Page 71 of When Lies Unfold

With both hands clutching the front of his shirt, I rise to my toes and fit my mouth more securely to his to deepen the kiss. His groan vibrates against my lips for a millisecond before he fists my hair even tighter. Cupping my ass in his other hand, he hauls me even closer, our bodies flush against one another.

His hard length pressed against me is a clear indication of just how affected he is by the kiss. By me. Our tongues glide against one another, and I match him stroke for stroke.

I barely register when I’m lifted and my ass is planted on the kitchen island a moment later. I’m in a haze, lost to the dangerous enchantment this man possesses.

He fits himself between my thighs, his fingers now threaded in my hair and undoubtedly messing up my ponytail. Fueled by a burning desperation to yank him closer, I fist his shirt tighter, arching into him.

He uses his hold on my hair to tilt my head exactly how he wants, ensuring he’s not simply kissing me but acting as a marauder of my mouth.

“Ahem.” A man clears his throat somewhere behind him, and we shudder to a stop. A deep growl of disapproval rumbles from Santiago’s chest.

His hand slides from my hair to linger at my hip. With our mouths a breath apart, my chest heaves, and it’s a small consolation to see the labored rise and fall of his own.

His heated gaze threatens to singe me to my core. Gordo calls out, his voice steady but with an urgent undertone. “Sorry to interrupt, boss, but somethin’ important’s come up.”

I drag my eyes from Santiago to discover Gordo standing in the wide kitchen entrance—with his back to us, thankfully.

“Be right there.” Santiago’s response is coated with arousal. The edges of his lips tug upward before he lowers his voice to a ragged whisper. “Gonna have to let me go first.”

It takes a moment to realize my legs have somehow wrapped themselves around the back of his thighs and my hands still firmly grip his shirt. Fiery-hot embarrassment heats my cheeks, and I abruptly release him.

He straightens, easing away from me. His gaze ensnares mine as he adjusts himself with a slight grimace. “After all this, it’s gonna be hard not to think about you when I’m supposed to be workin’.”

The words slip out before I realize it. “That’s not all that’s hard.”

Surprise lights up his features, and that mouth that makes me feel too many dangerous things curves upward. The slightest hint of a genuine grin has a sensation of butterflies erupting low in my stomach.

Those tiny lines fanning from the outer edges of his eyes become more prominent. “See you later, Miss Arias.”

I lift my chin a notch before reminding him, “At the tea party.”

“At the tea party first.” He lowers his head, his lips glossing over mine as he whispers, “Then you’re mine for the night.”

“I only agreed to dinner.”

Eyes gleaming at the hint of a challenge, smug determination crosses his features. “I got a feelin’ I can persuade you.”

Without another word, he strides from the kitchen, and he and Gordo disappear down the hall.

Regardless of what just transpired—or what may happen in days to come—I can’t forget that Santiago and I are enemies.

One of the most valuable lessons I ever learned was to never underestimate my enemy.

Because my very life depends upon it.

1 Scrambled eggs, a Costa Rican dish consisting mainly of rice and beans, plantains, a croissant, and bacon. Enjoy your meal.

31

SANTIAGO

“Hidalgo’s gettin’ more ballsy—or reckless. Not sure which.” Scowl etched on his face as we stride down the hall, Gordo fills me in on what’s transpired. “It took every sweet-talkin’ word I’ve got to smooth things over with our contacts down in Ambato.”

Hidalgo tried to fuck with one of our Ecuador warehouses. Thankfully, I’ve got good men—many who willingly defaulted from Hidalgo’s ranks—in place there.

But we still lost some inventory to the fire he had some asshole start, which pisses me the hell off. His man’s already dead and was delivered to Hidalgo in pieces.

No doubt he’ll receive that message…and dismiss it. He’s always been a petulant fucker.

---