Page 51 of Indulging Temptation (Tempting the Heart #1)

SANTINO

T his isn’t how I envisioned the aftermath of our first time together would be. Then again, I didn’t think I’d pay five grand to have her to myself in a fucking restaurant, but that’s what she does to me. She takes my already fleeting sense of rationale and completely obliterates it.

However, seeing her cry, as she runs to her mom, hugging her, holding onto to her for dear life, drives a stake through my damn heart. She’s too beautiful, too pure, even with the jagged edges of her feisty personality, to be brought down by the cruel shit life throws our way.

If I had my way, I would make whatever deal I could, with whatever higher power that exists to take any and all pain away from her.

If only life were that easy.

I know from experience that it’s anything but, so the next best thing, and the only thing I can do in situations like this, is to be there for her, like I am right now.

Though as I sit on the couch next to Mrs. Ramos’ boyfriend, Adrian, at her house in Scarsdale, I can’t help but feel an immense sense of guilt. And it has nothing to do with the guilt I should be feeling for the things I did to Lorena prior to us coming here.

It’s seeing Lorena, emotional and relieved that her mom is okay, after Adrian called to say that she was taken to the hospital. Seeing the love and compassion she has towards her mother, it’s how I wish I felt for my dad with his recent hospital stay.

Truth is, with how fractured things are with my dad, I think if something were to happen to him that would result in him not being here anymore, I would feel relief in place of the sadness that I should feel.

He’s been nothing but a burden to me. A reminder of how quickly life can change, and how some people – family included – aren’t meant to stay in your life forever.

The shattered feelings I have towards my dad are thankfully something that Lorena and Tomás can’t relate to when it comes to their own mother, thankfully.

This is a pain I don’t wish on even my worst enemy.

It’s like living with a gaping hole in your heart, one that time makes bigger and nothing can truly mend.

“It’s nice to see you,” Adrian says to me, snapping me from my daze.

“Yeah, you too.”

“Thank you both for coming. I’m sorry if I interrupted your evening.

” His gaze alternates between me and Lorena, and I can’t tell if he’s insinuating that we were on a date, so I swoop in with a save, because if I had to take a guess, Lorena has not disclosed our friends with benefits situation.

I mean, why the hell would she? I know her and her mom are close, but I highly doubt their relationship goes to that level.

“Oh no, it’s fine. We were just at a business dinner. I’m glad you called, and that Camila is alright and was able to come home. Lorena was worried sick the whole car ride here.”

“Well, I appreciate you, Tino. You’re a good friend to Lorena and Tomás.

Speaking of Tomás, I’m surprised he picked up the phone when he saw my name on the caller ID so I could let him know what was going on with his mom.

He’s flying back into New York from Colorado on a red-eye, so he’ll be here early in the morning.

She really scared me this time when her breathing became shallow, so I panicked and rushed her into the emergency room.

I’m just thankful she’s okay, and they got her pain under control, that way she can sleep comfortably in our bed tonight,” Adrian says.

He lets out a sigh. The remnants of worry still riddled on his face as he stares at Lorena’s mom.

They’ve been together for years and never married, since Camila swore her late husband was the one and only marriage she’ll ever go through.

But the dedication he has to her transcends what any piece of paper or ring could provide.

It’s special to witness. Even if I know Tomás does not view their relationship that way.

“I’m happy to see you both, but you didn’t have to interrupt your plans. I’m…” Camila stops to catch her breath and when she goes to speak again, her voice is shaky. “I’m okay.”

“Ma, do you hear yourself? You are not okay. You can barely speak.”

Feisty as ever, Camila swats her hand at Lorena. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she says, her voice is strained, not sounding like herself. Camila goes to get up from her chair, and Lorena looks at me, mouthing ‘ she’s so stubborn ’ as she gets up and shadows her mom’s every move.

“Lorena Juanita Ramos. Enough. I already have a headache; I don’t need you tacking onto it. Cállate,” Camila says as she slowly makes her way over to me and her boyfriend.

Lorena remains near her mom, far enough to oblige her mom’s need to get up and walk, but close enough that if she loses her balance, or god forbid falls, she’s there to catch her.

Not like I wouldn’t swoop in to help if that were the case, but I admire Lorena’s strength and need to help those she loves, so I stay where I’m sitting for now, waiting for her and her mom to walk over, while still keeping an eye on them both, just in case.

