Page 14 of Hidden By His Side

“That’s not so surprising. Give yourself time.”

She shook her head. “I have given myself time. It’s making it worse. What happened… it’s my only point of reference, but it’s all jumbled in my head, no matter how hard I try to remember.”

“That wasn’t sex.” Ramiro’s hand tightened on hers. “It’s better that you don’t remember it.”

“It seems more frightening,” she whispered. “And it’s grown in my head.”

“The nightmares?” he asked.

“Yeah, but sometimes I get flashes during the day. When someone touches me, it’s like there are phantom hands.”

His hand over hers tensed, and he stared down at his other hand, which had settled over her knee.

“Not your touch. I trust you.” She took a breath. “That’s why I think it has to be you. I don’t trust anyone the way I trust you.”

His eyes closed tightly.

“Please, Ram.” She hated the tremble in her voice.

His eyes opened again, and the gentleness there had melted away, but he didn’t look like her other dates either. Her skin flushed from the intent way he stared at her.

“Are you sure, Summer? We do this, and there’s no taking it back.” His gaze hadn’t left hers. “I don’t want this to ruin what we have.”

“It won’t. Nothing can ruin it.” Summer couldn’t picture life without Ramiro.

“But it also won’t become more. It can’t.” He moved forward, breaking the spell of his eyes as he kissed her forehead. “My life isn’t for you, baby girl. You deserve a life as bright as you are.”

She didn’t bother contradicting him. He’d said the same before. With how often he had to put her back together, he should have realized how much darkness still lived inside her, but he seemed to see what he wanted to see.

“Are you saying yes?” she asked, holding her breath as she waited for his answer.

Ramiro pulled back, the look in his eyes making her body restless, but not with fear. “When have I not given you what you needed?”

“Never,” she said quickly, launching herself at him.

He caught her with a surprised oof, falling back against the couch with her on top.

With her eyes locked on his, Summer kissed him. What had felt good enough before was so much betterbecause she was kissing Ramiro. Then his lips moved against hers, taking over and ruining her for anyone else.

Chapter 5

Present Day

It was late by the time Ramiro got home. Calling the rich, residential neighborhood “home” still didn’t feel right. Before his fancy suits, and fancier cars, someone like him wouldn’t have been welcome there. Now he had the money to belong, or at least to seem like he belonged.

He’d purchased the house that Summer had wandered around in with a look of awe. She’d loved the sunken living room and the open kitchen. She’d also walked into the largest bedroom’s closet and rocked up and down on her toes at the thought of how many dresses would fit inside. They still could. His suits only took up a portion of the space.

Ramiro had asked her to help decorate the house. Summer had a knack for creating appealing spaces. She’d chosen warm, rich colors and high-end furniture that was more for comfort than show. Between the throw blanket and rugs and curtains,everything didn’t exactly match, but the colors flowed together like they belonged.

Most of the house remained unlived in. Ramiro only spent time in the office and in his bedroom. His home office was a disaster. Used coffee mugs and plates, discarded clothing that needed dry cleaning, and abandoned electronics his men raved about—Ramiro didn’t even know what half of them did—all cluttered the space.

He settled into the chair that perfectly supported his back. Summer chose a new chair for him at the main office last year, so he’d doubled the order. She understood his needs better than he did.

Ramiro pulled out his phone. Summer hadn’t called or texted, so staying with the boyfriend must have worked out. He scowled at the thought but reminded himself not to be an asshole about it. It was good that she was more comfortable dating.

He spotted the earlier text from Diego asking for intel, only then remembering that he’d never sent it on to his hacker. Leo Hayes was still one of his best assets, even so many years later. He remained mostly invisible and never helped with things like cleanup, but that type of thing wasn’t his skill set. Hayes dug up any information Ramiro needed, and a lot he never thought to ask for.

After forwarding the text, Ramiro’s thumb hovered over the flower icon on his phone. Sighing, he clicked on it, pulling up the video feed of Summer’s apartment.

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