, dripping wet, hands braced on either side of his waist, looking at him.

The excitement of freely touching my beloved made my fingertips tremble.

I leaned down and pressed against his lips.

Then I moved downward, kissing past his Adam's apple and collarbone. I used my teeth to grip the buttons of his shirt and pulled them open one by one.

His chest muscles were exposed. I pressed my lips against them, tongue tracing the lines of his abs.

Throughout it all, Rodriguez lay face up, hands tightly gripping the sheets beneath him, veins bulging on the backs of his hands.

He remained passively receiving, with only increasingly heavy breathing.

I was so excited I was nearly going crazy.

When my lips stopped at his belt buckle, I felt his abdomen instantly stiffen.

I opened my mouth to bite open his final line of defense.

Then a hand grabbed me.

Rodriguez suddenly turned the tables, flipping me over and pinning me beneath him on the bed!

"Had enough fun yet?!"

He roared, yanking off his tie and binding my hands to the headboard.

"Rod... Mr. Rodriguez..." I was even more excited by this turn of events.

Rodriguez's hands, through the soaked shirt, caressed my body.

Everywhere his palms touched, my skin burned.

Being touched by my beloved, excitement and desire made me arch my back in response.

Soon, as long as he breaks through his psychological barrier...

I closed my eyes, waiting for that final penetration.

But he stopped right at the edge of losing control.

Rodriguez buried his face in my neck.

His body pressed tightly against mine as he deeply inhaled my scent.

Then the bedroom around us began to melt away.

He was forcing himself awake, dispelling this intimate moment.

I snapped my eyes open and punched the pillow.

So close! Why would he rather bury his face in my neck sniffing than just go for it?!

The next morning, I woke up with dark circles under my eyes and decided to go to his house to investigate.

As soon as I entered the living room, I saw Rodriguez sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper.

And beside him, pressed close to him, was his fiancée, Vivian.

"Well, if it isn't Natalie."

Vivian glanced at me and rolled her eyes.

"Coming over to mooch breakfast first thing in the morning. Really treating this place like your own home."

I glanced at her, too lazy to engage.

But Rodriguez suddenly put down his newspaper.

"Pour me a glass of water."

No choice. I walked to the coffee table to pour water.

As I bent down, I felt a gaze land on me, full of aggression.

I followed my intuition and looked over.

Rodriguez's eyes were fixed on my exposed collarbone and legs.

That look was exactly the same as last night!

My heart jumped. I steeled myself and handed him the water.

The instant we exchanged the glass, his fingertip brushed across the back of my hand. My whole body trembled.

Vivian sensed something was wrong, her expression darkening. Just as she was about to explode.

"Your hand is so cold."

Rodriguez dropped this comment and went upstairs with the glass.

Vivian remained in place, trembling with anger.

I lowered my head, staring at the back of my hand.

Something was off. Had he recognized me?!