SANTIAGO
When we pull up to the front of the villa, I quickly get out and rush inside.
I was only gone for eight hours, but when the plane touched down, I checked in with Astrid, and she said Ciara was hiding in the trunk.
I jog to her bedroom, and shutting the door behind me, I hurry to the trunk and crouch down. Opening the lid, my heart breaks, and I regret going to Bolivia.
Ciara peeks at me, and instantly, unshed tears make her eyes shine.
“Mi sol,” I murmur. “Come out of the trunk. Your body must be aching by now.”
Her movements are jerky as she pulls herself out of the trunk, and I see flashes of pain on her face.
“You need to stretch. It will hurt, but afterward, you’ll feel better.”
She straightens up and lets out a soft whimper.
“Lie on the bed,” I say. She slowly moves toward it and crawls on top of the covers, and I keep my tone soft as I say, “Turn onto your stomach.”
She lets out another whimper and fitfully does as she’s told. I sit down beside her, and placing my hands on her lower back, I begin to massage her tense muscles.
It takes a few minutes before her body relaxes, and when I reach the tight bundle between her shoulder blades, she lets out a moan that has a direct link to my cock. Ignoring my desire, I focus on the area where she’s most tense, just thankful she’s letting me touch her.
Even though there are splatters of blood on my shirt, and I need to take a shower, all my attention is on Ciara until she whispers, “You were gone for so long.”
“I’m sorry. I had business to take care of,” I explain my absence.
She sits up and gives me a vulnerable look. “Will you leave again?”
I shake my head. “Not soon.”
Relief fills her eyes, and it has happiness filling my chest.
Slowly but surely, I’m winning Ciara over.
“I need to take a shower,” I say as I stand up.
Ciara scurries off the bed, but then her eyes lock on my chest, and they widen. “Blood.”
“Not mine.”
She glances up at me, caution quickly replacing the relief. “Who’s?”
“A bastard who was involved in sex trafficking,” I answer honestly. “I brought three new women to the village.”
Ciara’s gaze sweeps over me. “But you didn’t get hurt?”
“No.” When it looks like she’s okay with what I just told her, I start to walk to the door, but she quickly follows after me. I stop by the door and say, “I’m going to shower. Do you want to wait on the veranda?”
She shakes her head, and I watch as she hesitates before asking, “Can I wait in your room?”
She wants to stay close to me.
A smile spreads over my face. “Of course.” I head to my bedroom and straight to the closet. While I grab a pair of boxers, white cotton pants, and a matching casual button-up shirt, I notice Ciara sitting down on the edge of my bed. Her gaze is filled with curiosity as it darts all over my room.
Where her’s is decorated in white, mine is all black tones with rich brown furniture. The doors to my balcony are open, and a light breeze plays with the curtains.
“I won’t be long,” I tell her before walking into the bathroom and shutting the door.
I set the clothes down on the counter and switch on the faucets in the shower. After stripping, I step under the spray and hurry through my routine. Done, I dry off and put on my boxers and pants. I just shrug on the shirt before opening the door, so I can see Ciara again, then begin fastening the buttons.
“Are you still good, mi pequeño sol?”
“Yes,” she answers, her eyes glued to my bare chest.
I stop buttoning my shirt halfway up, and glancing at the mirror, I use my fingers to style my hair. Noticing the strands are reaching past my ears, I make a mental note to get a haircut. Picking up the bottle of cologne, I spray some on.
When I step out of the bathroom, I walk toward Ciara, and taking a chance, I ask, “Can I hold your hand while we walk to the veranda?”
Her eyebrows knot together, and I expect her to say no, but then she stands up, and reaching for my hand, her fingers curl around my palm.
She’s letting me touch her so much more today.
“You are doing so well,” I praise her as I tighten my hold on her. “I’m incredibly proud of you.”
Suddenly, a smile flirts with the corner of her mouth, and I lose my ability to breathe. Unable to stop myself, I beg, “Please smile more.”
Her lips curve up, and her eyes begin to shine as if life has been ignited in her blue irises.
God Almighty, what a sight to behold.
