Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
My eyebrows draw together. “Lorena?”
“The fortune teller I told you about.”
Santiago fastens the chain around my neck, and I feel his fingers brush against my skin. Tingles race over my body as I look down at the beautiful ring.
I can’t believe he’s giving it to me.
“If you ever decide you want more than just friendship with me and you’re ready for a romantic relationship, I’ll put the ring on your finger. Until then, I want you to wear it.”
“How do you know I’m the person the fortune teller was talking about?” I ask as I touch the ring.
“I knew the moment I saw you in the field.” He lifts his hand to my face and brushes his knuckles over my cheek. “And over the past few weeks, every single thing about you has assured me I’m right. You’re the one for me, Ciara.”
His words fill me with so much warmth, and I reach up to wrap my arms around him. Within a second, his body engulfs mine, and I’m squashed to his chest. I press my face against his neck and take a deep breath of him.
I belong with Santiago.
I don’t feel so lost anymore because he is my home.
Chapter 21
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?”