CIARA
Dressed in a pair of cream slacks and a matching sleeveless top that ties around my neck, I’m standing in front of a full-length mirror. I wanted to check my reflection, but instead, I’m staring down at the ring Santiago gave me.
I glance over my shoulder at the shut bedroom door before I quickly remove the necklace. Taking the ring off, I hesitate for a few seconds before I push it onto my ring finger.
When it fits snuggly, a lump forms in my throat.
It was really meant for me.
Not that I doubted Santiago.
Suddenly, there’s a knock on the door, startling me. I swing around and shove my hands behind my back.
The door opens, and Santiago steps in partially. “Ready?”
I nod. “Uhm. I’ll be out in a minute. I just want to use the bathroom.”
He stares at me for a moment, a smile tugging at his mouth. “Take your time.”
When he shuts the door, the air wooshes from my lungs, and I quickly try to pull the ring off, but it gets stuck at my knuckle. My eyes widen. “Oh crap! No. No. No.” I hurry to the bathroom and open the faucet. Squirting some of the liquid handwash into my palm, I rub it over the ring, and when it slides from my finger, I let out a breath of relief.
I rinse the soap off the ring and quickly dry it before putting it back on the gold chain, which I fasten around my neck again.
I wait a few seconds for my heartbeat to slow down before I leave the bedroom that feels like it belongs in a hotel. It’s not as warm and big as the one in the villa.
I find Santiago standing out on the patio, his hands tucked into the pockets of the black chinos he’s wearing. He’s paired it with a black long-sleeved shirt, the top three buttons are undone, and the sleeves rolled up.
I stop near one of the couches and stare at him, taking in the very attractive sight of his broad shoulders, trim waist, and firm butt. My abdomen clenches hard, and I slap my hand over the area where the intense sensation is.
Santiago’s made it abundantly clear he wants a romantic relationship with me.
Since we’ve met, I’ve been a mess, for lack of a better word, but he’s been there every step of the way. Without me having to say a word, he’s known exactly what I’ve needed.
Santiago glances over his shoulder, and seeing me, a smile spreads over his face. He walks to me, and placing his hands on either side of my neck, he presses a soft kiss to my cheek before murmuring, “You look absolutely ravishing, mi vida.”
The butterflies are back in my stomach, fluttering like crazy. I have to resist the urge to touch the spot where the kiss is making my skin tingle.
Everything about Nolan filled me with revulsion, but Santiago makes me feel treasured and…like I could actually have a normal life again.
Wanting to tell him in some way that I find him attractive, I say, “You look very handsome.”
“Yeah?” He lifts an eyebrow at me, then glances down at his clothes. “Do you like the black?”
“Yes.” My mouth tugs up into a smile, but I hate the blush creeping up my face. “I like it a lot.”
“Now I’ll have to change my whole wardrobe to black,” he teases.
“No.” I let out a chuckle. “You look good in any color.”
His features soften with a tender expression, and it has my heart beating faster. Holding his hand up between us, he asks, “Are you ready for dinner, mi pequeño sol?”
I place my palm in his and nod. I’m equal parts excited and scared. I haven’t been to a restaurant for over a year, and I hope I don’t have a panic attack.
Santiago pulls me toward the door but then stops and says, “Let’s scan your handprint quickly.” He keys in a code, and when the scanner is ready, he presses my palm against the black surface and waits until there’s a beeping sound. “All done.”
He pulls the front door shut behind us and places his hand on my lower back. “If you feel like going for a walk alone, it’s fine. You’ll see guards and security cameras everywhere. Just carry your phone with you, so you can call me in case you get lost.”
I’m not sure about going for walks on my own. Not when there’s a chance that I can run into other men.
I glance up at Santiago and ask, “Will you go for walks with me?”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “I’ll do anything you want.”
His tone is suggestive, and there’s a spark of mischief in his hazel eyes that has my face warming with another blush.
After we cross the little wooden bridge over a stream, Santiago wraps his arm around my back and tugs me close to his side. Smelling his cologne and feeling his body heat through his shirt, my abdomen clenches again while my stomach does cartwheels.
My breathing quickens slightly from the attraction I feel for him. When we walk into the big building that seems to be situated between the houses, my attention is drawn away from Santiago, and I glance at all the steel and glass.
I’m led to the restaurant, but seeing it’s empty, a frown forms on my forehead.
We walk to the outdoor area, where Santiago pulls out a chair for me at our table. “Sit, mi vida.”
I’m caught by surprise because it’s the first time a man’s done something like this for me.
Instantly, a smile tugs at my mouth, and taking a seat, I whisper, “Thank you.”
Then he moves his chair closer to mine before he sits down, and it makes my heart melt.
I glance over all the polished black tables and chairs, then ask, “Why isn’t there anyone else?”
“I’ve made sure it will just be our group for dinner,” he explains while taking hold of my hand and placing it on his thigh. “I wanted to make you as comfortable as possible.”
My eyes dart to his face, my heart clenching because he once again did something special for me.
I’ve only done it once before, but this time, when I lean into him and press a kiss to his cheek, I linger and examine how it feels.
