As Carlos walked down the worn wood stairs that lead to the hotel, some Saints were starting to wake up and repopulate the underground again. He muttered a distracted greet back to those that crossed his way, but didn't want to mingle with the crowd at the main hall and simply headed to his room. In his head, there was only one will. To be alone and think about the events of that morning.

Kicking off his shoes and removing his beanie, he let his body fall lazily on the bed.

He should have been tired, but sleeping felt like miles away.

He stared at the ceiling, pulling his hair backwards with both hands. He felt the need to say it out loud so he could make it real, even if that expanding feeling in his chest would leave no doubt about it:

'The Boss and I had sex. The Boss and I had sex...!' He repeated, suddenly wishing to hug the whole world. The Saint turned his head to the side and his eyes caught on the mirror of the old vanity that used to belong to the hotel.

The man on the reflection smiled back at him in ecstatic disbelief. Something definitely changed about this guy...

Yup, that dude wasn't so lame, he thought. How could he be? Last night the whole gang celebrated his courage; today, the woman he loved gave in to his feelings.

He let out a satisfied sight and then closed his eyes. The images of their passionate encounter started to rush in his mind's eye. His senses could still feel her touch, the scent of her hair; echoes of her voice purring on his ear...

It was about five when he realized that he must've fall asleep.

He stretched and moved towards the signs of life in the hotel, crossing Pierce on his way there. His friend was surprised at the quiet but fulfilled vibe that emanated from Carlos, even if he tried not to show it so much.

'Hey. Blowing those Brotherhood dust labs put you in a good mood, huh? The Boss must be satisfied.'

Carlos nodded and made an ironic joke no one but himself could understand right now:

'It surely did, Pierce. And she is very satisfied, I think.'

He left Pierce and reached the hall, where five other guys and chicks were gathering around the table. Carlos could see their attentive faces listening to The Boss and Shaundi, who discussed the final details of an important drug deal at the airport. He slowly approached the two lady gangsters, who had their backs turned to him, occupied with their exchange.

He was a bit nervous. What if, in spite of everything, The Boss' fear of commitment struck again, causing her to have a change of heart?

Acting casual, he leant on the table, pretending to show interest in what was been said. His hand was right next to hers, hidden by the table, so Carlos slid it closer and discreetly grabbed her little finger with his.

He felt his heart accelerating, The Boss didn't stop talking but curled her pinky around his thumb in response. An almost imperceptible, but unmistakable gesture of affection.

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If Gat didn't know The Boss so well he would have guessed that she was strange and even avoiding him since the party.

Today was another example. Toby gave the Saints contact to his cousin (because he needed help to get a van loaded with drugs pass the cops), and she asked Shaundi for back up. Gat knew about The Boss' competence, enough to be sure that she didn't even need help, but still...

Shaundi could be amazing when it came to tactics, but when the matter was fighting she wasn't the best person to watch your back. Besides, her and Gat blowing shit up together was almost a tradition.

The truth is that The Boss feared that Gat would guess the reason of her weird behavior. After all he was canny, and knew her by heart.

At first she even felt like telling him everything like she always did, but nope. Not this time. What happened in that dorm was... Different. She couldn't just spill it casually while sipping a drink like last time. She was still too confused about it to tell him. He was her best friend but he was also a dude, and not a very sensitive one. This was girl talk. Too bad Eesh wasn't here now... She could really use the advice of a 'normal' person right now.

As the group returned, he watched The Boss toss a small pile of bills on the table of her study, then walk from side to side, worryingly .

'Is everything ok Boss?' He asked, readjusting his glasses to look at her.

'Oh, fine, fine. I'm just a tad worried about the Brotherhood.' She mumbled, feeling bad for bullshiting him straight like this. Gat then just remembered something, and said:

'Last night you told me something about seeing someone differently, what was that about?'

'Did I? I guess I was high, don't quite remember…'

'Oh, no you were not. Cut the crap. This is the second time this week I have to say this, you're getting me worried.'

'Fuck off Gat, I can handle myself.'

She mumbled something that he couldn't understand in Spanish, and he proceeded:

'Wait. Were you talking about someone of our gang?'

Gat's eyes went from side to side, like if he was analyzing a lot of things in his head and trying to put the pieces of a puzzle together.

The Boss whispered with exasperation saying the first thing that came to her head before he had time to think too much:

'It's Pierce! Don't tell anyone, it's Pierce, Gat.'

His face was illuminated, finally having an answer.

'He is a nice guy, but a bit too full of himself, don't you think?'

'Yeah I know, I hate it but it turns me on at the same time. It is just a little crush.'

