The fight for control I
Camila's POV
As a child I was never a morning person even though I tended to wake up early most days.
I was grumpy and snappy so much so that mamá would make me walk back upstairs so that I could wake up on the right side of bed. It was just a tediously annoying way of telling me to fix my attitude, but it worked.
That was up until she got so busy that she wasn't there when I woke up, which reversed the effects of her discipline, thus making my mornings horrible.
Although this morning wasn't exactly one of those bad mornings, it soon turned into one the moment I fluttered my eyes open and almost had a heart attack once I realized I wasn't in bed alone.
I was so freaked out last night that Jacob offered to lay with me until I fell asleep, and I guess somewhere along the way he also fell asleep-in his uncomfortable suit.
We didn't do anything other than fall asleep, and I was in an unflattering pair of grey joggers and matching sweatshirt but I still found myself feeling extremely awkward about it.
Jacob was extremely sweet and respectful but sleeping next to him just wasn't it.
It was wrong of me and something I shouldn't have been doing but I found myself comparing it to Alejandro.
And no one compared to him.
It was dangerous territory to venture into but I couldn't help my mind that automatically compared the bland feeling of waking up in bed with Jacob, to the way my stomach and heart would flutter when I would wake up next to him.
He made me feel safe, protected and cared for.
But most of all his touch was what affected me so much. It wasn't in a sexual way, it was the intimate sentiment.
The way he would show his affection through innocent absentminded touches like the tickle of his fingers lightly tracing my skin as he would draw circles. The feeling of his rough hand on my cheek. The tenderness of his fingers massaging my scalp.
I couldn't explain it, but those touches meant so much that I found my body craving them.
They said what words couldn't, that he cared for me and he might not have been ready to say it out loud but he sure as hell wasn't afraid to show it.
His words and actions hurt me but his touch made me feel beyond anything I was used to. It was so affectionate and loving that it carried into the times we were sexual. Alejandro didn't realize it, but he was already doing what he claimed he couldn't.
He was mixing sex and intimacy.
Too bad he wasn't aware of it nor would he come to terms with the truth unless he came to the conclusion on his own and by then it would already be too late.
I forced my mind away from Alejandro and instead did the right thing by offering Jacob breakfast, seeing as it was still early.
He had agreed, but that agreement turned into hesitation the moment we walked into the foyer bypassing all the men who looked like they were heading out, but not before making their sudden distaste for him evident.
They were all silent but I didn't miss the glares and subtle nudges, showing Jacob just how unwelcome he was here.
They all seemed to be on the same page- a page I suspected was handed out by Alejandro. One that had a step by step telling them to treat Jacob like an imposter. It got so bad that Jacob ended up leaving before we could even make it to the dining room for breakfast.
And when I asked them what was up, none of them gave me a clear answer. Instead they just filed out of the house.
Luckily I had caught Divy at just the right time and with a little pestering she was able to give me all the information she had. Which wasn't enough but it was still something.
Apparently she heard from one of the maids, that overheard Ethan telling the other men how they were all excused for breakfast under Alejandro's order.
And to make matters even weirder, I walked into breakfast to see that the table was only set with two plate settings.
Alejandro's and mine.
And then my eyes naturally trailed to the figure looming over the plate adjacent to mine, to see Alejandro's broad form occupying the chair at the head of the table.
The sight of him sitting in his chair as he focused his attention on piling food onto his plate had my guard instantly going up.
Not only was he extremely silent but I couldn't get a read on the man. All I could do was take my seat and bask in the uncomfortably awkward silence as I piled food onto my own plate.
But I could feel it. Something was off and his current demeanour was warning me to proceed with caution.
Not to mention he was simply sitting there without even acknowledging me, why would he excuse all the other men if he was just going to end up ignoring me?
"You have spring break coming up, yes?" The sudden sound of his powerful voice snaps me out of my thoughts. His voice is deep and scruffy like he hasn't talked in a while and when I look over to see his attention on his plate, I observe his face from my angle noting the day old stubble on his chiseled jaw and his slightly messy hair.
I would have voiced my concern had I not been trying to distance myself from him, so instead I clear my throat and go back to my food. "Yes." I confirm.
Spring break was coming up. Granted it was the end of May but my school did things a little differently and pushed it back to a few weeks before our final exams.
I already had an inkling where this conversation was going and so to keep it short and concise I decided to get right to the chase."I already figured I wouldn't be going on the school trip."
When all he does is simply hum in response, I start scarfing down my food, needing to get out of this awkward situation. "That's besides the point, I wanted to let you know that I will be away on business for that week." He replies swiftly.
It's my turn to hum but I offer no real response as I continue shoving eggs into my mouth. It's only when he speaks next that I pause.
"And you will be accompanying me."
I snap my head up, swallowing the mouthful of eggs. He still doesn't look my way but that doesn't stop me from furrowing my brows in distaste once I think about what that would actually entail. Having to be around a hot tempered workaholic.
"No thanks." I say.
Alejandro pauses and for the first time all morning he lifts his head up to look at me. His indifferent gaze meets mine before he sends me a hard look. "I wasn't asking." He states, his tone firm and absolute.
His mind is set and there's no changing it.
Instead of arguing with him about it, I purse my lips and look to my breakfast. I wasn't going to give him the reaction he wanted and something about the way he was watching me told me he wanted me to fight him on it. He wanted to get a reaction out of me.
I didn't know why, but I knew it would result in nothing good. I wasn't going to show him that he had an affect on me. "Where to?" I hum, in that same tone of indifference I had been using with him.
"Miami." His voice is hard and I can feel his eyes on me.
I have no idea where he's going with this or even thinking, but I know I don't like it because it's making me feel like I have less control here.
"You have business for an entire week?" I get out, trying to distract myself from the intimidation radiating from the man sitting adjacent to me.
"Business, amongst other things." He replies ominously, his tone making my eyes trail up to him.
He's starring straight at me expectantly, his breakfast disregarded and his demeanour that of a powerful businessman. One that's in charge and daring me to push further, show I care.
But I don't.
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