Oh my gosh, hi! I hope you all have had an amazing holiday! I'm so sorry for the long wait! A lot went down while I was writing this chapter right after I caught up the Spanish version... I was battling this stupid virus. It's really annoying, so please take care of yourselves out there! This corona is no joke. Anyways...I'm better and I'm back! I hope you enjoy this scary chapter...because the rest will be even saucier! With explicit and romantic scenes! I can't wait! Happy reading!

(I do not own this Novela!)

Chapter 40

Enraptured and completely weary from their recent love making, Franco and Sarita continued to hold each other, both enjoying their peace as they snuggled under a thin violet blanket.

Franco wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him as he peppered tender but light kisses down her neck and behind her shoulder. She sighed sleepily, a small but content smile forming on her lips as her eyes fluttered shut.

"How are you feeling?" Franco asked her, nestling her head gently on his other arm for her comfort.

"I'm fine, Franco." she replied, her voice as soft as a whisper.

"Are you sure?" he teased her, his free hand sliding under the blanket, his fingers anxious to caress her.

"Yes ..." she uttered, already falling asleep.

Franco pressed his lips against the back of her fragile neck, bestowing chaste little kisses down to the curve of her shoulder. His free hand began to slide down her waist to her hips, and he couldn't help but sigh in pleasure, lavishing her delicate feminine curves and praising her warm, satiny skin.

He sensed her tense against him when his fingers dared to touch her between her legs.

Sara's hand gripped his wrist and her legs intertwined with his.

"Not yet, Franco..." she gasped, still succumbing to sleep.

"So you're not fine." Franco teased, kissing her while withdrawing his hand from beneath the blanket to wrap his arm around her once more.

"Tell me the truth.." he pressed on and he chuckled when he heard her murmur something in annoyance. "Does it hurt?"

"Franco, sleep." she muttered.

"Sarita.." he moaned, kissing her neck fervently while his free hand began to tickle her sides. Sara quickly was brought out of her calm reverie and tried to fight Franco's ticklish assault.

"Franco!" she shrieked, curling herself into a ball while distilling Franco's wrist.

He saw her wince once he seized his ticklish attack. He pulled her back to him and constricted his hold on her, showering her cheeks, neck, and bare shoulders with apologetic kisses.

"Let's just sleep, Franco." she sighed, her eyes closing. "I'm very tired…"

"As you wish." he muttered, kissing her softly at the base of her neck one last time.

He held her more to him as he finally rested his head above hers. His fingers interlaced with hers when she snuggled more against him.

Her head rested delicately on his left forearm, where he could make out her soft breaths of slumber while his fingers played in her hair.

"Franco?" he heard her say quietly.

"Sarita." he responded, his heart thumping calmly in his chest as his eyes began to close.

"I'm a little sore." she whispered, her little fingers caressing his right hand that rested beneath her covered breasts.

Franco tightened his hold on her, and brought his head up to kiss her tenderly on her cheek.

"I'm sorry…" he whispered to her within each little kiss. "I can make it up to you…"

He heard her giggle when he lowered his head to grant her more soft kisses down her neck. He felt her fingers enclose around his hand as her back arched provocatively against him.

The blanket that once covered her chest, slid down, unveiling her bare breasts.

Already clouding with need, Franco's hand let go of hers to tend to her blossoming taut mounds.

She gasped when he began to cup them, and trembled lightly when his fingers grazed her pert nipples. Franco's lips continued to brand her neck and shoulder with tedious, wet kisses as his hand began to travel down from her heaving breasts to her navel. His hardness throbbed against her perfectly round and firm ass, while his hand tried to grasp the blanket from preventing him to where he needed to please her.

Sarita's dainty fingers wrapped around his wrist, discouraging him from going any further.

"Another time, Franco…" she sighed, holding his hand back below her breasts. "Let's just sleep, please."

Franco let forth a disappointed groan, but managed to calm himself down as he laid his head back above hers. He rested his chin on top of her head as his arm pulled her flush against him.

