Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Esteban
Istare at my reflection in the mirror, towel slung around my hips, toothbrush hanging loosely in my mouth.
The bathroom is still fogged from my shower, and I take my time drying off, stalling even though I know there’s no reason to.
I already took care of my needs—just like I did last night, and the night before that.
Hell, like I’ve been doing ever since Eva came back into my life.
Today was a damn good day of sun, sand, and Eva in that one-piece swimsuit that drove me straight to madness.
I tried to play it cool, but when she smiled at me, when she laughed at one of my dumb comments or leaned close to whisper something that didn’t even matter, I knew I was screwed. And not in the fun way.
After the beach, we came back to the house and had dinner with everyone.
Hunter started asking about Honey Springs—peppering us with questions about land, schools, subcontractors, and so much more.
The guy’s got that spark in his eye, the kind you see when someone’s already building something in their head, piece by piece.
It’s wild to think that just a few weeks ago, none of this was even on the table.
Now, it feels like we’re all standing on the edge of something big.
And I believe he’s going to give us the deal.
He hasn’t said it outright, but the way he talks to us is like he already has.
But that’s not what’s keeping me up tonight.
Eva’s already in bed. She got in quietly after her shower, hair damp and face bare, curled up on her side like she owns the damn space without even trying.
I told myself I’d only take a few more minutes in here, but let’s be honest—I needed space.
I needed time. Having her in my arms at the beach this afternoon?
Yeah, I might’ve overdone it with the kisses on her shoulder and holding her tighter than necessary when the waves hit. Sue me. I’m only human.
At least Noah didn’t pull me aside afterward with one of his “don’t mess this up” speeches.
I run a hand down my face, sighing. I need to get through one more night. One more night of sharing a bed with her and pretending it’s no big deal. That I’m not falling a little harder each time she laughs, or that I don’t already miss her when she turns away from me in her sleep.
I pull on a pair of boxers, shorts, and a T-shirt, then open the door quietly and step into the room. There she is, still curled up in the bed. Lights off except for the faint glow from her phone screen, she’s scrolling slowly, aimlessly, like she’s not really seeing it.
She doesn’t look up when I slip under the covers, but she scoots an inch closer. That’s all it takes to undo me.
Just one inch.
“How’s your social media going? Do you need me to be in any more of your videos?” I ask as I move closer to her.
Eva turns toward me, her eyes soft. “It’s going great. Sales are better than I expected. When I get back tomorrow, I have a ton of stuff to pack and ship. But yeah, I’d love to film a few more videos. Maybe get your thoughts on the products you’ve been trying this week.”
“Sure. Count on me. I love the products,” I say with a wink. “And you know I’d do anything to help you.”
I open my arms to her and smile. “Wanna sleep in my arms again, mi amor?”
She chuckles, her eyes lighting up with that flirty spark that always knocks the breath out of me. “What if I say yes?”
Damn. She’s killing me.
Every time I call her mi amor, I mean it. And every time she doesn’t flinch, every time she leans in closer, I feel something shift in my chest. I swallow hard, trying to play it cool, but it’s getting harder every time she looks at me like that.
I’m battling with myself here—every muscle in my body screaming to pull her closer, to press my mouth to hers and finally see what she really tastes like. But I hold back, like I always do, and just open my arms.
She leans into my chest, her body fitting against mine like it’s always belonged there. The scent of her shampoo hits me first, soft and fruity. Then it’s the heat of her skin, the way her hair brushes against my chin as I bend down just enough to breathe her in.
She tilts her head to look up at me and this time, we’re really close. One small move and I could kiss her.
“Thank you for all your help with my videos,” she whispers. “I have to confess… the ones with you have gone kind of viral. I’m so glad I didn’t tag you.”
I raise a brow. “Why? Afraid I’d end up with a fan club and become Instafamous like you?”
She laughs, the sound soft and sweet in the quiet room. “No, I just don’t want women going crazy and stalking you on social media. I can already imagine the DMs and new followers.”
“Well, lucky for both of us, my profile’s private, and I have zero interest in becoming Instafamous.”
“Good,” she says with a smirk. “I don’t like to share.” She leans closer and gives me a soft kiss on the lips.
“Fuck,” I say quietly before grabbing her and pulling her closer still. My arms circling her. One of my hands find her thigh and then I push her shirt up, leaving her hip bare to my palm.
