Page 79 of My Spanish Love Affair

“Oh, really?” I tease, raising an eyebrow. “Care to elaborate?”

“Nope,” he says, leaning down until our noses almost touch. “I’d rather keep you under this illusion for as long as I can.”

I laugh, though before I can respond, his lips find mine. The kiss is soft at first, but I eventually twist so that we can deepen our embrace, and my fingers tangle in his dark strands of hair as he tightens his arm around me.

He uses his hold on my body to pull me firmly onto his lap,meaning that there’s hardly any space left between us at all.

“You make me feel like I can breathe again,” I whisper against his lips, the words slipping out before I can second-guess them.

His hand slides up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing softly against my skin. “You do the same for me,” he replies, his voice steady and full of meaning.

I lean forwards to lose myself in him again when Santi shifts slightly, and I frown at the mischievous twinkle in his eye.

“I almost forgot,” he says, his lips quirking into a small smile. “I have something for you.”

I sit up a little, curiosity sparking. “For me?”

“Yes,” he says, untangling himself from me and standing. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

I watch as he disappears down the hallway, my heart fluttering with anticipation.

What could he possibly have for me?

He returns in hardly any time at all, and when he does, he’s holding a small gift bag.

The glossy paper shimmers under the warm spotlights above, and I spot the logo on the front of the bag. It’s elegant and unfamiliar - something French or Italian - and is the kind of name I wouldn’t know how to begin to pronounce.

“Santi,” I say, sitting up straighter. “What is this?”

“See for yourself,” he says, handing the bag over to me.

I hesitate for a moment, my fingers brushing over the bag’s smooth surface as he moves to sit back down beside me.

After what feels like forever, I finally begin to pull out the tissue paper from within. Inside is a small velvet box, and my breath catches as I lift it out, glancing up at him briefly beforeflipping it open.

Nestled inside is a delicate gold necklace, the pendant a simple, elegant‘S’.

“Oh,” I breathe, my fingers brushing over the charm. “Santi, it’s... it’s beautiful.”

“Do you like it?” he asks.

“Like it?” I glance up at him, my chest tightening with emotion. “Santi, Iloveit. But you didn’t have to do this.”

“I wanted to,” he says simply. “I saw it the other day, and it just... felt right. Kind of like us.”

“It’s perfect,” I whisper. “Thank you.”

“Let me help you put it on,” he offers, taking the box from my hands.

I turn slightly, lifting my hair as he clasps the necklace behind my neck. His fingers are warm and gentle, brushing against my skin in a way that sends shivers down my spine.

“There,” he says softly, his voice close to my ear. “It suits you.”

I touch the pendant lightly, feeling its weight against my collarbone. When I turn to face him, his eyes are fixed on me with an intensity that makes my breath catch.

“Thank you,” I say again, my voice barely above a whisper.

He leans in, pressing another soft kiss to my lips.

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