Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
“ R omeo said you’re about to leave.” King approached Delta at the bar, his voice deep and low as he spoke.
“I’m afraid so. I’m waiting for Ignacio. He’s giving acting advice to a couple of your guests.” She nodded toward Ignacio and two men talking less than ten feet away.
King followed her line of sight and chuckled. “Could be worse. They could be fawning all over him and demanding his autograph, I guess.”
“I believe that’s already happened,” Delta said with some amusement.
King groaned.
She didn’t know much about the Brockwells, except that they were very powerful in the media and entertainment industry. King, the oldest, was tall and undeniably attractive with dark brown skin. Despite his friendliness, there was an arrogant air about him. She suspected he had seen and done more in life than most people had.
His discerning eyes missed nothing, and the slight curve of his lips suggested he was always a step ahead of any competitor and always in control.
“I really appreciate you making an exception to sing for my mother. She was completely surprised, which is what we wanted—and very, very happy.” His eyes found his parents across the room. “I can’t believe a year ago we thought we’d lose her, but she’s a fighter.”
His love for his mother was evident.
“It was an honor to be a part of her birthday celebration.”
Delta’s father hadn’t approved of her singing at the party, especially not for free, but she had overridden his decision. Elizabeth’s reaction and words of appreciation had made every minute spent arguing with her father worthwhile.
“I believe you have new fans now, don’t you?” King asked.
She laughed lightly. “I do, which is a nice bonus.”
After she finished her set, some of the guests had crowded around her, and she signed autographs. The experience reminded her of the early days when she worked small venues to build a fan base.
Performing in an arena or amphitheater was electrifying, as thousands of voices sang the lyrics to the songs right along with her. The pulse of the music vibrated across her skin, and the sheer magnitude of the crowd’s energy washed over her like a tidal wave. Few experiences offered such an exhilarating rush.
But there was something to be said for the smaller locations, similar to tonight’s intimate gathering. It felt more personal because she could look at every face and feel the heightened emotions in the room. With no distance between them, she had a front-row seat to see how her songs affected the audience. She might not return to doing private engagements, but she’d talk to her father about smaller venues.
“So, you and Ignacio are back together for good, is that correct?”
“Yes, we are.”
“Lucky bastard,” King murmured, his eyes drifting over her bare shoulders.
Unexpectedly, Ignacio slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her against his side. Where had he come from?
“King, I hope everything went well?” he asked.
“Better than expected, thanks. I look forward to doing business with you. As for you, Delta?—”
“Your business with her ends tonight, doesn’t it?” Ignacio asked pointedly, his gaze meeting King’s head-on.
Oh shit . Delta laughed to soften the delivery of Ignacio’s words. What was he thinking? Was he trying to sabotage the deal with his fake jealousy act?
She slipped an arm around his waist and gazed up at him with a sidelong glance. “That’s right. I’m done here, and now the two of you have a movie to make. Right, hon?”
“Yes, we do,” Ignacio said, keeping his eyes on King.
A smile touched King’s lips, as if he had received the message loud and clear. “We sure do. I’ll be in touch.” After a brief nod, he walked away.
Delta waited until he was out of earshot before speaking. “What the heck were you thinking, saying something like that to him?”
“You think I don’t know he was hitting on you? You’re here with me. Don’t forget what we’re doing.”
She kept a smile on her face in case anyone was watching them. “Of course I haven’t forgotten, but maybe you should smile. We wouldn’t want people to think we’re arguing. We want them to think we can’t keep our hands off each other. King was being friendly, that’s all. Maybe bring it down a notch before you jeopardize your deal.”
“Fuck him,” Ignacio said. He took a deep breath and let it out.
He was acting as if he were really jealous. Was he jealous of King Brockwell?
“Ignacio—”
He forced a smile, which didn’t quite look real. “If telling him to stay the hell away from my woman jeopardizes the deal, then so be it.”
My woman . He sounded as if he meant those words.
“Let’s get out of here,” he muttered.
On the way to the door, they picked up her stole from one of the chairs, and she threw the fabric around her shoulders. Taking her hand, Ignacio led the way toward the exit, but they didn’t have a clean getaway. Several of the guests stopped them as they wound their way through the room, and they paused to say goodbye to Elizabeth and Benjamin.
“Thank you for such a lovely birthday present,” the older woman said.
“You’re welcome,” Delta returned, giving her a warm hug.
Outside, Ignacio called for the limo, holding Delta’s hand the entire time. Finally, the car pulled up, but he didn’t wait for the chauffeur to climb out and open the door. He opened it himself and practically shoved her onto the seat, as if he wanted to get her as far away from King Brockwell as possible.
They rode in silence before Delta spoke. “Tonight was nice.”