'Oh, that's why you didn't want to go to the party last night, because he was there. And… That is why you're always making fun of him.' Gat poked his finger at her philosophically.

'Exactly. We women are like this. The more we laugh at someone, the more we are into them.'

'I don't think all women are like this but… Well, you've always been hard to figure. Shit Boss. It's not easy to have a crush on someone you work with. I kind of understand why you're so strange lately.'

'As longs as this is between you and I Johnny. I would be much more comfortable if we never talked about this again.'

'Of course.' He nodded friendly, and to change the subject pointed at the hall where some boys were pilling their new stash of Loa Dust. ' I am going to help them driving this to Tobias', but will need an extra hand. Did you see Carlos?'

That name made some flashbacks pop wildly in her mind.

'Carlos?! Oh. No I haven't. I mean, I did a while ago, at the dorm.' She stuttered.

'Oh, ok.'

'Right. I'm off to bed now. Talk to you tomorrow man.' She patted his shoulder in a hurry and turned without looking back, making her way inside.

Shaundi, the silent witness to this conversation was quick to guess what was going on.

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The Boss closed the door, tossing her coat over the armchair.

She hid her face in her hands in shame, giving herself an involuntary review concerning her performance while lying to her best friend.

'Did I just tell Johnny that I had a crush on Pierce?'

Ok, could have been worst, Pierce was intelligent and kind of good looking but he was... Pierce.

As she took a few steps towards the bathroom to remove her make up, she heard the worn floor crack at the weight of someone's feet.

The late night invader raised his hands a bit and laughed lowly at the gun that was now pointed at his face, jesting:

'Are you going to kill me Boss?'

She scowled, not finding it so cute as she recognized him in time:

'Carlos, you nuts? Are you trying to get shot?'

'No.' He leant, and stole a quick kiss. 'I just came to see you.'

'Yeah. Wise move getting into my room like this. Did anyone see you?' She inquired.

'No ma'am. Can I put my arms down now?' She saw that he was slightly making fun of her, though his eyes had that affectionate flame that had the power to crumble any resistance.

'At ease, soldier.' She smiled, rolling her eyes indulgently and stepping closer to him. As soon as his arms went down, they found their way around her waist.

'So, what did you do all day?' He asked in his accented voice.

'Drug deal.' She replied, taking a cigarette from the pocket of her shorts. 'You?'

'Just hanging around. There's something I've been wanting to ask you...'

She raised her both eyebrows, amused at his shy tone, bidding him to continue.

'How come you changed your mind about me after that day at the Frat?'

She lit the cig, bringing it up to his mouth. He took a drag but coughed it up right after.

'What happened there?'

'I don't really smoke.'

'You don't?'

'Long story. Come on, you didn't answer my question.' He hit her gently in the arm.

She gave him a playfully look and blew the smoke up in the air, while pretending to be searching her memory.

She had to laugh affectionately at the worried look he was now displaying and brushed her thumb against his lower lip.

'That day at the frat crib you showed me another part of you, but then, there was our last confrontation with the Samedi.' She said, her voice becoming lower, caressing his face tenderly with one hand . 'When you came back for me, I was like, wow, that's a man. You were a real hero for me that day.'

Listening to this tough woman talk about him in such a way made that feeling in his chest blow up and grow a million times. He grabbed the hand she used to caress him and kissed her palm, holding it there. 'Can you say that again?'

She chuckled and got her face very close to his, articulating every word.

'Carlos Mendoza, you're my hero... You like that?'

He reclined to her boson, displaying a deep feeling of belonging.

'Mucho...*'

'Te he extranado…**' She said as her cheek touched his head.

He turned it to one side, observing her silently.

It didn't take much for The Boss to understand what was going on. She put of her cig and started to undo the little buttons of her shirt. Carlos sat on the bed as if to tell her to keep going, while he devoured her with his eyes.

She turned to remove her purple denim shorts and underwear, feeling his gaze on her bare skin.

She turned to find out that he abandoned his spot and was now inches away from her.

He got closer and pulled a bit on her wrists, making The Boss part her arms to enjoy the full sight of her breasts and undressed body for the first time.

She almost never dressed herself in a revealing way, yet he couldn't find a single flaw in that hourglass silhouette.

Carlos took one retreating step and his eyes followed her every curve in admiration, stopping shamelessly on the most erotic parts.

Funny enough, she had to look away shyly for a second.

He bit his lip in delight at her reaction and turned her face to him again. Her cheeks were flushed and hot on his hand.

'I didn't know you could be like this preciosa.' He teased, his heart melting even more. 'Are you the shy one now? Hmm…?' He poked her face with his nose, and his voice got deeper, with a mix of love and lust. 'If you're blushing now, imagine if I do this then…'

He lowered his head and took one of nipples entirely in his mouth.

