Page 81 of Death

I finally understand why Santiago is so sure I’m the one for him.

I brush my fingers over the glass that protects the photo before I put it back in the box. Just as I place my gift carefully on the ground beside my chair, servers come toward us, carrying trays. I wait as they set down a platter of fruit and mimosas.

When they leave again, I smile at Santiago, doing my best to keep from getting emotional. “I’ve had amazing birthdays before, but none of them beat today.” Wanting to give him something in return, I admit, “The attraction is there.” I lift my hand and take hold of the ring again. “And I am developing feelings for you. You’re very special to me.”

Santiago tilts his head, his expression so tender, I feel it in my heart. “I have all the time in the world, Ciara. There’s no rush.”

He picks up his glass and raises it in the air, so I quickly take hold of mine, then he toasts, “To a lifetime of getting to know each other and growing old together. Whether it’s as friends or lovers, I’m the luckiest man alive to have you in my life.”

I’m going to do my best to heal so I can give Santiago what he wants.

I take a sip of the mimosa before setting the glass down and helping myself to a wedge of watermelon. Taking a bite, I glance at the ocean, thinking how lucky I am that he was the one who found me in that field.

Out of everyone he knows, all the women he’s saved, he’s chosen me.

I turn my gaze back to his and say, “When we return home, I’m going to make an effort to get to know the people in the village. I’ll go to the group meetings.” I take a breath before I add, “I’m going to do everything I can to fit into your world.”

“And I’ll be there every step of the way to support you,mi sol.”

We enjoy some of the fruit, and the nervousness returns when Santiago pushes his chair back and rises to his feet.

“As much as I want to keep you to myself all day, I have to share you with Grace.”

I stand up and wipe my hands on my sides, my heartbeat speeding up.

When he moves closer to me, I lift my arm and press my hand to his chest. “Can you lean down a little?”

He wraps one arm around me before he does as I ask. My stomach erupts with butterflies as I push myself up a little higher, and I feel his breath on my lips before I press my mouth to his.

Even though our lips are only touching, my abdomen clenches unbelievably hard. I lift my other hand to Santiago’s face, my fingers brushing over his jaw as I pull back an inch.

My heart thunders in my chest when our eyes lock. I feel his chest expand as he takes a deep breath, his features tensing with a mixture of desire and determination.

Then his arm tightens even more around me, and I’m tugged off my feet as his mouth crushes against mine. His other hand slips into my hair as he tilts his head, and his tongue thrusts into my mouth.

The moment is so intense it feels like my insides are vibrating. I taste Santiago, and the way his lips nip and massage mine, has me breathless in seconds.

He leans more into me, and I wrap my arms around his neck as I return the kiss. Not because I’m forced to or I owe him for everything he’s done for me, but because I want to.

He’s the first man I’m kissing out of my own free will, and I let all the good and exciting emotions he’s making me experience wash over me like a cleansing rain.

Santiago groans into my mouth, and it sends a powerful wave of tingles through me. My body shudders from how mind-blowing his mouth feels on mine, then the kiss grows wilder, and I swear I feel it all the way to my toes.

His tongue dominates mine, his teeth tug at my lips, and breathing becomes an afterthought. Time falls away, and nothing matters but Santiago kissing me.

SANTIAGO

Holy fuck.

Feeling her tongue tentatively brush against mine, has my self-control slipping fucking fast.

I struggle not to lose myself in her, so I don’t take things too far because this is a huge fucking step for Ciara.

But then I feel her body melt into mine, and she moans softly.

I’m so fucked.

My fingers tighten in her hair, and I devour Ciara, kissing her with so much heat and want, my lips begin to tingle and all I taste is her.

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