Page 69 of When Lies Unfold

I shift uncomfortably. “Thank you.”

“Do you mind if I ask where you studied previously?”

The intensity of Santiago’s scrutiny acts like a thousand-pound weight atop my shoulders. “I’ve only volunteered at a vet clinic and did some training in survival medicine.”

Surprise flickers across the man’s features, trailed by a hint of suspicion before rapidly disappearing. “Even more impressive.” His eyes cut briefly to Santiago. “I’ve been looking for someone to take my place once I finally retire?—”

“What’d I say about retirement talk?” Santiago intertwines a thread of affection with an unmistakable threat like only he can.

Doc shakes his head with a chuckle. “I’m not immortal, you know.”

“Don’t remind me.” Santiago clasps the other man’s shoulder. “Now, why don’t you tell Miss Arias what else you found intriguin’ about her work on Andro?”

Alarm bells sound in my head at Santiago’s choice of words. When the doctor’s attention rests on me, however, his expression remains placid. Almost too calm.

“I noticed you chose a running subcuticular suture. It’s impressive.” His eyes narrow with suspicion, his tone cautious. “Especially when Santiago mentioned how quickly you performed the suture.”

Ohshit. My brain scrambles for the best way to handle this. I decide to deploy some truth in my response. “One of the vets gave me a book on all the different types of sutures.” With what I hope is a shy smile, I add, “Being the nerd I am, I studied it in depth.”

“Ah, I see.” He nods slowly, a polite smile gracing his lips, but his eyes give me the impression he doesn’t miss much. “Well, it’s impressive all the same.”

“Thank you.”

When he turns his sharp gaze to Santiago, relief barrels through me. “I’ll check back on Andro again before I leave.”

Santiago dips his chin. “Let me know if there’re any concerns.”

“I will.” The men shake hands before the older man addresses me a final time. “It was lovely to meet you, Miss Arias.”

“Likewise.”

The doctor excuses himself, and once his footsteps fade, I rush to escape Santiago’s presence. Before I can dart away, strong fingers encircle my wrist.

Though he’s careful not to touch my still-healing skin, his touch is nevertheless unnerving. The callused pad of his thumb lingers over my pulse points.

When I cast a pointed glance at his hold and raise my brows, he ignores my gesture.

“I’ve gotta attend a dinner tonight.”

A long pause trails his admission, and when he says nothing more, I muster a polite, “Have fun with that.” Turning, I attempt to leave, but he doesn’t relinquish his hold.

Javier turns off the stove and rushes from the kitchen, studiously avoiding looking in our direction. Left alone, a thick, taut silence blankets us.

Santiago’s voice drops an octave from behind me, curling around me in an odd caress. “I’m supposed to say I’d like you to accompany me.”

A harsh sound climbs up my throat, and I whirl around to face him. “But you’re not planning to say that, are you?”

Even with our bodies a breath away from touching, he refuses to relinquish hold of my wrist. This close, I’m granted a view of those tiny, stern lines between his brows. The fine threading of silver at his temples seems to gleam beneath the kitchen lights while his eyes canvass my face.

My attention drops to his lips, and my traitorous mind recalls how they suctioned around my nipple. How that dark scruff framing his mouth rasped against my skin and how it felt when he kissed me. I’d never experienced a kiss like that before. The devouring, possessive kind.

When he reaches up to trace his thumb along my bottom lip, I suck in a startled breath. His voice is a coarse rasp. “Can’t figure out if your mouth is more trouble than it’s worth.”

He makes another slow sweep along my lip. “But it makes me wanna do some”—he hesitates, piquing my curiosity—“bad things.” A muscle flickers in his cheek. “Stupid shit.”

Don’t ask, don’t ask, don’t ask— “Like what?” Dammit.

His mouth flattens, and he doesn’t immediately answer. “Makes me wanna find out if you taste as good as you did the other day.”

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