The Cost of Rubies by Rachel Le Mesurier

Author:Rachel Le Mesurier [Rachel Le Mesurier]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Opal Phoenix Books
Published: 2026-02-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Esperanza

Esperanza awoke early the following morning, the sun bathing her face in a rosy glow as it rose over the mountains. She had not intended on staying out until morning, but the idea of detangling herself from Artie and leaving him to sleep alone beneath the tree after their night together had been unthinkable.

She opened her eyes, enjoying the thudding of his heartbeat beneath her cheek as his chest rose and fell with each soft breath. Artie was still fast asleep, his eyes closed serenely and a gentle smile on his face. She wanted to stay here with him forever, but it would not be long before the rest of her family woke and noticed that she was missing. She dreaded to think what they would say if they realised that her bed had not been slept in.

“Artie?” she whispered, nudging his chest. “Artie, wake up. It’s sunrise. I have to go.”

Artie grumbled and stretched in his sleep, and Esperanza nudged him again. After a few seconds, his eyelids flickered open, and he regarded her with mild confusion. Then, finally, consciousness and memory kicked in and his face broke into a huge smile. He reached up and put his arms around her, pulling her back down on top of him.

“Artie,” she protested, trying not to give in to that warm citrusy smell of his skin. “I’m sorry, mi cielo. I wish I could stay here with you forever, but my father will most likely be up already, and if any of my family find out I didn’t come home last night…”

“They won’t,” he promised in her ear. “Tell them you went out early for a walk. Tell them anything, but please, don’t go yet. Let me have a little longer to enjoy this moment. I’ve always dreamed of what it would be like, waking up next to you.”

He buried his face in her hair, and she gave in, allowing herself to nuzzle against his chest with a sigh of surrender. Her parents could wait a few more minutes. For now, she was here with Artie, and he was all that mattered.

“Was it all you thought it would be?” she grinned, brushing her fingers across his chest.

“Better,” he assured her breathlessly. “So much better. I love you, Esperanza.”

His voice caught, and Esperanza raised her head to look at him. He was still wearing his huge smile, his misty eyes shining even more than usual.

“Artie, tell me you’re not crying again.”

“No!” he protested. “I’m just… a little emotional. We’ve come a long way in one night. And you’re so beautiful, mi vida.”

Esperanza couldn’t help but laugh. She propped herself up on her elbow and stroked his cheek with her fingers.

“Is it safe to say you’re glad I came to find you last night?” she smiled.

“Sí, I definitely owe Don Raúl a drink for scaring us both away from the house.” He grinned mischievously up at her. “There was me thinking that you were just concerned for my life. I had no idea that this was what was really on your mind.

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