Part Ten: The Choosing
His kiss was everything she’d imagined.
And nothing like she’d expected.
Gentle at first. Almost reverent.
Then deepening with four years of restrained want.
She melted into him.
Her hands fisting in his shirt.
Finally allowing herself to feel everything she’d been denying.
When they finally broke apart—both breathing hard—his forehead rested against hers.
“I’ve wanted to do that for so long,” he murmured.
“Why didn’t you?” she asked, breathless.
“Because you deserve to be chosen, not claimed. Because I needed you to come to me freely. Without obligation or gratitude clouding your judgment.”
He pulled back slightly.
His thumb brushing her cheekbone.
“Because I’m in love with you, Serena Costa. And I needed you to love me back. Not the idea of safety I represented.”
Tears pricked her eyes.
“I do love you. That’s what I’ve realized these past months. That what I feel for you is nothing like what I felt for Henrique. This is clear-eyed and certain. This is choice.”
His smile was devastating.
“Then choose me, cara. Every day. Let me choose you back.”
“What does that look like?” she asked.
“Us together. Given who you are and what you do.”
His expression grew serious.
“It looks like honesty. No secrets about my business. Even the parts that aren’t pretty.”
He paused.
“It looks like protection. Not because you’re weak, but because you’re precious to me.”
Another pause.
“It looks like partnership. Because I need someone who challenges me. Who sees me clearly and loves me anyway.”
“I can do that,” she said softly.
“All of it.”
He kissed her again.
Slower this time. Thorough and claiming.
When they finally separated, she was flushed and breathless. Her lipstick thoroughly destroyed.
“What about work?” she asked practically.
“The office will talk.”
“Let them.”
Masimo said it unconcerned.
“You’ve earned your position through competence, not favoritism. Anyone who suggests otherwise will answer to me.”
She laughed despite everything.
“So possessive.”
“You have no idea,” he murmured against her temple.
“Four years of watching you. Wanting you. Keeping my distance. Now that I have you, I’m never letting go.”
The words should have frightened her.
Echoes of Henrique’s controlling jealousy.
But coming from Masimo, they felt different.
Not a cage. But a promise.
Not possession. But devotion.
“Good,” she said, surprising them both.
“Because I’m not planning to go anywhere.”
They stood there in the morning light.
The city waking up below them.
Finally allowing themselves to be what they’d always been meant to be.
Together.
