Page 138 of Vicious Temptation

“Not a bad way to spend the Fourth.”

“No,” I admit, resting my head against his shoulder. “Not bad at all.”

Thiago shifts us on the ledge until his back rests against the edge of the pool, then pulls me into his lap. I settle between his legs as his arms circle my waist and my head falls against his shoulder.

Another firework erupts, this time casting gold across the night, and I tilt my face toward the sky to watch it fade. After a while, I notice his thumb moving slowly over my stomach and realize he hasn’t looked away from me.

He isn’t watching the show at all.

“What?” I ask softly.

“You’re beautiful.”

I turn toward the sky again, suddenly grateful for the darkness that hides how much those words affect me.

“You have all that happening above us, and you’re looking at me?”

“I am. They could light up the whole fucking sky. It still wouldn’t be enough to steal my attention from you.”

Glancing back, I meet his eyes, unable to stop smiling. I don’t have a response, and I don’t want one.

Thiago kisses into my hairline, then pulls me more securely against his chest. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For trusting me enough to bring me here. I can tell this place means something to you. And I know you don’t bring just anyone up here.”

My hand drifts over his forearm where it rests across my stomach as I tip my head toward the fireworks again.

“You gave me something important today. Your lake for my pool.”

He threads his fingers with mine. “My lake for your pool.”

Gold glitters above us as I stay tucked against him, not wanting to be anywhere else.

* Fuck, you’re mine.

Thirty-Five

remi

The door closes behind me with a soft click, and I pause in the foyer, drawing a slow breath.

It’s my first time back here since Estela died.

I should’ve come sooner, checked in on Mamá more, sat with her, listened, and done something other than bury myself in work and every distraction I could find. Instead, I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to keep up with one disaster after another while avoiding everything I didn’t want to face.

It’s not an excuse. It’s just the truth.

Standing here now, surrounded by memories of a woman who loved us fiercely until her last breath, that truth doesn’t make me feel any less shitty.

“Remi!” Zara’s voice echoes through the hall, and when I see her sprinting toward me, guilt rushes back. My baby has been in town for days, and I’ve only seen her once.

Damn, Remi. You really are an asshole sometimes.

I crouch just in time for her to launch herself at me. She hits me with enough force to knock us both back, and my tailbone takes the brunt of the impact. I bite back a wince so I don’t worry her.

“Menace, you’re going to kill me one of these days. When did you get so strong?”