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He blew hot air over her lobe, sending shivers down her spine. ‘Anytime you want her, she’s yours,mi cielo.’

Savvine bit her lip, her eyes dancing as Xander’s eyes fell to her mouth.

‘Fokkme, you’re beautiful,’ he breathed.

Just then, Santi swaggered through the crowd toward them, two decanters of champagne in one hand and a carton of chilled beer tucked under the other. ‘Mi gente!’ he roared. ‘Let’s get this party started!’

Bottles popped. Laughter burst from every direction.

They found a table where plates loaded high with fire-roastedchorizo, buttery garlic prawns, and paprika-laced chicken thighs appeared.

Servers brought trays ofpaella, and slicedjamón ibéricowas passed around like treasure.

Pitchers of sangria glinted red and gold beneath the lights.

A dome of fried plantains cradled chili-glazed wings on the center table.

Ever the dramatist, Zev insisted on balancing sangria glasses and a beer schooner on his head for fun until Boaz, chuckling, relieved him.

Savvine tried to blend in, sipping her drink, nodding at compliments, but the spotlight never left her.

Unaccustomed to the attention and getting overwhelmed, she glanced about for reprieve.

Ducking her head as another cheer rose, she leaned to Xander. ‘Honey, I need the bathroom,’ she whispered, eyes darting toward the hallway.

He inclined to her, his voice all velvet. ‘Don’t run too far.’

He brought her close and gave her a scorching kiss.

When she pulled away from him, her eyes gleamed, her face flushed, and her cheeks were hot.

With a press of her lips and a sigh, she slipped away.

XANDER

Xander brooded as his eyes tracked her departure.

The second she was left, Santi dropped beside him, beer in hand.

‘Well, well,’ he drawled. ‘It’s going well then,cabrón?’

Xander took a swig of his ale. ‘Statement or question?’ he groused into the bottle.

Zev threw an arm around Xander’s upper arm from the other side. ‘Facts,hermano. The lean in. How you two sit shoulder to shoulder like you’re sharing secrets from another galaxy.’

Kaal, deadpan as always, called out from the other side of the table. ‘The gazes. The ones that last too long, where she bites her lip and you forget the rest of us exist.’

Santi leaned in with mock gravity. ‘The knee-touching, brother. Or that time she rested against you for a whole briefing. You didn’t even flinch.’

Xander groaned, rubbing his face. ‘Didn’t even notice we were doing it.’

‘Oh, you two are lit up,’ Zev said, lifting his beer. ‘So. How serious is it?’

Xander hesitated.

He stared into the amber swirl of his drink, gathering his thoughts.

His heart jolted for his growing fever, for Savvine was ever ratcheting.