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I sat on the bed and pulled his body closer, shaking. He placed himself between my legs and I felt a huge rush of excitement, anticipating what would follow. Then, just like that, involuntarily smiled at him, for I couldn't believe that I could feel that way or that something so good could happen to me.

He gave me a deep look in return, kissing each of my hands lovingly, and started to remove his own clothing.

I leant to help him with the task. He stood still to make it easier for me as he simply enjoyed watching me do.

While I removed his shirt and started to pull his pants down, his hand played around my hip, his palms then slid up and down my butt.

My lips craved for his skin, I kissed his chest, his stomach, allowing my tongue enjoy his taste.

My hand brushed over the bump on his boxers, massaging it.

It caused him to shiver and interrupt me by urgently placing his hands on my shoulder, pushing down and climbing on top of me, hungrily kissing me all over: On the arms, breasts and thighs.

His breath was very quick then; I could tell that he was having a hard time to control himself and laid back on the bed.

He bit and sucked on my bottom lip, his voice completely blurred:

'Say you missed me again.'

I repeated the words but the end of the sentence was cut as I let out a moan, he slid himself entirely inside me as I spoke. I closed my eyes, it felt incredibly good.

He didn't waste any time and started to move back and forth, nesting his head between my neck and left shoulder, his low groans increasing along with the deepness of each trust.

He was a nice, gentle guy at first. But as our passion got wilder I felt all the intensity of a desire that you would never guess a man as shy as him could express.

He pounded quickly and deep into me, holding my hips in place, it almost hurt, but eventually all my senses converged to a huge wave of pleasure.

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The Boss woke up after a brief hour of sleep, and looked around to recognize her whereabouts.

She felt her head leaning against something warm, and turned her gaze in that direction.

Carlos was asleep, one arm up while lying on his back, head slightly turned to the side, against his hand. A bit of the sun's emerging light caught on the classical lines of his face. He looked even more innocent now than when he was awake, if that was at all possible. Most of his bared torso was emerging from the sheets, she could hear the sound of his regular breath, and couldn't help but grin at his sight, feeling a lot of affection for him.

However, it was time to go. He had to leave her room before it was morning and the corridors would be full of passing Saints.

'Carlos...' She whispered, getting closer. He only moved a bit, still immersed in sleep, so she brought one hand to his hair and stroke it. He mumbled a bit, not really waking up, so she pressed a long kiss on his cheek, calling him again and even more sweetly now. 'Carlos? I'm sorry, but you have to go before the gang is around.'

He took one second to integrate in reality again, but as soon as he understood that she was right next, and caressing him so lovingly, he smiled broadly and pulled her under his weight.

'Hi.' He said, slowly opening his eyes to find hers as she brushed her fingers on his face.

'Hi sweetie.'

He leant and she felt all the warmth of his lips against hers.

'What time is it?'

'Must be six.'

'It's ok. Go out through the other side to towards the balcony, no one will see you cuz the guys always use the big stairs when they come this way.'

She sat on the edge of the bed, looking for her clothes on the floor as a caressing hand rubbed her back and he watched her do. Then he reached for his pants too and when both were ready, headed to the door, hand in hand while been as silent as possible.

She opened the door cautiously and poked her head outside, checking both sides.

It was clear. They exchanged one last kiss before Carlos sneaked out, caring his shoes on his hand to avoid making any noise.

He made his way through the part of the hotel that lead to Old Stilwater. But instead of proceeding to his room, turned again, passing by the statue's hall this time and going up to the street.

He didn't have a full night of sleep in days, but wasn't tired.

And, sleeping right now felt like blasphemy, like wasting a great time to feel alive...

He started to walk around the neighborhood, not caring where to.

Why the early morning is so magical even if you are dead tired from the lack of sleep, yet everything feels so right because you had a great time the night before? I'm pretty sure you all had that feeling or will have it one day, maybe while returning from a party, watching the sky slowly get brighter, feeling a bit cold from the morning perhaps. That exclusiveness of those hours when no one is up yet, and you feel that the streets belong to you, or maybe that everything is quietly connecting to your happiness.

Carlos crossed his arms as the wind made him shiver a bit, thinking that he should have got a coat before leaving, but he was feeling too good to care.

What changed? He didn't know. Everything was the same, except, much better.

He would never have guessed that he could be at that place, after the rashness of the last few years.

But there he was.

'So this is like being fucking happy feels like?'

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* So much...

** I've missed you.

Yeah lemons, because life is dull without them :)

Thanks to everyone who's reading and helping with their advice and support, specially HanajimaFB :3