Page 321 of Vicious Temptation

The silk slides carefully over my eyes, and whatever chance I had of solving his little mystery disappears into darkness.

When the plane lands, I let him escort me down the stairs and into a waiting car. The humidity hits me almost immediately, which only makes my Texas theory more plausible. It would make sense. This is where Thiago grew up, and where his aunt still lives.

At first, the rush of freeway traffic surrounds us, but after a while, it fades until all I can hear is the steady hum of tires against pavement. We’ve left the city behind, and judging by how little else I hear outside the car, we’re probably somewhere more rural now.

“Can I look yet?”

His lips brush my cheek. “So impatient. We’re almost there. I promise.”

Just as I’m about to fire back, the car eases into a turn, and the smooth asphalt changes beneath the tires. A steady pattern of bumps and vibrations now travels through the cabin, almost like we’re driving over stone.

I sit up a little straighter because whatever he planned, we’re close now. And I can’t stop the smile spreading across my face. “Are we there yet?”

“Just a little more.”

“You know I’m armed, right?”

He laughs. “I’m banking on you loving this surprise, so I’m not expecting to get shot today.”

A few minutes later, Thiago leans in close, his breath brushing my ear.

“It’s time.”

My heart starts beating faster as he loosens the knot and the handkerchief slips away. I blink as my eyes adjust.

A pair of wrought-iron gates stands in front of us, framed by stone pillars and glowing beneath the warm lights lining the drive. My attention moves higher, following the ironwork until I see the words stretched across the top.

VILLA DORADA

I stop breathing.

My hand flies to my mouth as I try to process what I’m seeing.

“Thiago…” I whisper.

“You told me that you wanted to see this place for yourself.” His hand finds mine. “And I told you there isn’t a damn thing in this world you could ask of me that I wouldn’t do.”

“Baby, I don’t know what to say.”

Shit, I’m crying.

“You don’t have to say anything. Just take it all in.”

I nod, giving him a watery smile.

We pull onto the drive, and the second the car comes to a stop, I’m out the door.

All I can do is stare.

Villa Dorada is even more beautiful than I imagined from my mom’s stories and the photos I’ve seen over the years. Warm golden light spills across the pale stone exterior, illuminating arched windows and balconies lined with intricate ironwork. Smaller lights tucked throughout the landscaping cast a soft glow over beds of lush greenery that border the long cobblestone.

Everything looks golden beneath the night sky.

I walk toward the house slowly, trying to take in every detail at once. This is where she grew up. And somewhere on this property, my parents met and fell in love, beginning the story that eventually led to Gio and me. And now I’m standing here on my wedding night with my husband.

My eyes burn all over again.

The front steps lead to a pair of tall, dark metal doors. I stop in front of them and run my fingertips lightly over the ornate scrollwork on their surface.