Book 3: Chapter 28

Santiago lifted a finger to his lips, gesturing for her to stay quiet, his eyes dancing with amusement as he took in her stunned expression. But Esmeralda, unable to contain the whirlwind of questions swirling inside her, slipped out of bed, her voice barely above a whisper as she fired off the first thing that came to mind.

“Santiago, how did you get inside?” she demanded, glancing anxiously at the door. “Did Diego see you? Did the maids—”

Before she could spiral further, Santiago chuckled, stepping closer and placing a calming hand on her shoulder.

“Relax, Esme,” he murmured, his voice carrying an infuriating calmness. “No one saw me. Diego is… preoccupied, let’s say, far too busy to even notice if the entire house were being robbed.”

His words should have reassured her, but the realization of her own vulnerability struck her harder. She suddenly became aware of her state, she was standing naked before him, and a blush spread across her cheeks. In a reflex