Page 152 of The One
I glance at the farmhouse, trying to see it through her eyes.
It’s small and unassuming, nothing like Carloso or any of the other houses we own. By comparison, this place is almost painfully humble.
There are no manicured gardens, no high walls, no obvious security. I sayobviousbecause, of course, I’ve got a system in place. In my position, I can’t afford to be complacent.
An uneasy knot tightens in my stomach as I wonder how Mari will react. She, like me, grew up in luxury.
Will she find this too simple?
I lean over the console, my pulse quickening, and press my lips to hers, needing the connection, maybe even a little reassurance.
I’ve never let anyone into my sanctuary. And Tiero doesn’t count, he’s my brother.
Mari shifts closer, her lips soft against mine. When I deepen the kiss and slip my tongue into her mouth, she moans, her hands finding my neck.
The sound, the heat between us, makes everything else fade away, erasing any worry I had. All I can focus on is her taste, the way she responds to me.
Every time we kiss, I’m falling so much deeper. I didn’t think it was possible, but it’s like a bottomless pit. So is my desire for her.
The need to have her come undone beneath me with my cock buried deep inside her is becoming nearly impossible to manage.
I’m nearing my limit.
And this is only day two of us being together.
I’m doomed.
This little getaway will sorely test my resolve to wait until our wedding night.
But I will.
Mari deserves nothing less.
I pull away when my pants grow uncomfortably tight.
“Come on,” I rasp. “Let me show you our little hideaway.”
When we step out of the car, the air carries the faint, sweet scent of wildflowers, and a hint of earth and sun mixed together. Mari doesn’t move right away, her hands still resting on the frame of the car door as she looks around.
The gentle hum of bees and the occasional chirp of a bird create a serene symphony. I watch her, noticing the way her eyes light up, taking in the surroundings with a look of pure delight. A light gust of wind stirs the strands of her hair, sending them fluttering.
“Teo,” she breathes. “This is wonderful.”
She steps away from the car, and I reach for her hand. She takes it without hesitation, her fingers intertwining with mine.
“And nobody knows about this place?” Her eyes search mine, a hint of curiosity mixed with disbelief.
I shake my head, the corners of my mouth tugging into a small, serious smile.
“No, I bought it through a labyrinth of offshore companies. It doesn’t as such exist. And when I come here, I make sure I can’t be tracked. That’s why I had you leave your phones behind… it’s why we took the Fiat.”
Mari nods, a thoughtful expression crossing her face as she looks out over the landscape, her hand still in mine.
“How come your brother’s only been here with you once? This place is too beautiful to not come back to,” Mari asks, her eyes still taking in the surroundings.
“Both of us can’t disappear together too often. We take over for each other when one of us needs a break.”
“That makes sense.” Mari nods.
