CIARA
Santiago leads me down stairs, carved out of rocks, and when the ocean finally comes into view, the sight is spectacular.
The sand is white, and the water stretches as far as the eye can see.
When I glance to my left, I see a marquee, white linen wrapped around the pillars, and curtains lightly flapping in the breeze. A table and two chairs stand beneath it.
As we walk closer, there are rose petals sprinkled on the table, and in the middle is another gift.
Santiago’s really gone all out to make my birthday special.
He pulls a chair out for me, and when I sit down, I say, “This is…” I shake my head as I search for the right words, “…it’s incredible. Thank you, Santiago.”
He takes a seat across from me and gives me a smile that can only be described as loving.
It begins to sink in that he really cares about me, and it has me feeling emotional. Tears jump to my eyes, and when one escapes, I let out a burst of laughter while wiping it away. I look at the waves rolling in, and suck in a deep breath before I turn my attention back to the extraordinary man sitting across from me.
“You make me happy,” I admit.
“I’m glad to hear that, mi sol.” He leans forward and pushes the gift closer to me. “Do you want three guesses?”
I wipe the tear off with my fingertips and smile at him. “Same deal as before?”
He nods. “Definitely.”
This box is bigger than the others, and it doesn’t look like it contains jewelry. I think for a moment, then ask, “Is it clothes?”
Santiago shakes his head, the corner of his mouth lifting.
I pick up the box and shake it. The gift makes a thudding sound as something moves inside.
I have no idea what it can be.
“I don’t know what it is.”
His eyebrow lifts. “Are you giving up?”
When I nod, his expression turns serious as he asks, “Are you sure?”
I know he’s referring to the kiss. “Yes. I’m sure.”
His mouth lifts in a hot smile. “Open your gift, mi sol.”
I rip the paper off and take the lid off the box. Seeing gold silk, I frown, but when I pull the fabric out, it reveals a framed photo.
It was taken at the dinner we had with Grace and Dominik. We’re all smiling.
I look happy.
Then I see Santiago’s expression, and there’s no doubt that he’s looking at me with love.
My chin starts to tremble as I lift the photo out of the box.
“I wanted you to see what I see when I look at you,” Santiago murmurs.
I keep staring at his face in the photo, instead of looking at myself, and I see everything I’ve ever wanted.
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.
I fucking brand her with my tongue and teeth, and she lets me.
Ciara is mine, and I won’t let anyone take her away from me.
Not Grace. Not Dominik.
No one.
I begin to slow down the kiss, my lips just nipping at hers as I enjoy the final moments before I finally lift my head. Her eyes are closed, and she has a dreamy expression on her face that instantly has me grinning like a fucking idiot.
Her eyes drift open, and they’re filled with so much wonder, I fall deeper in love with her.
I don’t think I’ll ever stop falling for this woman.
The dreamy look changes to wonder, then she presses her face into my neck and holds me as if her life depends on it.
I still have her pinned to my body, and without any effort, I carry her away from the marquee.
When she begins to lift her head, I murmur, “I’m just moving us to a comfortable spot.”
I walk to where there’s a little area with a branch that’s broken off from a tree, and sitting down on the warm sand, I lean back against the branch. Ciara straddles me and leans against my chest.
The servers come out to clear the table and take down the marquee. It takes too long for my liking, but finally they leave, and I’m alone on the beach with my woman.
I look down at her while brushing my palm over the side of her face and hair. “You good?”
Nodding, she glances up at me, her eyes sparkling with happiness. There’s no fear. No trauma.
Thank fuck. I didn’t trigger her.
I lean down and press a kiss to her forehead, but when I pull back, I’m surprised when she tips her head even more, clearly giving me an invitation.
Not letting the chance slip through my fingers, I place my hand against her jaw and seal my mouth to hers.
My heart clenches in my chest from the sheer gravity of getting to kiss this breathtakingly beautiful woman. My thumb brushes along the edge of her jaw, memorizing the silky feel of her skin. She presses closer to me, and I swear, this moment couldn’t be more perfect.
Her lips move in perfect sync with mine, her breath warming my skin every time she exhales.
Fuck, this isn’t just a kiss. It’s a promise of a beginning between us and the life we’ll spend together forever.
Pulling her closer, I get lost in Ciara, not wanting this moment to ever end.
I lose track of time, just worshiping her mouth. She becomes my every heartbeat, the reason I breathe.
When I end the kiss and lift my head, it’s to see a look of amazement in her eyes before she rests her cheek against my chest and stares at the waves lazily rolling in to shore.
Easing my hold on her, I begin to trail my fingers up and down her back, while my other hand wraps around her neck. I brush my thumb over her skin, taking in the soft feel of her.
After a few minutes, she whispers, “I wish you were my first kiss.”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “Yeah? Who was your first?”
She’s quiet for a couple of seconds, then she answers, “Nolan.”
Ice pours over me, my muscles instantly tensing. “I’m sorry, mi sol.” I press a kiss to the top of her head. “What Nolan did was abuse. It doesn’t count as your first.” I bring my hand to her chin and nudge her face up so she’ll look at me. “I’m the first man you kissed. It’s the only thing that matters, mi sol.”
A gorgeous smile spreads over her face, and wrapping her arms tightly around me, she nods. “You’re right.” She snuggles against me again and places her hand over my heart. “I’ll never forget today.”
Neither will I.
