Detained

15.

❝Upside Down❞
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Two days later, May 2016
San Antonio, Texas

"Staring at me won't make the food cook faster."

In rapid speed, Moira's eyes shot down to her hands, her cheeks inflamed in embarrassment as Santiano smirked. She shifted uncomfortably on her stool, feeling Santiano's gaze even without looking up. She twiddled her thumbs, trying to ignore the warmth creeping up her arms and her chest.

The kitchen simmered with the gentle hum of the stove and the fragrant aroma of spices as Santiano moved gracefully between pots and pans. The air was thick with the scent of spices and cooking meat—it was a stark contrast to the kitchen's neglected state over the past two weeks. Since she moved in, Moira only made use of the refrigerator and microwave, avoiding any attempt at cooking; a skill she hadn't practiced since high school.

Moira risked a glance up at Santiano, finding his back to her as he stirred a wooden spoon in a pot. Watching him from her perch at the detached island, her heart quickened at the sight of his focused expression and the fluidity of his movements. He seemed entirely in his element.

It was strange—this new dynamic between them. Everything seemed calm and relaxed compared to their usual tense atmosphere. Since her return from the precinct, the Amores brothers seemed almost like friends now, rather than distant figures she hardly knew.

Furrowing her brow, Moira pondered. She couldn't recall ever having a friend, and she hesitated to label the Amores brothers as such given their circumstances. Yet, lately, they had become much easier to be around.

Still, old habits die hard. Moira felt a twinge of uncertainty, unsure whether to trust this newfound peace. Santiano had always been enigmatic, his moods shifting and unpredictable. Yet now, there was a steadiness about him that was different from his usual aloofness—a quiet assurance that both relaxed and unsettled her. Marcos had been different lately too—more present and charismatic and less guarded. She noticed his keenness of being close to her and his attempts to try and talk to her more.

Moira wanted to let herself relax, soaking in the unfamiliar yet welcomed atmosphere of tranquility, but she couldn't allow herself to. They hadn't been invited as guests; she was their captive, and they had forcefully made her home their refuge.

Santiano cast a glance over his shoulder at Moira, who remained lost in her thoughts. A smirk played on his lips as he scooped up a spoonful of glistening black beans from the pot, their savory aroma permeating the kitchen. He turned towards Moira and extended the spoon towards her.

"Open your mouth," he murmured, his voice low and carrying a warm rumble that caused Moira to squeak in surprise. Moira didn't know what to make of Santiano's intimate request. She was already struggling with the emotions he managed to stir within herself, and doing things like this made her feelings even more puzzling.

Momentarily caught off guard by his intense gaze and the sudden closeness, Moira hesitated. Santiano seemed to notice her reaction but ignored it as he moved closer, the spoon hovering near her lips. "Open, Dulzura," he whispered in another language, making Moira's eyes dart to his and goosebumps rise on her skin. Blinking in astonishment, she immediately complied, leaning forward slightly and parting her lips to be fed.

Santiano's eyes held hers, their deep golden depths drawing her in as she wrapped her lips around the utensil and took in its flavors. The beans were rich and perfectly seasoned, melting on her tongue in a symphony of tastes.

A small, involuntary moan escaped Moira's lips as she savored the bite, her eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment. When she opened them again, Santiano was watching her with a heated intensity that sent a thrill through her.