Falling With Grace

“Buenas noches.”

I walked out of her room and down the hall, stopping Alba on my way back to the dining room, her hands filled with dishes. “She’s waiting for you now.”

She nodded and brushed past me as Nadia’s laughter bubbled out of the opened double doors, leading me to the patio.

Why couldn’t she have gone home?

The warm country air wrapped around me as I stepped outside, and the familiar buzzing of nighttime critters settled in the background.

Nadia crossed her lean legs, her foot bouncing with restless energy. A glass of amber liquor rested in her hands, the ice tinkling against the walls as she leaned forward, engrossed ina story that only she laughed at. Her perfume lingered in the air, a subtle fragrance amidst the chlorine.

Javier sat across from her, his face etched with a scowl, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. The tension taut with a biting undercurrent.

I scanned the pool and bar, finding no trace of a green-eyed brunette. “Where’s Grace?”

Javier’s glare met mine as he dropped his hand from his face and nodded toward the house. “She went to bed.”

“Did she say why?”

“Just a small stomachache.” Nadia bounced in front of me. “She’s fine. Come and sit with me. I miss you.”

I flashed Javier a raised brow and a slight nod to the house.

“Alright, fine. I’ll go check on her.” Javier crawled out of his chair and into the house as Nadia led me towards the couch.

We sat, and she slipped into my lap, my spine stiffening as though she’d never clung to me before. Warm lips pressed against my throat and traveled to my ear, her teeth nipping at my lobe.

“I’ve missed you, Elias.”

“You saw me yesterday.”

She drew up and glanced at me, her eyes flicking to the cut on my brow. “What happened?”

I flicked her hand away as she reached for it, dodging her touch, the wound on my side aching.

“Business.”

She sighed, her teeth clenching together. “It’s always business with you, Elias.”

Her hand touched my cheek, and the excitement I used to feel never sparked.

“This is what successful men do.”

She snorted. “Is that why you’re using the poor girl?” She shook her head with narrowed eyes. “What is your fascination with her anyway?”

Footsteps sounded behind us, and I glanced back. Javier stepped back out onto the patio.

“Well,Romeo? How is the princess feeling?” Nadia laughed, her hand brushing over the taped cut on my waist.

Javier sunk into his seat and picked up his drink. “She’s fine.”

“What’s going on with you and Grace? I saw you two flirting at the table.”

I snickered as he sipped his drink andshook his head. “She’s not my type.”

“You’re right. I bet she’s too poor for your taste. Maybe a high-end girl would do the trick?”

“You know…” He rocked his finger in the air and tipped his head back against the seat. “I imagine there would need to be something dangling between her legs before I find an ounce of interest.”