GREAT REVIEWS ON CHAPTER 8! Thank you ALL so much! So I take it you all like it?

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I knew my eyes were wide with surprise but I woke up to see Carlos. And at first it was great, waking up and seeing his lovely caramel skin and endless eyes but then... I realized I woke up to Carlos!

"Carlos?" I asked, surprise evident in my voice. His large hands radiated heat into my back as he rubbed in calming circles.

"Calm down. You're at my house. You fell asleep and I don't know where you live." Damn, he was too good. He read me like an open book. I leaned up without thinking and kissed him lightly. Where the hell did that come from Steph!? He hummed in approval and kissed the tip of my nose. God, he is so damn adorable.

"So, do I have to leave soon or do I get to spend some time with you?" I asked in what I assumed sounded like a flirty voice.

"If I had my way, you would never leave." He ran a hand down my arm and I knew I blushed. I could feel the heat in my cheeks. I leaned forward slightly anticipating another kiss but we were pulled apart by a loud voice.

"MAMI! CARLOS HAS A GIRL IN HIS ROOM!" We both looked at the door and met a cocky looking girl with her arms crossed and a smirk on her face.

"Stephanie meet my sister Celia." I just flung myself backwards and buried my face in a pillow in hopes of hiding my blush. How mortifying!

"So Carlitos, who's the puta?" She asked in a rude voice. What was that she called me?

"Watch your mouth!" He snapped. She looked surprised. She rolled her eyes and walked away. "We should go down."

With a large and heavy sigh I sat forward, worrying my lower lip between my teeth. "What did she call me, Carlos?" I asked a little hurt that his sister didn't even know me and was criticizing me already. I wanted his family to like me. I wanted his family to like me? Woah, slow down Stephanie.

He looked a little sad. "It doesn't matter." He whispered and kissed my forehead before tugging me into a warm hug.

I know it will sound weird but I could honestly hug him forever. It just felt so right. This was where I was meant to be. I could hear the steady beat of his heart and it amazed me how calm he was. The heat radiating from him warmed me to the core. I grabbed the back of his t-shirt and nestled my face into the crook of his neck and inhaled the scent that was purely Carlos; warmth and spice and passion. Everything you could ever want but never dreamed of.

"I'm sure your mother is waiting." I mumbled.

"She can wait for a moment more." He said softly.

We laid down on the bed without slipping from the embrace. Our legs tangled and I tucked myself closer into his side. I was so comfortable just being close to him that I began to drift to sleep again. He went to pull away and I whined a bit and pulled him back to me. He chuckled but returned to my side. His breathing evened out and I know I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

I know this chapter is SO very short, especially compared to my usual chapters but it needed to be because...

SURPRISE! Mama Manoso's point of view for the next chapter!

I hope you liked it even though it was shorter. Don't be a stranger to reviews! This writer needs 'em! They give me ideas about what to go with and what worked well.

THANKS AGAIN!