Page 94 of Sins of the Orchid

Quickly, I made my way into the bathroom, combed my hair and brushed my teeth. I padded towards the soft noises and found Santi out on the balcony.

Stopping short at the doorway, a sharp inhale escaped me. The balcony overlooked the Ligurian Sea, the sparkling water view stretching for miles all around. Right off the Italian Riviera, the azure water stretched for miles, tranquil and crystalline. The villa had a stunning location, and I found myself wishing to remain here forever. It was magnificent.

Santi sat with a cup of coffee in his hands, skimming something on his phone. My heart skidded to a halt, then rushed forward in the next second. Heat flooded my body and an ache settled between my legs.

He was handsome, no doubt about that. I found him downright sexy. His upper half was completely bare, showing off his tanned and chiseled muscles and abs defined and mouthwatering. His body was pure perfection, the only disruption was the ink on his right hand, snaking up to his shoulder.

But it wasn’t the only thing that attracted me to Santi. On the outside, he was all hard, ruthless, and powerful. But on the inside, there was fierce protectiveness, caring for people he loved. Like the way he loved his Pà or cared for his brother. Even me. When I was with him, I felt like I could fight the world and still be safe because he would ensure it. Not that I wanted to fight the world. Just avenge my mother.

Santi set his phone down, his lips lifting as his dark eyes traveled over my body, commencing at my bare toes painted pink.

“Good morning,” he drawled. “Sleep well?” Delight danced in his eyes as he watched me blush at the question. We didn’t do that much sleeping.

While my body ached in the sweetest way and my muscles were sore, he looked refreshed and well-rested, like he’d slept for days. His dark hair was damp, and my fingers twitched to touch him.

Butterflies danced in my stomach, my eyes glued on his bronze skin, and on his lower abs was a faint trail of hair disappearing into his pants.Oh Gosh!My cheeks grew so hot with thoughts of licking that trail that I thought I’d catch on fire.

“Morning,” I finally murmured, unable to say anything else. I pushed my hand through my hair self-consciously. He looked put together while I was a frazzled, melting puddle of wantonness.

Swallowing my desire, I headed to the empty chair, but he grabbed my hand. We couldn’t be touching and having sex all day and all night. After all, it wasn’t practical.

“I don’t think so,” he said, as he pulled me onto his lap, and I squealed in surprise. “I want to feel you every second of the day. The last two months were too long.” My heart danced in delight that he wanted me as much as I wanted him.

“They were,” I agreed softly. I raised my hand to his cheek, then rested my palm against his scruff. “Much too long.”

As I sat on his lap, he poured me a cup of coffee. I watched his graceful movements, those hands that could bring me so much pleasure.

“Cream, no sugar. Right?”

I smiled, my chest warming. He remembered how I liked my coffee. I have watched him for so long, I felt I knew everything about him. His favorite gun. His favorite food. His favorite car. How he drank his coffee. I never imagined he paid attention to me too.

I nodded and he poured in a bit of cream then handed me the cup. “How did you know?” I asked.

His smile was charming, mischievous, and wicked. “I make a point of learning all your likes.”

Oh.

My heart glowed at his words. I tried not to read too much into it, but it was too late. My heart shuddered with feelings.

“Okay, then.” I’d test him. Not even sure why. “What’s my favorite color?”

“Pink.” No hesitation. “But I love you best in green. Like your eyes.”

I swore my heart shuddered in the best way possible.

“Favorite ice cream flavor?”

He chuckled. “Strawberry Cheesecake.” Right again. “Ben & Jerry’s. Those men will have to go, though,” he half-joked. “There is room for only one man in your life.”

Raising the cup to my mouth to hide a smile, I took a sip. The warm liquid traveled down my throat and a little moany sigh escaped me. The coffee was the next best thing to sex and ice cream.

“You fix good coffee,” I said, licking a tiny drop off my lower lip. A low groan sounded off Santi’s chest and I twisted around to search his face. “Everything okay?”

His gaze darkened and my pulse skidded to a stop. The groan came from deep in his chest and his hands tightened on my hips.

“I can’t get enough of you,” he purred, his breath hot against my ear while my back was against his chest.

Butterflies erupted in my stomach. A small smile curved my lips. It felt good to know he craved me as much as I craved him. Slowly, I took another sip and moaned again, grinding myself against his groin. I couldn’t resist taunting him, drunk on his desire for me. Or was it my desire for him?