Page 58 of My Spanish Love Affair

“Not the most glamorous, but it does the job,” he says.

“I thought you’re not supposed to…” I trail off, tilting my head as I watch him pour the wine.

“I can have one glass on a special occasion,” he says. “I’m not making a habit of it, don’t worry.”

“A special occasion?” I repeat, my brows furrowing.

My voice is quiet, and he doesn’t respond. I assume he doesn’t hear me, and I clear my throat as I glance out at the horizon where the moon casts a silver path across the water.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.

“It is,” he agrees.

But when I look back, he’s not looking at the water.

He’s looking at me.

The intensity in his gaze makes my breath catch, and I quickly turn back to the ocean, trying to collect myself.

“So,” I say, forcing a casual tone, “do you bring all your dates here?”

Fuck.Why did I just say that?!

Santi chuckles, the sound warm and unbothered. “No,” he counters. “Just the ones who accuse me of being mysterious and hard to figure out.”

I raise a brow, turning to face him. “Oh, so this is supposed to give me some kind of further insight into you?” I tease, lifting my cup to take a sip.

“Maybe,” he says, his tone light but edged with something more serious. “Or maybe I just wanted to share this beautiful place with you.”

I lean back on my hands, listening to the rhythmic sound of the waves and feeling the coolness of the sand seeping through the blanket beneath us. Santi shifts closer, his tanned, muscular arm brushing against mine.

“You’re quiet tonight,” he says, his voice gentle as he turns to me. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

I hesitate, swirling the wine in my cup.

“I’m just... thinking.”

“About?”

“About how easy this feels,” I admit. “And how that scares me.”

His expression softens. He reaches out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

The gesture is so tender, so unexpected, and my breath catches in my throat.

“Good things are allowed to be easy,” he says, his tone steady as his green eyes search mine.

I blink, startled by the depth of his words. “You make it sound so simple.”

“It can be,” he says with a small smile. “If we let it.”

The warmth of his hand lingers near my face, and god do I want to believe him.

He leans in slightly, and my gaze flickers to his lips. I’m so sure that he’s going to kiss me -

Instead, he leans in closer and hesitates before our lips can touch.

His lovely green eyes search mine, and I swallow thickly under his gaze.

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