Page 123 of Devil's Property

“What are they? Piña coladas?” Genevieve asked.

“Something better,” I answered. “This is something very American, only I did adult the drinks with vodka. Except for yours, mama to be.” I laughed as they grabbed a cup, handing one to Navarro myself. “Drink up, darling. Go ahead. Take a nice, long suck on that straw.”

He eyed me carefully, but did as I commanded.

The entire group followed my instructions while I tried to keep from laughing.

Within seconds, his brow was furrowed as he winced. So did everyone else.

“Holy crap, that’s cold,” Kruz snapped.

“My head is killing me.” Jago rubbed his forehead.

I took my drink, sipping carefully. For about a million reasons, I couldn’t keep from grinning.

“Is that…” Navarro winced again.

“A brain freeze? You got it, big boy. I told you that you weren’t living unless you had at least one in your life. You’re drinking my version of a Slurpee.”

“Perfect for such an incredible day,” Christine cooed. “But I admit I do like the vodka.”

We chatted, interrupted every few minutes by customers and Brooke bugging me to mingle, but I was content, something I hadn’t been in years.

People were responding to the art, several pieces already sold.

When Navarro found me alone close to an hour later, he immediately rubbed his fingers against my face. “Do you know how beautiful and special you are?”

“Why don’t you tell me.”

“Alright,” he said quietly, the sexy two-day stubble driving me crazy. “El tesoro más hermoso es el amor de una mujer que te recuerda cada día que vale la pena vivir.”

The most beautiful treasure is the love of a woman who reminds you every day that life is worth living.

There were no other words needed. Well, with a single exception.

“Do you love me now?” he asked.

“Let me think.” I tapped my lips. “I do enjoy being with you.”

“Uh-huh. What else?”

“I might like your touch,” I purred and rubbed my hand up his chest.

“Is that it?”

“I might even adore your scowl and how incorrigible you are. At least from time to time. But I’ll need to continue training you.”

He swatted me on the butt again and I yelped, biting my lip immediately as I looked to see if anyone had caught us.

“You better love all of me,” he insisted.

I held his gaze. “The truth is, I do and will until the end of time.”

He took a deep breath. “Until death do us part. Or… until you remember why you wanted to kill me.”

As he crushed his mouth against mine, the pitter-patter of my heart created tingles. As I shifted in his arms, my legs rubbed together and I was reminded I’d strapped the knife to my thigh before leaving that morning.

I’d hunted down a predator.

Instead, I’d found my prince.

The End