AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know.” She spoke around a mouthful of chicken and rice. “He called me after.”
Santiago smiled at that. “I figured he would. For what it’s worth, he thinks highly of your legal skills and judgment.”
Ainsley’s ego preened. “That’s good to know.”
“Smart of him,” Santiago continued. “You’ve always been an amazing lawyer.”
The unexpected praise caught her by surprise. She sucked in a breath, inhaling a grain of rice. Her throat spasmed, triggering a fit of coughing that caused her to lean forward in her chair.
“Are you okay?” Santiago looked alarmed, and he set his fork down. Ainsley waved away his concern, but she couldn’t stop coughing. Santiago stood up and crouched next to her, placing his large hand flat on her back. He started to gently rub circles between her shoulder blades, leaning in close as though his proximity could help her.
Gradually, the coughing subsided. Santiago leaned over and grabbed a bottle of water off the counter of the low cabinets. He twisted off the cap and handed it to her, then resumed rubbing circles on her back.
Ainsley took a cautious sip, relieved when it didn’t trigger a new coughing fit. “Thanks,” she said, turning to look at him. “I think I’m good now.” Her voice sounded a little hoarse, belying her words.
He was close enough that she could see the thin ring of gold that circled his pupils. His eyes had always reminded her of green turquoise, the color almost too beautiful to be real.
The breath caught in her throat as he leaned in, his gaze intent on hers. She was acutely aware of his touch on her back. The warmth of his body heated the space between them, and she had the sudden urge to press herself to him, to flatten her curves against his solid chest and breathe in his intoxicating scent. His pheromones were better than any drug, and their effects as potent now as they’d ever been. She’d already overcome that particular addiction once. If she wasn’t careful, she’d get hooked again.
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
Ainsley nodded, not trusting her voice.
Santiago held her gaze a few seconds more, assessing her condition for himself. Apparently convinced she was telling the truth, he leaned back and placed his hand on the table as he stood.
Ainsley immediately felt the loss of his touch. She looked away as he sat in his chair again, hoping her disappointment didn’t show.
Get it together! she silently chided herself. She’d spent a grand total of an hour or so in Santiago’s presence over the last twenty-four hours, and she was already melting for him again. How was she going to survive this marriage retreat if she couldn’t keep her emotions and body in check?
“So what did you think of Ace?” Change the subject, focus on something else. By engaging her mind, maybe she could forget about the effect he was having on her body...
Santiago tilted his head to the side as he pinched a bit of chicken between his chopsticks. “I think he’s telling the truth.”
Some of the knots in Ainsley’s chest loosened at his words. “I think so, too,” she confessed. “But part of me was worried I wasn’t thinking clearly because he’s my brother—even if not biologically. It’s good to know you have the same impression.”
Santiago shot her a grin. “Always trust your instincts,” he advised. “I asked him a lot of questions this morning. I could tell by the way he answered that he was being truthful—he didn’t prevaricate, or hesitate to respond. And his words didn’t sound rehearsed, either.”
“This has been hard on him,” Ainsley said. A shadow passed over her heart as she thought about the events of the last several months. It felt like her family was coming apart at the seams, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t fix everything.
“I don’t think he’s the only one having trouble,” Santiago said softly. She looked up to find him watching her, his expression kind.
She smiled absently and pushed away her thoughts. “It’s been a shock to us all,” she said, striving to make her tone light. If he kept looking at her like that, she was going to break down and cry. And while Santiago had once been her safe harbor, she had to remember he wasn’t anymore.
“I spoke with the police after I talked to Ace,” he said, smoothly steering the conversation away from troubled waters. “One of the officers was helpful. Spencer Colton was his name—another family member?”
“A cousin,” Ainsley confirmed. “I’m glad he was cooperative.”
“Very,” Santiago said. “He put me in touch with the D.A.’s office, and they gave me the names and contact information of the witnesses in the case. I’ve already made appointments to speak to your brother’s housekeeper and the cleaner who discovered your father.”
Ainsley nodded. “That was fast.”
“No point in waiting,” he said. “Besides, you’re helping me out for the next week. I wanted to make a good faith effort on your brother’s case, so you wouldn’t think I was taking advantage of your cooperation.”
“I know you wouldn’t do that.” It was true. She might not be able to trust him with her heart, but she knew he was a man of his word. He’d told her he’d represent Ace. There was no doubt in her mind that he would follow through.
“I, uh, did want to talk to you about the retreat.” He shifted in his seat, looking uncharacteristically uncertain.
Interesting, she thought. Perhaps Santiago was having second thoughts about his plan? Maybe she wouldn’t have to spend the next seven days pretending to be the wife of the man who’d broken her heart?