My heart expands to twice its size as an intense emotion fills it. Drinking in the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen, I fall head over heels in love for the first time in my life. It’s fast, steamrolling over me until I’m completely and utterly devoted to the woman in front of me.
I knew it was bound to happen, but as the emotion bleeds through my soul, I’m still caught off guard by the sheer intensity of it.
This little ray of sunshine that’s been broken will be whole again so she can love me back.
It becomes my soul’s purpose in this life.
I bring her hand to my mouth and press a kiss to it before saying, “You should smile every second of every day, Ciara.”
As we leave my room, I adjust our hands and link my fingers with hers. Glancing down, my eyes land on the ring I got a year ago for Ciara, and I turn her hand so I can gauge the size of her finger. I notice where my skin is tanned, hers is as white as snow.
She’ll burn easily in the sun.
I keep looking at the differences between us as we walk through the house. My arms are covered with tattoos, and Ciara doesn’t have any. Not that I can see.
My gaze travels up to her face, and I realize she doesn’t even have earrings on.
I need to get her some jewelry.
When the living room comes into view, Pedro stands up from where he is sitting on the couch. I still haven’t had a chance to introduce him to Ciara.
She moves partially behind me, her other hand gripping my bicep.
“This is Pedro, mi sol,” I say. “You will always be safe with him. I trust him with my life.”
Pedro comes closer, then he tilts his head and even leans down a little to make himself look smaller.
The corner of my mouth lifts because he’s being so considerate with Ciara.
“It’s nice to meet you officially, Ciara. I’m very happy to see you’re doing so much better.”
She presses even closer to me but at least whispers, “Hi, Pedro.”
I give my friend a thankful look, then he says, “Call me if you need anything.”
I nod, and as he heads toward the front door, I lead Ciara out onto the veranda. When we sit down, I have to let go of her hand.
I lean back in my chair and let out a tired sigh. Because we had to attack at night, I only slept an hour on the plane during the flight home.
“Where are the women you saved?” Ciara suddenly asks.
I turn my head and look at her. “At the hospital with Dr. Pires.”
She glances at the view of the village. “Will they be okay?”
“With time,” I murmur.
Ciara turns her head back to me, and her teeth tug at her bottom lip before she asks, “When will they come to stay here?”
I shake my head. “They won’t. I’ll arrange a cottage for them to live in.”
A light frown forms on her forehead, then she tilts her head and asks, “Will I live in a cottage?”
Again, I shake my head. My eyes imprison hers before I say, “You’ll stay with me in the villa.”
Her gaze lowers to my chest. “Why?”
Because you’re mine.
When I don’t answer her immediately, her eyes dart to my face again.
I search for the right words that won’t scare her, but I can’t come up with any, and instead murmur, “I’ll answer that question at a later stage.”
Her teeth tug at her bottom lip again as she stares at the hill.
Astrid comes out with a tray, holding a fruit platter and two glasses of juice. When she places the tray down on the table, she smiles at Ciara. “Is there anything else you would like? Maybe some tea?”
Ciara glances at the light breakfast. “Can I have coffee?”
“Definitely. How do you like it?” Astrid asks.
“Uhm…two sugars and cream, please.”
“I’ll bring it out in a minute,” my housekeeper replies before rushing back into the house.
The corner of Ciara’s mouth tugs up, and she actually begins to look excited.
Just in case she’s worried, I mention, “Whenever you want something different to eat and drink, just tell Astrid.”
She nods. “Okay.” Her mouth lifts a little higher. “Thank you.”
I gesture at the fruit. “Do you want some?”
She quickly shakes her head. “Not yet. I first want the coffee. It’s been a very long time since I had any.”
I tilt my head. “Were you a coffee drinker before you were taken?”
She nods again. “I love coffee.”
When Astrid comes out and sets the steaming mug of coffee down on the table, I say, “Keep the refills coming.”
Looking very pleased, Astrid leaves us to enjoy our breakfast.
I watch as Ciara takes hold of the mug, and bringing it to her mouth, she inhales deeply before taking a sip. Her eyes drift shut, and the pure look of bliss on her face has me once again hardening at the speed of light.
At this rate, I’m going to have to start jerking off in the shower.
