Page 12 of The No Falling Rule
A slow smile curls my lips. “Do you always work so hard to impress a woman?”
Apparently, my mouth didn’t get the memo about thinking first. Too late—damage done.
Diego closes his eyes for a brief moment, and a dozen scenarios flash through my mind—all the ways to redeem myself from that silly question.
But he’s actually not trying hard at all.
If he were, he‘d be throwing money around or name-dropping his hotels. Instead, he’s walking me back to my bungalow.
“I’m sorry,” I say, the ocean nearly swallowing my words. “That came out wrong. I just meant… I’ve enjoyed tonight more than I thought I would.”
“I won’t pretend I’m a saint,” he says with a low chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. “But with you…” He looks up at the sky as if searching for words. “With you, everything comes naturally. I don’t think I’ve ever shared so much about myself on a first date before.”
That gets my attention. When I glance up, his eyes are already on me.
“We’ve known each other less than twelve hours,” I remind him, a little terrified about what that means.
He stops walking and gently turns me to face him. “I only had to see your pale face when I pulled you out of that pool to know I wanted to get to know you.”
“I truly want to believe you,” I admit. “But that sounds more like guilt than anything else.”
Diego huffs, frustrated. His hands travel to my shoulders, framing me. “Fine. You’re more of an action-over-words kind of woman. I can work with that.”
Before I can reply, he leans in, completely focused on my lips. My pulse spikes, anticipation racing through my blood.
My eyes flutter closed, waiting for the kiss… but instead, his lips brush my jaw. It’s so tender, so subtle, I feel like I'm dreaming.
He trails feather-light kisses along my jawline, then my cheek. My head tilts back on its own. I’m Jell-O in his hands.
When his mouth finally reaches mine, relief and desire collide. My fingers tangle in his hair, and his hands trace down my sides, pulling me flush against him. The kiss deepens—slow, hungry—and I feel every single inch of his erection.
A moan slips free, and he catches it with his lips.
By the time we come up for air, my head is spinning.
He rests his forehead against mine, our breaths mingling. “Was that a kiss of someone who feels guilty, Mia?” His voice is rough—almost a growl.
“No,” I whisper, willing my heart to slow down.
“That’s right, bonita.”
He straightens, hair a tussled mess, lips red and shiny from my lipstick. He looks devastating.
“I do feel guilty I accidentally tossed you in that pool,” he admits, smiling faintly. “But I’ll never regret meetingyou. I already feel like one lifetime won’t be enough to get to know you. To be with you.”
His words hit me right in my core.Who knew all it took was an expert kisser and smooth talker to get my libido going?
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know you too,” I say, rising on my tiptoes to kiss the tip of his nose.
He chuckles, leaning in to brush his mouth over mine. “Would you spend tomorrow with me?” he asks, eyes full of hope.
The answer I want comes instantly, but reality crashes in, and I feel like shit for what I’m about to say.
“I’d love to,” I say softly, “but remember—I’m here with my sister. I don’t want to leave her alone the entire time we’re here.”
His face falls, but he quickly recovers, pressing a kiss to my cheek.
Before I can say anything else, Carly’s voice carries through the door behind me. “Her sister will survive a day or two without her. Just let her know what time you’re picking her up.”
