Falling With Grace

She was prettier up close with her cascading black locks, rosy lips, and sun-kissed complexion.

In stark contrast, I embodied a paler shade, marked by the absence of sun exposure and Hispanic heritage, with green eyes and unassuming brown hair.

No comparison existed between us.

She was simply beautiful.

“She had an accident.”

Elias patted the wound with the cloth, and I hissed, dodging his next attempt, my hand swiping his touch away.

He countered,his other hand sweeping across my vision, seizing the hand that hit him. His thick fingers wrapped around my wrist with a punishing grip. “Hold still.”

“Looks like she doesn’t want you touching her, Elias.” Nadia snatched the cloth from his hand and bumped him to the side with a hip check, his warm grip releasing. “Here. Let me. You men are so gruff sometimes.”

“Nadia…”

She gave him a glaring smile, then turned her attention to me. “Hi, I’m Nadia. Elias’prometida.” She pressed the cloth to my chin with a gentle hand, her finger touching the branding tattoo behind my ear. “And you are?”

I glanced at Elias, who loomed over us, his broad shoulders tapering down to narrow hips where his hands rested.

His fiancée?

“I’m Grace—”

“She’s myguest, Nadia. There’s no need for an interrogation.”

Had he told her the reason I was here?

Nadia smiled, using a firmer hand against my wound, causing me to flinch. “I’m not interrogating her.” She glared at him. “If she’sourguest, shouldn’t I get to know her a little?” She leaned to the side, her finger sliding behind my ear beyond my tattoo. A smile curved her plump lips as she leaned back.

“Myguest.” Elias’ jaw pulsed, his brows drawing down as he moved in. “Nadia, go drink your mimosa.”

“Touchy, touchy.”

She tossed the cloth to the counter and stepped away, my shoulders sagging.

“Thank… thank you, Nadia.” My voice broke as I whispered and turned away from Elias, watching her walk back to the table.

She sat beside Rosa, who continued sipping on a small cup as Elias picked up the cloth.

I stepped away. “I think it’s okay now.”

He pointed his finger at the floor before him. “Come back here.”

My shoulders hunched, and my gaze hit the floor.

Nadia banged her hand on the table. “Do you treat all ofyourguests like dogs, Elias?”

I shuffled forward, invading his space, and looked up at him.

“I’m almost done.”

A lump formed in my throat as his dark gaze softened, his touch gentle as he brought the cloth back tomy chin.

I swallowed as heat bloomed in my belly.

What was this?