I force myself to be cheery. “Nothing is wrong.” I smile widely as I walk toward him and hold out the gift. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Cristian.”
He looks stunned, glancing between me and the gift with wide eyes. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“Of course, I did. You’re my man, and it’s customary to exchange gifts on Valentine’s Day.” Truth be told, I’m usually pretty cynical when it comes to the annual event, but it’s probably because I hadn’t found a man I wanted to celebrate it with until now. “It’s only something small, though I am going to make you breakfast if you’re not in a rush.”
“I can make time.” Threading his fingers in mine, he pulls me over to the edge of the bed. We sit side by side as he rips through the gift wrap to get to his gift. “Sloane.” His tone is full of wonder. “This is perfect. So perfect.” His fingers trail over the photo Tullia took of us with reverence.
“I had one printed and framed for me too. It’s a great pic.”
“Thank you.” He kisses me deeply. “I love it.” He gets up to place the picture on his bedside table before returning to haul me onto his lap. “Happy Valentine’s Day, baby.” Holding my face in his hands, he dots kisses all over my skin.
Hugging him close, I savor the strength and comfort he brings to everything.
“Stay here.” He puts me down carefully on the bed and walks off into his closet, emerging a few minutes later wearing an unbuttoned dark-gray shirt and carrying a blue Tiffany’s box and a card. “For you.” He places them in my hands before sitting and returning me to his lap with my legs to the side.
My heart is jumping around my chest as I pry the box open, gasping at the beautiful pear-shaped aquamarine and diamond pendant. “The vibrancy reminded me of your eyes,” he explains, lifting the platinum chain from the box. “Hold up your hair.”
Bunching my hair in my hands, I lift it up and angle my head so Cristian can put the pendant on.
“Beautiful, like its owner,” he says when it’s nestled on my chest, glinting and glistening under the overhead light.
“This is too much,” I croak, staring at it in awe as I let my hair down. I have never owned anything so special, and I’m sure it cost a fortune.
“I want to spoil you.” He peers deep into my eyes. “And it doesn’t end here.” His lips kick up at the corners as his fingers sweep across my cheek. “I’m taking you out to dinner tonight, and I have some items being delivered this afternoon.”
“You aren’t real, Cristian,” I whisper, swiveling on his lap so I’m straddling him. “Things like this don’t happen to me.”
“They do now.” He claims my mouth in a heart-melting kiss I feel all the way to the tips of my toes. “You’re precious to me, Sloane.” His thumb swipes across my lips. “I want to take away your pain and put a permanent smile on your face.”
I’m so close to blurting I’m in love with him, but how can I tell him when my deception lies between us, and he doesn’t even know it? “You help more than you know.”
“One day, you’ll tell me all your secrets.” He places my feet on the ground as he stands. “But until then, I can be patient.” Lacing his fingers through my hair, he kisses me slowly, and my legs almost go out from under me. “I do believe someone promised me breakfast.” His teasing smile coaxes one from me.
“Coming right up,sir.” I flash him a flirty smile.
He groans, adjusting himself in his pants, but his eyes are still smiling. “I need to rearrange a couple of things, but I’ll meet you in the kitchen when I’m done.”
“Sounds like a plan. It won’t take me too long to cook it.” I did all the baking yesterday and hid the evidence so he wouldn’t find it and ruin the surprise.
“You’re spoiling me, too. I like it.” He playfully swats my ass before leaving the bedroom.
I’m moving to follow when my eyes land on his laptop bag on the floor. It’s unzipped, and a few folders peek out, silently beckoning me. Sticking my head out the door, I check to ensure Cristian is gone before running to his bag and removing the folders. I don’t have time to think, only act, so I pull my cell out from the pocket of my jeans lying on the chair, and snap pics of the folder contents. It looks like schedules, something Pablo requested, but I don’t know if these are the right ones. Blood rushes to my head and rings in my ears, and guilt is like a heavy weight pressing down on my chest. Returning the folders to the bag exactly how they were, I bundle up my clothes, then take my cell and head back to my bedroom.
Locking my door, I transfer the photos from one cell to the other, deleting all evidence from the cell phone Cristian gave me. Sweat beads on my brow as I hover over the message button, debating with myself over whether to send them. I have a bit more time, and I don’t need to make the decision now, so I toss my cartel cell back in its hiding place in my closet, dress in jeans, slides, and a cute top, and walk to the kitchen to fix breakfast.
“Wow, this looks incredible,” Cristian says fifteen minutes later when he joins me.
The table is laden with an array of baked Italian goods, including almond biscotti, which Beatrice told me is his favorite. There’s also sliced fresh fruit, plain yogurt, bagels, and creamy scrambled eggs with crispy bacon. “It’s an ode to Italy and the US,” I joke, nudging him toward a chair. “Sit. I’ll get the coffee and orange juice.”
“I think I’ll have to take some of this to go. I’ll never eat everything.”
“I’ll make you a packed lunch,” I holler over my shoulder as I fix his coffee the way he likes it. Cristian showed me how to use the coffee machine because that witch Isa was too much of a snake to do it. Pouring freshly squeezed orange juice into two glasses, I carry them with the coffee on a tray.
We chat casually as we eat, and I push everything else aside, pretending this is real and I’m not the absolute worst person in the world.
Cristian kisses me slowly at the door, and I cling to him, not wanting him to leave. It’s easy to forget when his arms are around me, and I need that so badly right now.
“Fuck, it’s so hard to leave you,” he says when we finally break apart. “I wish I didn’t have to go.”
