Page 60 of The Hunted
They lapsed into an easy silence. Her breathing evened out to match his. The sound of the world spinning around them while they sat content in their own little bubble; close enough to watch but far away it couldn’t touch them. It made Silva’s mind wonder what their future would look like, and she was alarmed at how easily she could see herself with him on quiet mornings. Him bringing her coffee and croissants while they sat close, just enjoying each other’s company.
It would be the type of relationship she found her readers yearning for when they wrote to her. She didn’t tend to answer those letters both because she didn’t believe in that type of relationship and because she’d never been in one or seen a healthy one. But sitting here watching the kids play, her heart and mind whispered a bunch of ‘what if’s’ and ‘we could have that’ it made her chest ache.
“I want to tell you,” she whispered, needing something else to focus on. Something to remind her that he didn’t know her all that well and maybe he wouldn’t like what lay hidden underneath. “But I’m not sure yet and,” she licked her lips. “I don’t want you to look at me any differently.”
She cursed, hating herself for letting that truth slip. She went to pull away, but he held her tighter, keeping her locked into the side of his body.
“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. I’m sure there’s some relationship coach out there that will say otherwise, but take it from someone who knows, some truths are harder to articulate than others.” He chuckled, but it lacked humor. “Sometimes people are so desperate for the truth they forget it changes everything, and sometimes neither party is ready to face that challenge.”
He kissed the top of her head and she beamed, enjoying the affection. “I’m not saying I don’t ever want to know. I’m just telling you there’s no rush. It’s your choice if you want to tell me, and it’s also your choice if you want me to do something about it.”
“Okay.” She felt steadier. He was giving her space to navigate how she moved forward with her past and him.
Her fingers touched her thigh, looking to see if she could still feel the mark she gifted herself this morning. She didn’t feel anything, and the lingering claws of the nightmare seemed to evaporate on the light breeze. Santino’s presence cleared the feel of hands she never wanted to touch her. He cleared the memory of the voices that haunted her in both her sleeping and waking state. He cleared the musky stench that stuck to her skin after.
She could only feel and breathe him in. His steady and sure presence not necessarily banishing the darkness but guiding her through it.
She was thankful for him showing up and while she knew she needed to shore up her walls, to lessen being dependent on him, she was going to bask in this feeling of safety and peace. At least for now.
Until he sees your scars.
Her fingers twitched against her thighs. The marks on her skin both old and new would raise questions once they were intimate—if that ever happened.
Don’t rush things.
She’d cross that bridge when she got there. Right now she just wanted her mind to turn off and enjoy the rest of her morning with a guy she liked.
“I have more croissants in the car.” Santino’s deep rumble vibrated through her. “If you want more that is. I wasn’t sure how many to get you. And this isn’t me rushing you, if you want to stay in the park a little while longer, I’m okay with that. If you’re ready for me to take you home, just let me know, okay.”
“You don’t have to be at work?” She wondered if she was keeping him from doing his job. There was a killer on the loose, surely he needed to be elsewhere.
“Not yet. I have time.” He pulled her in closer.
She pushed out of his hold to look at him. “Don’t get in trouble for me.”
He half-turned to look at her with a kissable smirk on his lips. “Worried about me, princess?”
“Not in the slightest. But I don’t want your little friend having an opinion,” she grumbled, remembering how much Amra had been complaining about Santino. She had no clue how important Amra was, but she didn’t want Santino to give her a reason to have an actual issue about him and his work.
“Ahh, Amra.” Santino chuckled. His hand landed back on her knee. He had big hands, and the feel of them on her body made her stomach tumble. “I wouldn’t worry about her.” He continued. “She has sway but not as much as she things she does. Besides, my work speaks for itself. But it’s nice to know you’re worried about me, princess.”
She could hear the smile in his voice and she scoffed. “I am not.” She tried to cross her arms until she realized she still had her coffee and the paper bag from the croissant.
“You finished?” He held out his palm for her, and she handed it over.
Silva watched him get up and walk toward the garbage, his steps sure and confident. His shirt stretched across his back, showcasing his muscles that rippled when he moved. She could see his tattoos on his arms from where she sat, and her gaze took in the way his jeans fit against his ass.
Her mouth watered.
She shifted on the park bench, feeling her pulse jump. When he turned back around her stomach dropped. She squeezed her legs together to fight off the ache building inside of her and his eyes zeroed in on the motion, a smile pulling at his lips.
It should be a crime to look as good as him.
She understood attraction and could see when someone looked good objectively. Usually, it took a while to get her body on board with said attraction. She had to truly get to know someone, and even then it was work to get her body to respond. Mari had been the only one she hadn’t faked it for, and that relationship had been a whirlwind with Mari guiding her and initiating their intimacy more often than not.
But Santino was quickly becoming someone she knew she wouldn’t have to fake it with. Someone she’d want to initiate being intimate with; like right now, his face looked like a great place to sit.
“Princess.” He chuckled, coming to a stop in front of her. He squatted, placing his hands on either side of her legs, caging her in but giving her room to move freely if need be. She didn’t realize how tall he was. He was squatting down and still eye level with her.