To my surprise, Lorena bites her tongue.

And the simple act draws an unexpected surge of déjà vu and nostalgia my way.

I didn’t get as many years as Lorena has currently with her mom with my own being alive, but whenever she would snap at me and my brothers and tell us to quit our nagging or whatever we were doing to annoy her, we all would zip it and listen immediately.

Some would say it was out of fear of the consequence that would come if we didn’t listen, but really, it was out of respect.

Something I know Lorena has an immense amount of for her mom, same way I had and would still have for mine if she were still here.

“Santino.” Camila’s voice sounds even weaker.

“Ma,” Lorena croaks out through a clicking tongue. “See. You need to sit.”

“Ay, Dios mío,” Camila says rolling her eyes at Lorena, she continues to walk near me, and I rise to give her a hug.

“It’s so good to see you, Tino. It’s been too long.”

“I know, I’m sorry, Mrs. Ramos.”

“You hear that, Adrian, he’s so respectful, he’s known me for what feels like forever and still calls me Mrs. Ramos, so formal.

” Her vocal cords are clearly irritated, everything she’s saying is coming out hoarse, her tone reduced to a whisper, a common symptom that happens with people who have Myasthenia Gravis, the autoimmune condition she was diagnosed with shortly after her husband’s passing.

Still, she pushes through. “I don’t know how you work with her, she’s insufferable,” she jokes.

“I heard that!” Lorena exclaims.

“No, your daughter is a saint for putting up with me. She’s absolutely incredible.

” The words come out a little too fast and enthusiastic, and in my subconscious, I know that has nothing to do with how she works.

Which, yes, since Lorena has become my media liaison, as she and Tomás put it, she’s been nothing short of amazing, and it’s everything to do with how amazing she makes me feel.

Whether she’s on her knees, or on the floor with her legs spread and wanting me to fill her, or when she’s lost in her work, just sitting and looking so effortlessly stunning, and she has no idea I’m looking at her.

Studying her every feature, praying to a god I’m not convinced exists, that one day she will retire her name and take on mine in whichever way she prefers.

It’s all a dream. She’s a dream. An amazing dream.

One that has me feeling like a damn lovestruck teenager.

I clear my throat, correcting myself. “I mean, she’s incredible to work with.

” Nope, that doesn’t sound personal enough.

“I mean, in general.” Wow, too vague, yet making this painfully awkward and obvious that there’s more I’m trying to conceal.

“She’s been great to be with.” Tino, Jesus fuck already, get with it. “And work with.”

Her mom assesses my face, giving Adrian a quick glance, and then Lorena. “Right. Well, I’m glad it’s working out so well with you two.”

“Yep,” Lorena and I say in unison. Only adding to what I’m sure is a slew of suspicions swirling around her mom and her boyfriend’s heads.

“Here, Mrs. Ramos, sit down.” I reach for her hand, guiding her to the seat that I was just sitting in next to her boyfriend.

I know Tomás can’t stand him and has been resentful of the fact that it was their dad’s best friend that their mom began to date after his passing.

Though, watching the way he cares for her, I know that if a heaven does exist, or a spiritual realm, whatever you want to call it, I’m certain that he’s looking down and is thankful the love of his life is being taken care of.

“Thank you,” she says with a weakened and drooped expression on her face.

Adrian shifts into his caretaker role, getting up to grab something from the bag they received from the hospital.

“Here, mi amor.” He has what looks to be a small odd-shaped piece of black cloth with two strings attached in his hand. Lorena’s mom turns her head in the opposite direction.

“What’s that?” Lorena asks, concerned.

Her mom’s lips part, but it’s her boyfriend who speaks for her, seeing how tired she is.

“We still need to follow up with her neurologist, but your mom has been experiencing a lot of muscle weakness, which is on par with Myasthenia. However, it’s not only in her limbs; it has now spread to her face, particularly her eyes.

They have become weakened and are having a difficult time staying open, which has been causing a doubling of her vision. ”

“Oh god,” Lorena breathes out. Processing what Adrian just said, she closes the gap between us, reaching for my hand. Our fingers weave together as he continues, though there’s no denying the quick glance down he does to our conjoined hands.