He felt her tense and cover her breasts with the blanket. Franco couldn't help but let out a smirk. Even though they had just made love, Sarita still insists on being herself. Incredibly discreet. Not that it was a problem. In fact, he loved that about her…it makes it all the more tempting to get her out of her shell.

In this case…He knew he needed to let her rest. He couldn't be selfish, especially because her day had been hell before seeing him. It made him seethe with fury knowing that the bastard Escandon had the nerve to lay his hands on Sara again. And Sarita being Sarita, had the nerve to deny that horrible purplish welt on her left eye. Franco had a feeling something else was hiding in her home that Sara wanted to keep quiet. But when it comes to Sarita, there's nothing she can keep from him, especially if it deals with her safety.

Perhaps once they awake from their amorous slumber, Franco could speak to her to stay with him. He can't sustain another thought on that asshole harming his girlfriend anymore.

He looked down to where she slept so soundly and his anger began to fade. Instead his heart strummed calmly in his chest, knowing for a fact that he wants to spend the rest of his life with this beautiful, temperamental, and brave young woman.

His eyelids began to grow heavy with sleep as he snuggled Sarita closer to him. He inhaled her sweet scent and interlaced his fingers with hers. In a matter of seconds, Franco found himself succumbing to a deep slumber of his own.

"SARITA!"

Franco and Sara were disrupted from their amorous slumber, both startled and horrified to see Gabriela, her eyes protruding from her skull while her teeth gritted together at the sight of her daughter laying naked with one of her sworn enemies.

He felt Sarita freeze next to him as she clutched the violet blanket to her chest. He held on to her, helping her cover herself as her mother's wide eyes scanned their indecency.

Franco could feel Sarita shudder in utter mortification and fear. He placed a calm hand on hers, which still continued clutching the blanket to her chest for dear life. He felt her breath catch in her throat as her eyes glistened at the sight of her deranged mother.

It then occurred to Franco that the only thing that could truly scare Sarita was her own mother. Seeing that older woman glowering over them, especially at her own daughter made Franco realize that Sara cannot go home with this woman. Even though she was her mother, Franco had a strong feeling that Sarita would be a lot safer staying with him.

"H-How could you do this to me?" stammered the seething widow as her eyes glared furiously at Franco and then to Sara.

Both Franco and Sarita came to their senses and immediately sprung to their feet to recollect their discarded clothes.

The blanket that Sarita clutched, dropped to the ground once she found her undergarments and quickly began to put it on.

In the midst of his own dressing, Franco heard Gabriela cry out in more rage. He turned to see that Sarita had slight droplets of dried blood on her thigh and it infuriated Gabriela to see that one of her most prized daughters had just been deflowered by Franco, one of her enemies.

Gabriela continued pestering them until they were almost decent, and even tried to get her hands on Sarita whenever she could. Franco, through getting dressed, had to stop her every now and then, his own anger rising at the audacity of anyone trying to harm Sara.

Franco looked to where Sarita stood only in her white bra as she rapidly fastened the front of her jeans and belt.

"How could you do this, Sarita?" screeched her mother, rattling with so much anger Franco could feel the entire outhouse shake. "I can't believe what I am seeing! I swear to you, Sarita!"

Franco saw a speck of danger flash in Gabriela's eyes as they continued glaring at the poor, mortified Sarita, who hastily threw on her blouse.

"How could you?" she cried on, taking a step forward to where Sarita stood but Franco blocked her path.

"A justification is not in order, ma'am.." said Franco, buttoning his shirt. "And we don't regret it at all."

"You shut your mouth!" she snarled at him. "Don't speak to me because I could kill you!"

"Well you might as well do it!" Franco shouted back, and then pointed to where Sarita continued struggling with her buttons. "Because I'm obliged to answer to her! I'm willing to take full responsibility–"

"You bastard!" Gabriela screeched, raising her hands to strike him. "Damn you to hell!"

Franco distilled her fists from launching at him again. Sarita quickly rushed to Franco's side as he continued detaining her furious mother.

"Mom, stop it!" shouted Sara, trying to deter her attention from Franco.