A warm sensation spread through my body as she rests against me. I have never felt like this with anyone. This right here is new.
And I… I love it.
This isn’t sex.
This isn’t carnal attraction.
This is so much more than I’ve ever had.
And as much as I try to keep myself in check in this moment, with her in my arms, I cave and kiss her back.
Softly this time. Her hand rests on my chest, then she moves it to pull my shirt up.
Moving it up my chest, her fingers trailing over my abs up and down, getting closer to the waistband on my pants.
I blow out a heavy breath. “Careful, any lower and we’re gonna have a problem.”
“We wouldn’t want that,” she says as my hand slide up her side, pulling her shirt with it.
“No, we wouldn’t.” My hand connects with the side of her perfect breast.
She moans softly and moves closer to me. “Do that again and I might straddle you.”
“Can’t have that,” I say. “Maybe you should, uh… roll over, face away from me.”
“Maybe,” she says. “Think it would make this better?”
“Yeah.” I let out a short breath. “I think so.”
Pushing off my chest, she stares down at my face.
I think for a moment that she’s going to turn and give me her back, but she doesn’t.
I glance at her mouth and then back at her eyes.
Her tongue peeks out, wetting her lips, and I swear with that one little movement, she has me panting, needing more.
She lowers her mouth, mere inches from my face, and I wait a moment to see if she will kiss me again.
When I wet my lips she leans closer and does just that.
I pull her closer, her chest on top of mine.
My hands roam her back and lower toward her ass.
That’s when I notice something that has me pulling back in shock. “You’re not wearing underwear.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Why not?” I ask, speaking to her lips.
“To see if you would touch me.”
“You want my hands on your body?” I ask as I roam her back again and grab a handful of her perfect ass.
“Yes,” Eva whispers as we keep looking into each other’s eyes. I’m not strong enough to keep holding back, so I kiss her again. This time my kiss is hard. Her tongue playing with mine as I keep touching her naked back. Then I stop the kiss, blurting, “We shouldn’t.”
“Then you can’t keep kissing me and touching me like this. You’re making me wet.”
“How wet?” I ask, my control hanging by a thread.
“Very.” She moves one of her hands and I feel how she place it between her legs and touches herself. Moving her fingers back, she swipes her wet fingers across my bottom lip.
“Fuck,” I growl. “You taste so fucking good, Eva.”
“Do you want more? Don’t you want to bury your tongue between my legs and feast on me?”
“Don’t,” I say as I push her off me and lay her back on the bed. Now I’m looking down at her as my hands roam her front. “Fuck, please don’t keep tempting me.”
She grabs one of my hands and move it toward her breast. I touch her with one hand while I use the other one to move her shirt to her neck, giving me a perfect view of her tits.
Both a handful, her rosy nipples hard and begging for attention.
I stare at my fingers as I trace one of her nipples slowly.
I lean down and take one in my mouth. Eva pants as she opens her legs.
That’s when I look down to her perfect pretty pussy. Pink and glistening with her arousal.
“I should’t do this Eva. Your brother will kill me.” I say, dragging my eyes back to hers.
“I’m a big girl. I want you so bad. Please, just touch me.” She whimpers. Unable to hold back any longer, I lean down and bring my mouth to her neck kissing, nibbling, and tasting.
“Yes, baby,” she says, her hand floating into my hair, tugging on the short strands. “Fuck me, Esteban.”
That spurs me on as my mouth peppers kisses along her jaw and down her breast as she reaches down and start to stroke me over my shorts.
“Puneta,” I grumble, moving away from her to push my pants down and take my cock out. Staring at her, I start stroking myself as she spread her legs and moves her hand over her pussy, pressing two fingers to her clit while I move my free hand to pinch one of her nipples.
Her mouth falls open as she gasps, and I smile knowing I’m making her go crazy. I move closer to her pussy, still stroking my dick as I get closer to where I want to be. Then she opens her legs wider, showing me her beautiful pussy.
My mouth waters. I need to have a taste of her.
I’ve been wanting to taste her for so fucking long. And right now, I don’t give a flying fuck about Noah or anything else. He will kill me anyway, so I might as well enjoy myself. I move down completely and kneel between her legs. Parting her with my thumb, I slide my tongue along her slick clit.
“Oh my God,” she whispers as her chest lifts up.