Page 66 of Whispers in the Dark
“Well.” I swallow hard, removing my hand from Mauro’s and hugging myself lightly. “I guess that just leaves us.”
Mauro drags a hand through his hair, lost in thought, before heading to the house farthest from the others. He opens the door, gesturing for me to enter. As I step through the threshold, my eyes take in the little slice of paradise, soaking up everything.
Natural wood tones, crisp white fabrics, and plush seating surround us. Lush greenery peeks in from the open walls, blending indoor comfort with the feeling of a hidden jungle paradise. The space is open, inviting, and utterly tranquil. A perfect little world all our own.
I follow Mauro through the cabana into the main bedroom, where he pulls back a white curtain and reveals the most breathtaking view I’ve ever seen.
My lips part as I move closer.
Crystal-blue water stretches endlessly beyond the balcony, shimmering beneath the sun. A soft breeze slips through the open space, brushing against my skin as my fingers trail over the impossibly soft white duvet covering the largest bed I’ve ever seen. The sheer drapes framing it sway gently, dancing with the wind.
I step outside and stop short.
An in-ground infinity pool curves along the edge of the deck, its transparent bottom giving the illusion that you’d be floating directly above the ocean.
A plump orange bird with a green head lands on the railing nearby, tilting its head as if studying us. I smile as it soars into the sky, disappearing into the endless blue.
“It’s just…” I shake my head, still taking it all in. “So magical. So beautiful.”
When I turn, I realize Mauro isn’t looking at the picturesque view, but at…me. His gaze lingers slowly and intently, tracing a path from my head to my toes. Heat blooms beneath his attention, and suddenly, my clothes feel too warm. There’s an itch inside me to take them off. For Mauro to take them off.
I bite down on my bottom lip, squeezing my thighs together.
And for the first time since we arrived, a dangerous thought slips in…
Do our rules still apply when we’re this far from home?
Chapter sixteen
Mauro
“No rules tonight, ladies!” the dance instructor shouts into the microphone just before a burst of salsa music crashes through the speakers.
On a raised stage at the center of the open-air restaurant, Alina, Madeleine, and Scarlett follow his lead by mimicking his steps, or at least attempting to. And Alina—God help me—grins through every misstep. She stumbles across the floor with no ounce of rhythm or grace, yet that smile of hers is impossible to ignore. It’s downright contagious, sparking something unfamiliar in the center of my chest.
“And turn! Three, two, one! Turn! And spin!”
It’s our third night here, and after a full day of sun-soaked lounging and unlimited drinks, the scene unfolding on that stage is pure chaos. And somehow, it’s the best damn thing I’ve seen all week.
Vin drops into the seat beside me. “It’s like watching three drunk monkeys realize they can walk for the first time.” He leansback in his seat, chuckling. “Madeleine has a hard time taking directions. She was a born leader.”
“You’re telling me,” Eli adds, appearing prideful as he slides into the chair across from us.
“Scarlett’s on her third piña colada,” Leo starts. “It’s only a matter of time before—
Scarlett goes down hard, laughter spilling out as Madeleine scrambles to help her up.
“And that’s my cue,” Leo says with a smirk. He’s already on his feet, scooping Scarlett up with ease. She laughs, curling into him.
The moment my gaze finds Alina, her eyes lift and lock onto mine. They catch the glow of the string lights overhead, shining bright. “Let me distract you.”Her words from days ago drift back to me, soft and dangerous, provoking a perilous need within me.
A need to have her.
To pleasure her.
To consume her.
And the moment she rubbed against me… All I wanted to do was toss her onto the bed and make her mine.
