Page 83 of Unspoken Promises

Which is why a twang of guilt over the text echoes through me. I shove it down because it has no place in this scene.

Our steps are slow and relaxed; somehow, even with the world spinning a million miles an hour around us, this moment is calm. How can that be? How can there be someone attacking GhostEye, people on the run, crime, and so many crazy things going on in this world, but the feelings I have for Enzo are so all-encompassing it all seems so far away?

I squeeze his arm with mine. “I like your belt buckle. Where is that from?”

He glances down and takes it in his fingers, turning it up for a brief glance. “I lost a bet.”

“Lost? That’s pretty shiny. What did the winners get?”

“No, the buckle is a win. The loss was with Santi. Aboutthree years ago he bet me I couldn’t ride one of his new thoroughbreds. She was ridiculously sharp.”

“You don’t seem like the type who has something to prove.”

A rough laugh leaves his lips. “Brothersalwayshave something to prove.” He gazes at me from under his thick eyebrows. “And I lost, so Santi’s plan was to watch me fall on my butt for a second time by entering my old ass into a rodeo.”

“But you won?”

“I don’t know how the hell I did it. Seemed like a death wish at that age.”

“You don’t look old.”

“I don’t feel it, but there aren’t a huge amount of men over thirty who are up for bulldogging. Then again, consider my dad.” He laughs lightly. “I guess it’s in our genes.”

“It all backfired on Santi when you won.” I laugh to myself. “He does seem like the one who would get people into trouble.”

He drops his chin, and the last of the sunset glows on his luscious lips. “Santi occasionally takes bravery into a new place where I’m not sure that’s what it’s called anymore.”

“Well, I’m glad he’s reckless. Without him I never would have gotten through that gate.”

At that, his gaze meets mine and more serious thoughts flood his deep-brown eyes. Questions, too. Does he know about the text? Did something happen in San Francisco today I don’t know about?

Tomorrow. I’ll ask tomorrow.

The sun dips below the mountains, and darkness instantly surrounds us. So far from city lights, the sky immediately offers us a few twinkling stars. I breathe inthe scent of the nighttime air. A cool breeze brushes over my shoulders. Enzo slides off his jacket and drapes it over me, leaving his arm there, too, making me weak in the knees.

Being this close, his gesture, the warmth of his arm around me has me losing my train of thought. I’m unraveling completely and hope he doesn’t have dinner planned. I’m hungry for something altogether different. I just want to melt into this man.

Should I, though? What if he bolts when I tell him I lied? Won’t that hurt more if we’ve also had sex? I know I won’t be able to stop myself going there if he kisses me. Not after feeling his bulge between my legs and knowing how smooth his skin is over those rock-hard muscles.

Tomorrow.

I drop my head to his shoulder. In the heels he bought me to go with the dress, I’m not too far off six feet. There’s an unreadable energy coming off him tonight. Is it that we’re heading into new territory? Is it that I’ve just never been on a date and there’s an air of mystery to any romantic situation?

My questions fade when we approach the pool.

All around us, a warm glow fills the night sky. Every surface flickers with candlelight. Flames dance in heat lamps dotted around. There must be hundreds of candles here.

He opens the gate to the area for me, and I bring my hands to either side of my face.

“Enzo…”

I turn myself in a circle, taking in all he’s done for me. “You did this for me?”

He rolls his lips but not with that usual scowl. This time, it’s almost bashful.

All thoughts of yesterday, all worries about tomorrow, fade into oblivion.

His features are moody and sensual in this light. “I got you another gift you’ll be needing for tonight.”

---