Page 73 of Star Claimed Omega
‘Morning,’ he rasped, his timbre delicious, timbred, and rough from sleep.
‘Morning,’ she murmured.
She moved past him to the counter and stood on tiptoe, stretching for a mug perched just beyond reach on the upper shelf, her fingers brushing the edge but failing to grasp it.
With a quiet huff of frustration, she peeked over her shoulder.
‘Can you -?’ Her voice came softer than she intended. ‘Could you help me reach a cup, please?’
Santi was there in two steps, his presence closing in like a heat wave.
He didn’t speak, just reached over her, his arm grazing her own, chest hovering near but not quite touching.
His scent, clean linen, bourbon, and the essence of all that was heated and elemental.
His sinewed palms encircled the mug with effortless ease.
For a beat, they stood still, close, skin almost brushing. Her breath caught, his violet sapphire eyes glimmered, and a tug of a smile played on his mouth.
Fokk, this man was handsome.
He lowered a cup to her, his fingers grazing hers, lingering just a beat too long.
She glanced up, and their eyes locked.
His gaze burned steady, watchful, like a storm scarcely leashed.
She swallowed, cheeks flushing, and turned away too fast, clutching the mug like a shield to pour a quickkahawawith trembling hands.
‘I was still wondering whether it’s still OK to stay here,’ she muttered, trying for casual but failing, her voice too soft, too shaken. ‘I don’t want to overstay.’
He didn’t move from his place in front of her. ‘Like I said before, there’s no need to rush,cariño,’ he murmured. ‘Take your time. The right home will find you.’
How he said it, timbred and unhurried, a rare softness from such a hard-edged man, enveloped her chest and squeezed.
She tipped her face to him.
‘Sante,’ she whispered, stepping in closer without meaning to. ‘That means a lot.’
Before she could overthink it, she rose on her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek, quick and soft.
Her lips grazed skin warmed by morning sun and sleep.
She pulled back, her inhale uneven, as their eyes locked.
His arm came around her, then the other, drawing her flush against him.
His body was solid and robust, and the sheer heat of him stole her breath.
Was he trying to make her lose her shit entirely?
One hand splayed across his bare chest, the other clutching her precious freakin’ cup, as her heart thrummed.
That’s when she perceived a pulsing energy, a palpitation that sparked where their bodies touched.
The throb of it reverberated through her, magnetic, pulling her in, making her limbs hum.
He tilted her chin up with one finger, the pad of it gentle beneath her jaw.
