Chapter 21
QUENTIN
Landing in San Francisco, a surge of motivation pulses through my body like a shot of caffeine.
It started the second the plane took off.
While everyone else on the plane was dozing off or lost in their own thoughts, I was on my phone, ticking off a to-do list that would make lesser men weep.
I checked in with Danity”s agent, ensuring everything was set for her surprise reading session at Ry”s wedding—a gesture I knew would mean the world to Carmina. I also called to check on the orange tabby we rescued from the alley.
That damn cat”s been haunting my dreams since I first spotted her. After we left the hospital, I couldn”t shake off the guilt of leaving her behind. It was either check on her progress or go insane.
I chose the former since the latter is already a given in my life.
But the biggest item on my to-do list—impressing my wayward family—still loomed. Calls to my cousin Killian and my brothers, Derek and Alton, confirmed what I long suspected—I’ve been impressing them.
Planning Ry”s joint bachelor-bachelorette party is like coordinating a military operation, but somehow, I”ve managed to get everything sorted.
On the plane, their approval rang clear through the group chat, their ”Has Hell frozen over? Because Quentin is actually doing something productive” jokes lightening the weight on my shoulders.
With that grudging respect only family can give, I could almost hear their collective jaws drop when they realized I have yet to screw anything up—for once.
I want to tell them that only half of the ”not screwing up” part is because of me. The other half is all because of Carmina.
Three years ago—hell, three months ago—I would have never admitted it, but it”s hard to fight with facts. Carmina”s influence is like a constant thrum of energy, pushing me to be better, do better.
Not just for her, but for me too. It”s a feeling I haven”t wanted to examine too closely, afraid it might vanish if I do.
But here we are, touching down in San Francisco, and I”ve got more than just Ry”s wedding festivities up my sleeve. I”ve arranged something special for Carmina and me—something to show her how much I appreciate not just her work but her as a person.
And maybe to show her my desire doesn’t stop at being work partners or friends.
When we pull up to the Rosemont Hotel, the anticipation builds. I”ve booked a room for Freddie, another for the girls—Gabi and Val—and then, taking a deep breath, I booked a suite with adjoining rooms for me and Carmina.
I play it cool, handing over the keys as if I”m just dealing out cards in a game I”m guaranteed to win.
But inside? I”m all nerves and anticipation, curious and eager to see how she”ll react.
This move? It”s not just a gesture; it”s a gamble, laying my cards on the table for perhaps the first time in a long while. The look in her eyes when I slowly tell her we”re sharing a suite—priceless.
She”s surprised, that much is obvious, but I can also see the flicker of excitement and something else. Something that maybe mirrors my own feelings.
As the five of us ride the elevator up to our floor, I steal glances at her. She”s always gorgeous, that”s a given.
But there”s something about seeing her in this new environment, away from the office, red lipstick off, and dressed down in form-fitting jeans and a simple white tee, that takes my breath away.
I could get used to this.
When we reach our rooms, I stop our little crew in the hallway, turning to look at the ladies I”ve assembled on the trip. I take a deep breath.
”Alright, team, this is how it”s going to go.” I turn to Carmina. ”Sanchez, you and I have dinner tonight with Danity and her publicist. Freddie, everything ready for Danity”s reading at the bookstore?”
She nods. ”All set, boss.”
”Good.” I turn to Gabi and Val. ”Ladies, tonight you”re free to do whatever you want. Hit up the hotel bar, explore Skid Row, whatever.”
Gabi grins. ”Thanks for letting us loose, ‘boss’.”
I chuckle. ”Or...you guys can hit up the indoor pool. It”s open.”
Val”s eyes go big beneath her bifocals. ”We can”t swim.”
”Won”t need to. Pool”s only three-and-a-half feet deep. Pro tip: Just avoid the hot tub. That”s where people tend to go to...” I trail off, almost grinning at the warning Carmina”s eyes are shooting me. ”...relax.”
The girls and Freddie laugh, while Carmina smirks.
I keep going. ”The suites we booked have every streaming channel available. There”s even a horror movie-only one. I”ve had the hotel add child blocks to it, so no R-rated stuff tonight. Trust me: ”The Shining” is way scarier when you can”t see any blood or hear any cussing.”
Gabi giggles. ”I”ve seen previews of ”The Shining.” I don”t think that Jack Nicholson actor guy in a sweater is enough to scare me.”
”Speak for yourself,” Val mutters.
I wink at her. ”All good, guys?” They nod, and I turn. ”Freddie?”
”I”ll make sure they get the best drinks at the hotel bar, I promise.”
Carmina leans in. ”Freddie...”
”I”ll check in on them before bed, I swear.”
”And tomorrow,” I continue, ”we”ve got the morning and afternoon off. Maybe we”ll go crazy. Stop by the Golden Gate Bridge. Escape to Alcatraz, I don’t know.”