"Don't you defend him!" added Gabriela, striking Sara hard in the face, causing her to fall over by Franco's side. "Damn you! Damn you, Sarita!"

Franco immediately sought to sustain Gabriela from hitting her daughter again, his anger spiking at the sheer nerve of her abuse.

"Listen to me." cautioned Franco, holding her as firmly as possible. "Don't you dare lay a finger on her!"

"Get off me!" screamed Gabriela, whose eyes were severely set on Sarita while she struggled under Franco's restraining hold.

"Take it out on me instead!" Franco shouted. "If you touch her, I don't know what I could do!"

Franco was seeing red as soon as he let go of Gabriela. The hell he was going to allow this madwoman to harm Sara.

"Franco!" shouted Sarita, grabbing a hold of his arm. "Please, Franco. I think it's best if you leave. It's better if I stay and deal with my mom. Please, just go."

"And let this crazy old woman mistreat you?" he retorted at the seething old widow, who looked as though she'd rip through a whole village without mercy.

He looked back at Sarita, who looked completely petrified as she glanced over at her furious mother. It pained him to see her that way. So frightened and obviously lost. How could it cross her mind that he'll just abandon her when she needs him the most?

"Sara…" He told her, wrapping his fingers around her wrists. "You come with me to my ranch. It's my responsibility to protect you."

He made to pull her towards the door, but she remained still and withdrew her hands from his.

"Franco, please understand me!" Sarita pleaded. "I need to speak to my mom alone. We'll meet later, I promise you."

Franco stared into her eyes with incredible disbelief. He needed her to come home with him. It didn't seem safe for her. What kind of a man would he be if he'd just left?

"And if I don't, Sara?"

"And if you don't, you won't have problems with my mom, but with me, because I'm the only one responsible for what I do and no one can do that for me."

Franco was stumped by her reluctance, but was so angry and defeated to respond to her since there was some truth in her noble words. He understood he would probably worsen their situation if he weren't around when she spoke to her mother. But seeing the flaming anger in her mother's face, kept him wanting to stay and protect her. There's no way he could leave her alone. He refused to.

It was Sarita.

The little temperamental woman, he had grown to love…and had made love to.

He couldn't leave her.

Then again. It was Sarita.

If she wishes for him to leave, then he shall…but will hold on to her promise to see him later.

Lost for words, Franco picked up his jacket and made his way towards the door.

He stopped in his tracks, his eyes growing alight with rage when he saw who might have been responsible for Gabriela's unwelcomed intrusion.

A few meters away stood Fernando Escandon, whose thin lips quirked up in a malicious smirk. Franco heard the door open behind him.

"I should've known you weren't alone in this." Franco seethed, glaring back at Gabriela. "You were with this meddling bastard, weren't you?"

Gabriela dismissed his glare and turned back to throw a disgusted look at her daughter.

Sarita simply bowed her head in shame. Franco felt the fire boiling in the pit of his stomach seeing how this was affecting Sara. He even began to emit fumes once he glanced back at Escandon, who shook his head and laughed in utter amusement.

Franco squared his shoulders and decided to advance on Fernando, who still looked rather pleased with himself.

"You couldn't stand seeing me and Sara alone so you just had to rat us out to Gabriela, right?" began Franco.

"You think I'm pending on your every move?" barked Fernando, also advancing on Franco.

"Of course you are!" shouted Franco. "You have "snitch" written all over your face!"

Fernando only smirked shamelessly.

"You're right." he jeered. "I'm just trying to unmask the dirty tricks you play along with your brothers. So I really don't feel ashamed of being called a snitch."

Fernando scanned Franco up and down, a knowing smirk playing on his lips as he raised an eyebrow.

"You must be very satisfied, aren't you? '' taunted Fernando, still eyeing Franco mischievously before looking behind him to where Gabriela and Sara stood. "The only little dove left with all her feathers was Sarita to fall for your traps…but from the looks of it… you've just unplucked her!"

Fucking bastard.

Franco has had it.

