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Emiliano immediately begins speaking angrily in rapid Spanish, to which Miguel lifts an eyebrow but doesn’t otherwise respond physically. The shorter, burlier man approaches the taller one, his stance physically threatening.
But Miguel doesn’t seem intimidated in the least. He replies in a calm voice, and I catch Vincente’s name in the stream of unrecognizable words.
Emiliano’s hands fly up and he stalks back toward the bed, continuing his Spanish tirade to Manuel.
Miguel gestures for me to join him, and I gleefully accept his hand and depart the room.
“And how are you enjoying the party, Summer?” Miguel smiles, tucking my hand into the crook of his arm as he guides me through the party.
“You know, it’s been lovely, but I think I’m ready to head home.”
“Well, it was lovely to have you join us. I’ll just get you to the elevator. Your ride should be waiting downstairs.”
We pass through the party with no further incident, and when I reach the lobby, Vincente is waiting for me as soon as the doors open. He takes my hand and escorts me outside, where I gratefully slide into the limo.
“Are you okay?” His warm, concerned voice nearly cracks my calm facade.
“I’m alright,” I reply, and it’s true. I am alright. I did everything I was supposed to do. I proved my loyalty, and now the entire ordeal is over with. But I’m still not ready to let down my guard. My body feels as though it’s on high alert and I’m just waiting for the next thing.
The limo pulls smoothly from the circle drive of the hotel, and we head back toward downtown, where I can retrieve my car and head home.
Oh lord, I forgot about the dumpster fire that is waiting for me at home.
“Sloane, are you sure you’re okay?” Vincente’s eyes haven’t left my face.
“I just remembered I have to deal with my mom, after all this,” I admit. “I had a ton of voicemail from her when I turned my phone on. It can’t be good.”
To my surprise, he pulls me into a tight hug, and after a moment of stiffness, I melt into it.
“I’m happy you’re alright,” he murmurs, warm breath tickling my ear. “When you texted me, I was worried. My cousins are… paranoid, at best. At worst, they’re downright reckless.”
“I’m alright,” I say again, but smooth a palm over his wide back, comforting him. I realize his body is trembling slightly, and he takes several deep breaths before his arms loosen and he pulls back. “Vincente, I-”
And then he kisses me.
Chapter23
At first surprised, my passion swiftly kicks into high gear in response. This is not a gentle kiss, it’s full of restrained desire and I feel as if Vincente is trying to devour me.
I’m only too happy to reply in kind, my lips and tongue racing to keep up. Something about this is shockingly familiar in the most delicious of ways. At first, I assume it’s because I’ve been making out with both of his brothers, particularly Elian, who is like a slightly younger, more boyish version.
Then it hits me like a lightning bolt, and I draw back with a gasp.
“It was you!”
Vincente’s head turns to the side slightly. “What?”
“That Halloween party, dressed as Zorro. I thought it was Elian but it wasyou.”
A slightly guilty look crosses his face. “Yes, I’ll admit it. That was me. I knew how Elian felt about you, and with his situation, we all agreed not to make a move. But then you grabbed me and… well, I just couldn’t resist a taste.”
The guilt turns into an expression I can only describe as ‘naughty schoolboy’ and my gut clenches. “Have you thought about it much since then?”
“Well, yeah,” I admit. “I didn’t exactly have a huge social life in college, and I can count on one hand the times I’ve made out with someone at a party. I knew afterward it wasn’t Elian. At least I suspected, once I was sober, that it wasn’t really him. But I didn’t know it was you.”
“You got me,” he shrugs. “I definitely knew better. And even though I’d never take advantage of an intoxicated woman, I had to get out of there before I was too tempted.” His naughty grin turns darker. “You were quite difficult to resist, you should know. Running your hands all over my body like you were desperate to get me out of my clothes. Although I must admit, you’re a much better kisser sober.”
With that, he leans in and steals another kiss before I push him back.
