Chapter 59 59
It was the first time she had ever spoken his name.
The sound of it soft, hesitant, wrapped in her sweetness slid from her lips and straight into his bloodstream. It drove him mad. The hunter inside him stirred violently, a restless beast clawing against invisible bars, desperate to be unleashed.
“Say it again,” he rasped, his grip on her waist tightening as if anchoring himself to her.
The sparks between them were unbearable.
“F-Fernando…” she whispered once more, her voice trembling, fragile and achingly gentle. Her shyness was lethal. The blush staining her cheeks was devastating.
“You’ll be the death of me, woman,” he growled, and she peeked up at him through her lashes.
“I can’t,” she breathed, so softly it barely existed. “That would kill me too.”
If he hadn’t been so close, he would’ve missed it. And damn it those words struck something deep inside his chest, sending a rush of pure, heady ecstasy through his veins.
A faint, delicate smile curved his lips.
Sofia nearly gasped.
There was something in his eyes she had never seen before something far removed from hunger or need. He was looking at her with love. Real, unguarded love. And that smile… it was rare, precious, utterly lethal. Seeing it on the face of a man who lived in perpetual fury stole the breath straight from her lungs.
“I won’t let anything harm you,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing, a tone he hadn’t even known he possessed.
“I know,” she replied instantly, her answer accompanied by a radiant smile that made his chest ache.
Before he lost himself completely before instinct took over and he devoured her whole he pressed a gentle kiss to the crown of her head and stepped back.
Taking her small, delicate hand in his much larger one, he led her out of the room. Sofia followed like a dazed child, trying to gather the scattered pieces of her senses.
He opened the car door for her, every inch the gentleman, helping her into the tall vehicle. After closing the door, he rounded to his side and slid in beside her.
Seatbelts clicked into place. The engine roared to life, and soon the city blurred past as he drove.
“Where are we going?” she asked softly, trying to break the silence.
“You’ll see,” he replied curtly and that was all he gave her.
The quiet didn’t last long. He pulled to a stop in front of an elegant, high-end restaurant, and Sofia instantly stiffened. Places like this weren’t meant for her. She had never been comfortable among luxury or wealth.
Fernando, however, was the exception.
He helped her out of the car, and under his attentive care, she felt absurdly like a queen.
The manager hurried over, greeting him with unmistakable respect. Instead of being led to the main dining area, they were ushered into an elevator. As it rose and the doors finally slid open, Sofia gasped.
They were on the terrace.
One table. Two chairs. Positioned perfectly at the edge, surrounded by flowers and glowing candles. It was breathtaking so beautiful it warmed her heart until it felt too full.
Fernando pulled out her chair and guided her into it with practiced grace. She was far too stunned to speak.
She took in the decorations, the intimacy of the space, the complete absence of other people. It made her relax. Made her feel safe.
Fernando, meanwhile, watched her.
“You like it?” he asked.
She nodded eagerly. “It’s beautiful,” she murmured.
He nodded, satisfied.
The waiter arrived, and Fernando proceeded to order nearly everything on the menu. Sofia stared at the food and then at him.
“Eat,” he said simply, answering the question she hadn’t voiced.
She obeyed quietly and heaven help her, the food was incredible. They ate in comfortable silence. Once they were finished, the table was cleared.
Soft music drifted through the air, and Sofia found herself humming along.
Fernando stood and moved toward her. He didn’t ask her to dance. He simply reached out, caught her wrist, and pulled her to him.
She collided with his solid chest as his hands locked around her waist, firm and possessive.
He began to move, guiding her effortlessly. Slowly, carefully, Sofia lifted her hands and rested them around his neck, letting him lead.
“You don’t know how to dance,” he murmured near her ear, his voice husky.
She nodded, cheeks burning.
“It’s okay, doll,” he teased softly. “I know how to make your body move.”
Her face turned beetroot red, eyes widening at the double meaning. Her heart raced so fast it almost frightened her. The happiness swelling inside her felt fragile, terrifyingly precious. The thought of it being ripped away made her chest tighten.
Without thinking, she leaned forward and rested her head against his chest, right over his heart.
Fernando froze.
Every muscle in his body locked tight. Softness was foreign to him. Emotions even more so. But something inside him demanded that he hold her.
And so he did.
He wrapped her in a crushing, protective embrace, pulling her into a bear hug. She melted into him, surrounded by safety and warmth, sparks igniting wherever they touched.
Her ear pressed to his chest, she listened to his heartbeat steady, strong, soothing like a lullaby.
And in that moment, all she felt was love.
No fear. No doubt. Just love.
“Thank you,” she whispered, loosening her hold on his neck only to wrap her arms around his torso instead.
“No… shh,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple.
“Thank you, doll,” he husked, tightening his arms around her. “Thank you.”
It felt like heaven.
But hell was closer than they knew.
And the storm racing toward them was already gathering strength.