Page 48 of Wild Embers
I try to pull away, but he holds on firmly. “You knowyoungerme. You don’t know me now. I’m not the same girl.”
“I know that. If you were, then what we did last night would be illegal.” Santiago widens his eyes in an attempt to move our conversation into a more humorous tone.
Sighing with aggravation, my shoulders drop. “I’m serious.”
“Me too.” A hint of a smile tugs on Santiago’s lips. It takes everything in me to resist mirroring him.
Shaking my head, I steel my resolve. “I don’t need a commitment, and I know you don’t want the obligation.”
“You’re assuming, Blake. And you know what they say when you assume,” Santiago teases. When I give him a perturbed look, he sobers.
“Let’s be honest. We both know I didn’t return to Evergreen Falls permanently?—”
“Yet,” he interjects.
“What makes you think I want a boyfriend?” I snap back and regard him critically. “Now who’s the one assuming?”
“Fine. Honesty.” Santiago flips my hand over and begins tracing the lines of my palm, sending a tempting shiver up my spine. “Honestly, I don’t want just one night. I don’t want just a few days or a few weeks.” He pulls me toward him and places my hand on his chest over his beating heart. “Te quiero aquí. En mi cama. En mi vida.”
My chest constricts, comprehending the enormity of his claim.
I want you here. In my bed. In my life.
“Santi…” I breathe out. My hand slides up his chest to the side of his neck, settling on his cheek. He leans into my touch, turning his face to kiss my palm. “You have no idea how badly I’ve always wanted to hear you say something like that, but those were the wishes of a starry-eyed teenager. Being here—in this town—it brings up things I’d rather let stay buried.”
“Then hand me a shovel. I’m good at burying things,” he asserts earnestly.
My chuckle lacks humor. “It’s not that simple.”
“No,” Santiago returns. “You’re notlettingit be that simple.”
We remain there in our standstill. My hand on his cheek, his hand holding mine in place, and our eyes locked in a silent plea with each other.
For now, we agree to disagree.
But I have a feeling this is a fight I won’t win, and I’m not sure I want to.
I briefly allow myself to picture it. Living here with him. Waking up to each other every morning.
But there’s a flaw in my impractical daydream.
Levi and Walker aren’t there.
Santiago interrupts my internal crisis. “Time for your second prize.”
“My second…Oh.” My heart pounds as I recall what I asked for. “On second thought, I’m good. No need.”
I don’t know why I made that part of the bet. I’m going to blame it on the alcohol.
“What’s wrong?” His lips purse skeptically.
Shaking my head, I stand from the bed and move to find the rest of my clothes. “Nothing. I’m just tired.”
Santiago follows me, gripping my shoulders and forcing me to face him. “Are you…” His gaze analyzes me, perceiving too much. “Are you afraid of horses?”
“No,” I answer too sharply.
His mouth falls open on a booming laugh. I force a frown onto my face even though I want to laugh with him. “You. Blake Jennings. Born and raised in Wyoming. You’re afraid of horses?”