Ignacio kept his gaze on the scenery outside and grunted, his feet tapping the floor of the vehicle.
“You’re not upset about King, are you?” Delta asked, though a small part of her hoped he was.
She experienced a thrill at the thought that maybe—just maybe—his behavior was a manifestation of jealousy. It would mean his feelings for her hadn’t completely died when she never showed up that day.
“What the hell kind of name is King?” he demanded. “A kid named King is bound to have a superiority complex.”
“I think it’s kind of a cool name,” Delta murmured.
He shot her an angry look, and she lowered her gaze, turning away so he couldn’t see her amusement.
He is jealous! Ohmigod , she thought. Her heart skipped and thrummed like a drumbeat, fast and unsteady, echoing through her chest.
When they pulled up to the house, Ignacio helped her out of the car.
“Thank you,” she said.
His fingers tightened around hers as he tugged her toward the front door. He released his grip on her hand to punch in the door code, and she stepped in ahead of him.
The second the door closed, she felt his hand on her wrist. He spun her around and pressed her back against the cool foyer wall, his body flush against hers, his breath warm and irregular.
Delta gasped in shock. Her clutch slipped from her fingers and hit the floor. “What are you doing?” she whispered, her voice trembling.
The air crackled with anticipation, making her heart hammer in her throat. Framing her face in his hands, Ignacio tilted her chin higher.
“Losing my fucking mind,” he grated.
He kissed her. Not gently. Not carefully. He claimed her with an urgency that left no room for doubt about his intentions.
Slanting his mouth over hers, he coaxed her lips apart, and she welcomed him, surrendering to the passionate heat coiling low in her abdomen. His hands slipped down her sides, gripping her hips to hold her in place while her fingers tangled in his thick curls and pulled him closer.
His tongue entered her mouth to stroke, tease, and deepen the intimate contact. The kiss became hotter and wetter as they devoured each other.
Then a quiet sound caught Delta’s attention. She almost didn’t hear it, but Ignacio must have heard it, too, because he tore his mouth from hers, and they both looked to the side in the same direction.
Maria was in her bathrobe holding a plate of food, frozen mid-stride like a cartoon character. She was obviously trying to tiptoe across the floor to the door leading to her apartment in the basement.
She looked at them. They looked at her.
“I am so sorry, Ignacio, Delta. Pretend you do not see me.” Her cheeks were scarlet, and her face filled with apology. Then she hurried through the door and shut it behind her.
Ignacio stepped back, a muscle in his jaw tightening.
Delta didn’t know what to say. She tried to catch her breath. She hadn’t been kissed with such passion in a long time. She put a hand to her throbbing mouth. “I guess?—”
“This isn’t going to work,” he said in a guttural tone. He shoved unsteady fingers through his hair and swore softly.
Delta died a little inside. “What isn’t?”
“Living together and acting as if we don’t feel anything. Lying in the same bed together. All I can think about is getting you naked and fucking you until we’re both sweaty and exhausted. I know that wasn’t part of the deal, but it’s incredibly hard to keep my hands off you.” The words came out in a mixture of disgust and anger.
“Sex will complicate this whole charade.” She wasn’t sure she meant the words, but they sounded right.
“It’s already complicated.”
The way he looked at her—as if he wanted to sweep her into his arms and carry her up the stairs—sent shivers racing down her spine.
Delta broke eye contact and moved to pick up her clutch and the few items that had fallen out of it. As she picked up her lipstick and phone, Ignacio reached down and closed his fingers around the smooth bluish-gray stone on the floor.
She straightened, holding her breath, cursing herself for not grabbing it before he saw. Ignacio stared at the stone in his palm, an unreadable expression on his face.
“You still have this?” His voice was low and disbelieving.
“It’s stupid, I know.” Fully embarrassed, Delta thrust out her hand to take it.
He didn’t hand it over. “Why do you still have this?”
She swallowed, emotion burning a hole in her throat. “You gave it to me.”
“It’s just a stone.”
“It’s more than a stone. It’s my good luck charm.”
He had given her the stone when they were both fifteen, telling her it came from a river in Colombia near his mother’s home. He said it stood out from the other jagged rocks and gravel around it, and because of that, he thought of her—strong and beautiful, standing out from the crowd. No matter how rough the waters of the music industry became, he believed she would always endure.
“I rub it before live performances,” she admitted in a low voice. “And I carry it everywhere. In a way, I feel like it keeps me safe. The one time I didn’t have it…” She couldn’t finish.
“What happened?”
“Something bad.” Unable to look at him, she extended her hand again.
“What happened, Delta?”
“Give it to me, Ignacio. Please.” She lifted her gaze, her eyes turning watery.
“If someone hurt you?—”
She snatched the rock and walked away. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want to hear the answer to,” she said, and raced up the stairs.