With one clean swipe, Franco managed to deck Fernando right in the mouth.

It's one thing to intervene in his and Sara's relationship but to say something so demeaning…completely crossed the line. At this point, Franco wanted to kill the bastard.

Fernando in turn delivered Franco a blow. In a matter of seconds, the two men were entranced in their own fight while Gabriela and Sarita shouted at them to stop.

Franco had Fernando pinned to the ground as he pounded his face in with his already bruising fists.

"Franco!" he heard Sarita as she tried to hold his arms down. "That's enough, Franco! Stop!"

"Let him go or I'll blow your brains out, Franco Reyes!" shouted Gabriela.

Franco looked up to see Gabriela pointing Sarita's shotgun at him. Sarita quickly pulled Franco off Fernando. While the angry widow pointed the weapon at him, Franco's eyes were transfixed on Fernando, who slowly staggered back to his feet.

Sarita tightened her hold on Franco's arm as her mother advanced on them with the shotgun. He felt her hand trembling on his arm.

"I don't want any more vulgar scraps on my lands, you scumbag!" Gabriela went on, her fingers toying with the trigger.

"Mom, No! Don't you dare!" screamed Sara, pulling Franco behind her as if to shield him.

Gabriela ignored her daughter and still kept her aim.

"Get out of my sight, Franco Reyes!" she demanded. "If I see you again on my lands without my authorization, you will leave me no choice!"

"Well, you're going to have to shoot me then!" barked back Franco. "But I won't let you harm Sara!"

Gabriela's eyes flashed dangerously and continued aiming the shotgun at him, while Fernando Escandon took hold of Sarita's horse and proceeded to gallop away.

Franco wanted to trail after that coward, but Sarita's trembling grasp tightened around his arm.

"Franco…" she said, her voice desperately fearful. "Please leave…just go! She won't do anything to me. Please leave…"

Franco watched as Escandon fled away on Sara's horse, his mind reeling with all the anger and hate he had for that meddling bastard.

He felt Sara's hand touching his face, turning his attention back on to her.

"I promise you, I'll see you later." she told him, her eyes wide with more desperation.

Franco clenched his jaw, his heart hammering at the thought of leaving her alone with her mother, who still pointed at him with the shotgun.

She's still insisting on him leaving her. Especially with this crazy armed woman. Franco didn't care if it was her mother, all he cared about was Sara's safety. He wanted to say no, but seeing the pleading desperation igniting in Sara's eyes made him yield.

"Just tell me one thing…" Franco began to say to her, tilting her chin up with his fingers so she'd look up at him. "I'll be very impatient if you don't show up. I'll go find you with or without your mother's permission. Do you hear me, Sarita?"

Sara nodded and glanced warily back at her mother. Franco followed her gaze and glared at Gabriela, a knot twisting in his stomach at what this crazy old woman could possibly do to Sara.

Without a final word, Franco stalked back to his horse, collecting his belongings as he went, while Gabriela followed his every move with Sara's shotgun.

Once he mounted his horse, Franco took one more glance back at Sarita and his heart wrenched painfully in his chest, seeing her standing there looking so lost, nervous, and even frightened.

An instant regret began to eat at him when his horse led him back to his house. He wanted to turn back and force Sara to come with him, but decided to cling on to her promise.

All the while he thought of her promise, Franco knew deep down that something was about to go wrong.

He shouldn't have left her alone.

Hi! So yeah... the first few segments of this chapter, I imagined a little playful pillow talk between them. I also imagined Sarita being the kind of woman who'd fall asleep and leaving her man wanting more.

The first time I watched the show, especially after their first time being becoming one, I felt so so bad for Sarita. The poor girl had a VERY bad day. First, she gets a beat down from Fernando. Second, her mom is dismissive about the assault. Third, she can't even enjoy the aftermath of her first time with her love. Lastly, she gets another horrible punishment from her own mother, nearly marring her for life! The poor girl had it rough! She was bedridden and weak. Ugh! I can't imagine! She should've left with Franco.

Anyways... let's move on, shall we? Chapter 41! Let's go!