”Or go to the Exploratorium!” Val exclaims, bouncing on her heels. ”I looked it up on the internet!”
”See, the internet”s corrupting the youth.” I tsk, crossing my arms. ”That”s why I gave you and Gab the list of gruesome horror movies to watch tonight.” I clap my hands together. ”There”s a couple of hours until dinner time. Order anything you want from room service. It”s on me. Including Jack Nicholson”s sweater.”
As we disperse into our respective rooms, I smile at the excitement on the girls” faces. This trip is already off to a great start. I”m hoping to make it even better with some unexpected fun.
I follow Carmina as she walks the short distance to our shared suite. I hold my breath as she unlocks the door. Stepping inside, she looks around, her eyes taking in the luxurious furnishings and panoramic city views.
There”s a small kitchenette, a cozy living area with a large flat-screen TV, and two separate bedrooms with their own bathrooms. I specifically requested this suite for us, knowing it would be perfect to relax...and to give Carmina space if she needs it.
Her wavy dark hair falls over her shoulder as she turns to me, a soft smile on her lips. ”You didn”t have to do all this.”
I shrug. ”Just your average, everyday suite for the rich and famous.”
She rolls her eyes at my joke, continuing to explore the suite. I watch her with a warm feeling in my chest.
It feels good. Being able to openly stare at Carmina—not with the look of annoyance I”ve been half-pretending to have for the past few years, but that other look. The look I”ve been getting used to lately. The look that says she”s mine.
She sure as hell feels like it. In that tight denim stretching over the curve of her ass, that soft cotton v-neck t-shirt showing a bit of her cleavage, with the way she”s walking around this suite as if she owns the place—my chest fills up and I feel myself grinning like an idiot.
I”m brought out of my thoughts when she finally turns to me. ”You seem to have everything under control,” she comments.
”Well, someone”s got to keep this crew in line.”
”You”re good.” Her deep brown eyes catch mine. ”With the girls. With running things. With being in control.”
”Yeah, who knew?”
”I did, actually.” She shakes her head, snorting lightly. ”I knew that if you could just really focus on something—besides dating the cover models from the latest fashion magazines—you”d be great at it. And you are.”
I give her my most arrogant smile, taking a step closer. ”I see.” I wait a beat. ”Are you jealous of my dating history, Sanchez?”
She scoffs, but it sounds hollow. I take another step toward her, and she playfully pushes against my chest. ”Sure. Keep dreaming, Casanova.”
I wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. The musky warmth of her vanilla perfume mixes with the scent of fresh flowers in the hotel suite.
”Oh, I don”t need to dream,” I murmur, leaning in close enough to feel her breath on my lips. ”I”ve got the real thing right here.”
She rolls her eyes but lets me close the gap, our lips meeting in a soft kiss. Her body feels plush beneath my fingers, and I relish the sensation of her against me.
I”m getting harder, knowing it”s just the two of us. No company offices. No party terraces. Just me and her.
I kiss her deeper, my tongue tangling with hers as I back her against the wall. She moans into my mouth, making me even more excited. But before things can escalate, she pulls away.
Clearing her throat, she creates space between us. ”We should shower and get ready for dinner with Danity and her publicist. Plus, I”m filthy after the plane ride.”
I check my watch. ”We”ve got another hour, at least. Besides, I like you filthy.” I tilt my head toward hers. ”I like you any way I can get you, sweetheart.”
As I lean in to kiss her again, she steps out of my embrace. ”Save it for later, lover boy. We”ve got a dinner to attend and I don”t want to show up looking like a hot mess.”
I watch Carmina, noticing the stiffness in her spine, the shift in her eyes. I can almost hear the thoughts buzzing in her head.
I run a hand across my mouth. ”Shit. That comment about the jealousy stuff—too much, huh? Fuck, I’m an idiot.”
Carmina crosses her arms. ”Oh please, you wish I was that easy to read.”
I stare at her, my throat tightening. ”Darling, you don”t even know how easy you are to read for me. That ”lover boy” comment?” I frown. ”Car, I swear: If there”s anything I can do to make you feel secure, please tell me.”
She looks at me for a moment before her shoulders sag. ”There is.” She motions toward one of the bathrooms. ”You can start by getting ready for dinner. And I”ll do the same.”
Placing my hands in my pockets, I nod. ”Alright. I”ll see you in a bit then.”
As she turns to retrieve the luggage the bag handler brought in earlier, it takes everything in my power not to reach for her again. There”s a distance growing between us, and I don”t know how to stop it. But for now, I”ll play along with Carmina”s request and give us some space.
I enter the bathroom, still feeling slightly frustrated and confused. I know that if I push too hard, she”ll only pull further away. I take a deep breath as I head into the shower, trying to think of ways to make tonight go more smoothly than it’s going right now.