My skin warms and tingles rush over me while my heartbeat speeds up incredibly fast.
I pull back a little, then whisper, “Thank you for everything.”
Santiago turns his face, and his eyes lock with mine. Instantly, the atmosphere changes, and it has my heart racing even faster. His eyes flick to my mouth before meeting mine with such magnetism, it feels like something is drawing me closer to him.
“Kristian will be fine with Evinka, right?” I hear Grace’s voice, and quickly move back, my cheeks warming while my mind races to catch up to what just happened.
I think I was about to kiss Santiago on the mouth.
I suck in a sharp breath and press a hand to my stomach that’s suddenly spinning with nerves.
I feel Santiago’s hand wrap around the back of my neck. “Deep breaths. We just shared a normal, intimate moment. Don’t overthink it.”
I nod, but his words do nothing to ease my nervousness.
Grace and I weren’t allowed to date and had to keep ourselves pure for marriage, so I don’t have any experience.
Besides Nolan.
I shove the thought of him away as quickly as possible, and when Santiago brushes his thumb over the skin beneath my ear, it helps me focus on him again.
Grace and Dominik approach the table, and I quickly smile at her. She’s wearing another long dress that swishes around her legs.
Sitting down, her eyes are glued to me. “You look so pretty. Are you wearing new clothes?”
I nod, and wanting her to know how good Santiago has been to me, I say, “Santiago gave me clothes. I don’t know what happened to my belongings.”
The smile drops from Grace’s face, her skin turning pale. “God.” Her features grow tense. “I’m…I didn’t…”
Dominik wraps his arm around her shoulders, then says, “We let your uncle deal with your father’s estate. I’ll reach out to him and ask what he did with your possessions, Ciara.” Dominik’s eyes narrow on me, and I grip Santiago’s thigh tighter. “What happened to your bank account? Your uncle transferred your share of the inheritance to it.”
My voice is barely audible as I whisper, “I don’t know.”
“Just give me the uncle’s details. I’ll take care of everything for Ciara,” Santiago says, his thumb brushing over my skin again where his hand is still resting at the back of my neck.
Grace reaches for me, and I quickly take hold of her hand.
“I’m sorry,” she says, remorse thick in her voice.
I shake my head and give her a comforting smile. The last thing I want is Grace hurting because of what happened to me.
“It’s okay,” I assure her before asking, “Can we talk about something else?”
Nodding, she pulls herself together, then says, “Let’s get some wine.”
As if on command, a female server appears, and Grace says, “Bring us a bottle of non-alcoholic rosé, please.”
“And two whiskeys for me and Dominik,” Santiago adds. He waits for the server to leave before saying, “We’re only here until Wednesday morning. I have to get back to Peru to take care of some business.”
Grace’s eyes dart between me and Santiago, then she asks, “Are you going with Santiago?” She reaches for my hand again, giving it a squeeze. “Not that I’m pressuring you. I just thought you’d like to stay with me.”
I force a smile to my lips, but it trembles because I don’t want to upset her. “I… you just had a baby.”
It’s a lame excuse. If anything, I can help her with Kristian. If the past year had happened differently and I wasn’t separated from Grace, I would’ve been at her side twenty-four seven.
But that’s not the case.
Knowing I have to be honest, I admit, “It’s difficult for me to be away from Santiago.” I give her a pleading look. “He…makes me feel safe.”
And a million other things that help keep the trauma at bay.
“I understand,” she replies, her features softening. “I’m glad you feel safe with him.”
The server brings the drinks, and I let out a breath of relief. When I’m handed a glass of wine, I take a tentative sip before setting it down on the table.
Grace has a few sips before she smiles at me. “What do you think of Santiago’s place in Peru? It’s beautiful, right?”
I nod, my smile widening. “It was intimidating at first, but now it feels like home. I’ve only been in the village once, though. I like sitting outside on the veranda.”
“And what do you think of the island?” she asks.
“The parts I’ve seen are really beautiful.”
Grace takes another sip of her wine, and it has me also picking up my glass.
As I drink some of the pink liquid, she says, “Remember how drunk you got on your twenty-first?” She lets out a chuckle. “We had so much fun that night.”
The memory has a smile tipping up my lips.
“That’s something I’d pay to see,” Santiago mutters.
I shake my head. “I had a headache for days and couldn’t get out of bed. I’ll never drink that much again.”
“It was the tequila,” Grace chuckles.
The server appears again, handing out menus. I glance over the selection of dishes. Suddenly, I realize I have to choose what I want to eat, and it hits me square in the chest.
Up until now, I’ve eaten whatever Santiago’s staff prepared for us, and before that…
Nope, not thinking of that.
Santiago leans a little closer. “What do you feel like eating, mi sol?”
My eyes scan over the menu again, then I turn my head to meet his eyes. “Uhm…maybe the filet?”
“How would you like it prepared?” the server asks.
“Medium to well done.”
“Veggies, fries, or salad?”
“Fries, please,” I reply, and it feels so good to place my order, a grin forms on my face.
I begin to enjoy myself, and when I look at Grace, I can feel the bond I used to share with her strengthening again.
