Redeemed (Dirty Air #4)(110)

“If you keep this up, you’ll never see your surprise.”

I groan. “Surprise? I thought we agreed those are the worst! Right up there with gender reveal parties still being a thing.”

His breath tickles my ear as he releases a hoarse laugh. “But I promise you’ll like this one. Trust me.”

A door creaks open, and Santiago shuffles me inside. I keep my fingers secured over my eyes. Deep down I don’t want to ruin whatever he’s planned, even if it is a surprise.

“Did you finally add a Red Room of Pain to this creepy castle?”

“No. And Mr. Grey will not see you now or ever.” He halts, forcing me to stop.

“You’re kind of sexy when you get jealous.”

His lips press against mine. It’s brief, and I yearn for more the moment he pulls away.

“Do you ever stop talking?”

“Only when your cock is in my mouth.”

He lets out a howl of laughter.

I drop my hands, wanting to see his smile. What I find is so much better.

“Oh my God.” I stare wide-eyed at the room.

Can someone please scoop my jaw up off the floor and return it back to its rightful place?

Santiago remains silent as I take it all in.

Huge bay windows allow for the afternoon sun to light the room. A massive white table and comfy chair is set up in the middle. Empty embroidery hoops of every size line one wall, making a pretty cool design. Clear drawers filled with supplies line another wall.

I walk toward one of the drawers and pull it open. T-shirts of every color and material are lined up perfectly. The next drawer reveals threads from the entire rainbow. Other drawers house jeans of all sizes, hats, and sweaters. You name it, he bought it.

It’s a crafting paradise. I couldn’t have dreamed up this design even if I wanted to.

I turn toward the man who made this all possible and run into his arms.

He lifts me up and spins me in a circle. “Do you like it?”

I cradle his face and place a bunch of kisses all over it. “Do I like it? I love it!”

“Now you have no excuse not to chase after your dream. There’s an Etsy shop waiting for you.”

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” I say between kisses.

“No. Thank you for reminding me what it means to have a passion. This is only the start of returning that favor.”

“Is this your way of getting me to come over every single day once I get my own apartment in town?”

He smirks. “No. This is my way of getting you to stay. Permanently. I don’t want you to move out.”

“We can’t live together. We’re not even married!”

He laughs. “Is that a necessity? Because I can amend that problem very fast.”

I smack his arm. “Don’t joke.”

“Who said anything about joking?”

“You want me to move in with you? Like forever?”

“Unless you have somewhere else to go, I think that’s what permanently means.”

I roll my eyes. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am.”

“You’re crazy.”

“So are you.”

“I don’t cook.”

He laughs. “I do.”

I tick off another finger on my hand. “I don’t clean very much.”

“There’s a maid for that.”

“I leave my makeup all over the counter, and my clothes never make it into the hamper.”

“I’ve yet to hear a real negative in all this rambling of yours.”

I grin up at him. “You really want this?”

“More than anything else.”

“That can’t be true. There has to be something else you want.”

“There is. But some things take time and even you aren’t ready for that.”

What on Earth does that mean?!

He leans down and kisses me. It’s an electric storm growing between us, morphing into something uncontrollable. Like lightning could be crashing down around us and we wouldn’t even notice.

I’d be a fool to say no after a declaration of love like that. It looks like I’m staying in Italy after all.





“I have somewhere I want to take you.” Santiago grabs my hand and pulls me up from the couch.

“Is it an art store?”

“No.”

“The grocery store?”

“God, no. Why would I want to take you there?”

“Because I ate the last couple of Oreos last night after you fell asleep.”

“Seriously? You didn’t bother saving one?”

I shrug. “Do crumbs count?”

He shakes his head as if he can’t believe he was lucky enough to score someone as thoughtful as me. I know. I’m such a catch, even the Oreos couldn’t resist me.

An idea hits me. “Oh, I know! We’re going to the junk yard to search for your next restoration job.”

He grunts. “No. I’m taking you on our first official date as a real couple. Are you happy now?”

“Even better!” I bounce off the couch and into his arms.

He cradles my face and places a soft kiss on my lips.

I lean into his touch, silently begging for more.