Page 122 of The Man with a Treasure

Wet eyes opened and stared at me as if she were seeing something in me that I hadn’t dared believe I could be. “Angel, it is not the air under my wings that you have given me. It is your wings that are carrying me,” tears dripped, “to the sky.”

Over a decade ago…

Passing by a small pantry in the kitchen, a little hand suddenly grabbed mine and yanked. I was security but didn’t fight the silent demand. I would know that touch anywhere.

Behind me, I quickly closed the door and whispered, “What are you doing?”

Noemi had dried tears on her face. Her eyes were manic. “Angelo won’t talk to me—”

I covered her mouth with my palm. “You were right. We should’ve told him.” My other arm was around her body while I peeked over my shoulder through the door levers to be sure no one was in the kitchen.

Noemi gripped the front of my suit, trying to speak from under my hand. “…won’t talk to me.”

The empty kitchen gave me the courage to lean my chin on top of her head and hold her close. “Shh.” Breathless, she melted to my chest. A kiss was placed in my palm. Those lips that I had missed so much caused havoc in my heart. Possibly trying to comfort myself also, I rocked her. “Shh.”

Her body slowly eased from the stress that had been weighing on her beautiful, caring soul.

Her calming had me releasing her mouth. “Noemi, you’re going to get me killed.”

“Mateo won’t come into the kitchen. He says it is beneath us.”

This pissed me off. My mother practically lived in that kitchen to feed his fucking family.

In a whispered cry, she swore, “I will never forgive my father.”

Life was so cruel. It took Noemi from love. “Noemi, we can’t meet like this. You’re married now.”

“To a troll.” She stared up at me. “I want you.” Tears fell. “Angelo won’t talk to me. What will happen to him?”

I closed my eyes to shut out her beckoning mouth. “He’s trying to protect you. They will kill you, too.” She was beyond giving a shit about her life, but I needed her to stay alive so I could.

“Sal, you saved Angelo from me and all I did to him. Don’t let him ice over and become a Suit Zombie. You hear me?”

My eyes dared to open. “I promise.”

A cry burst from her. “I’m losing you, aren’t I?”

“You have to.” I swallowed my boiling and agonizing emotions. “I have to let you go.”

“No.” Trembling hands grabbed at my pant buckle. “I can’t live without you—”

“Noemi—”

“Please,” she begged, on the verge of hysterics. “Ground me.”

Sex was a major part of the communication between the three of us. It came so easily to us and linked us on every level… except this one.

With all the speed and strength I could muster, I pushed her hands away and gripped the nape of her neck. Bending her backward, my other arm slammed the front of her body to mine. It was stifling with need in that pantry. I wanted to make love to the girl I was madly in love with. And she needed the young man in me who always gave her balance.

Exhaling labored breaths, but completely willing to be in my strong hold, she stared up at me and dared, “Do it. Kiss me.”

My body burned to melt to hers, clothes or not. I knew her touch would have me meeting her soul—a place I wanted to hide and take refuge. “I’m going to kiss you this once, but only if you make me a promise.”

She lifted her chin. “No.”

My grip jostled her. “Promise to make Mateo fall in love with you.”

So upset, she asked, “How? He is a stuck-up, empty case of worthless skin.”