Page 36 of Corrupted By the Shadow King (Hope Runs Deep #3)
ALEX
E verything on this planet has balance, whether we realize it or not.
The first time I saw Nikki, I questioned if El Diablo had sent her to collect my soul, or if she had descended from El Cielo instead.
I was certain she was an angel. Actually, now that I think of it, I asked her if we were in Heaven.
But even in my delirious state, I was confident she was there for me.
I spent the beginning of our relationship searching for a virtue within myself to be worthy of her, without ever finding anything substantial.
Honestly, I’ll never be deserving of her, but that doesn’t mean I’m not thankful.
I don’t understand why she loves me, but I refuse to take her for granted.
I never want us to become the people who treat love as an expectation and not something earned, though, I don’t think Nikki is capable of doing that.
Her gentle heart is far too big and forgiving for her to ever regard love as something mundane.
Abuelito taught Angel and me the importance of respect and to demand it using any means necessary. Loyalty was driven so far into our bones that we wore every scar and abrasion on our bodies as an oath of allegiance to our family, the Luna Cartel.
Our family exchanged I love yous as much as any other, I guess, but never took the time to explain what loving someone truly meant. For most people, love must come naturally, but Nikki and I had to go through Hell and back for her to teach me.
We face new challenges daily, trying to make our relationship work.
Some days are harder than others. When Kevin kidnapped her and Erin, I was terrified I’d never see her again.
There had been monumental events throughout my life where I was afraid, but I’d never expected such crippling fear as I did when we searched Kevin’s house and came up empty-handed.
She rushed into my arms, and it was as if everything that had happened before that moment lost its importance. I didn’t care if I was good enough for her, and she didn’t mention the things troubling her. The only thing that either of us cared about was the other.
“ Mi amore ,” I whisper in her ear, rolling over in my bed, hearing her footsteps approach.
She stops at the edge of the mattress, and I drink her in as if she is the smoothest bottle of anejo tequila. I smile, staring at her in amazement. I love this woman, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to how she makes me feel when I’m with her.
She leans down to kiss me, and I yank her on top of me.
“Alex, I just got off work. I’m dirty and need a shower.
” She swats at my chest, but she has a glimmer in her eyes, and her lips are curled up in a cute smile.
She doesn’t like her scrubs touching the bed, but she won’t be in them long, and she’ll be okay.
The sheets can be washed; nothing will ever stop me from showing her how much she means to me.
“So, let me get you dirtier.” I bite her neck, and she quietly moans, leaning into me.
She sits up and straddles me, nibbling on the corner of her bottom lip.
My breath catches, and my heart rate accelerates.
Her cheeks are flushed a delectable shade of pink as she considers my offer. She is breathtaking.
She sighs, which tells me I’ve won. “If I get you sick?—”
“Then you get me sick. I don’t care, hermosa . As long as you’re with me.”
Shaking her head as she softly laughs, she holds my gaze for a moment before taking off her shirt. “I love you.”
“ Te amo más .”