Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
When we step off the jet, there are ten heavily-armed SUVs waiting for us. I lead Frankie over to the center one.
“This is a lot,” she says, looking around at the cars and my father’s soldiers surrounding them.
“It’s to protect you,” I tell her.
“It’s to protect you,” she says.
“Sure, let’s go with that.” I hold the door open.
I don’t ever take this much security with me anywhere, but I wasn’t about to bring Frankie here without security.
There are lot more assholes trying to one-up my family in this country than in the States.
I don’t trust anyone, especially when it comes to her safety.
“Are you sure they’re going to be okay with me being here?” Frankie whispers when I get into the back of the car with her.
I give the driver a slight nod to indicate he can start driving. “Who?”
“Your parents.”
“They love you, Frankie, probably more than they love me. So I’m certain they’ll be fine,” I tell her.
“Your parents don’t love anyone more than their kids.” She laughs. “Well, maybe each other.”
“Maybe,” I agree. My father isn’t shy about showing his love/obsession for my mother. I always wanted to grow up and find someone I could love at that level. I found her long before I was grown. I just need her to get onboard with the idea.
“Okay, are you working the entire weekend? Or will we get to hang out?” Frankie’s question surprises me.
“You want to hang out with me?”
“You invited me to Mexico, Emilio. Did you not want to hang out with me?” she asks.
“I just figured you’d hide out with my mom or Eliana and avoid me at all costs.” I shrug. “We can… hang out.”
“What exactly do you think hanging out means, Emilio?” Frankie lifts a curious brow.
“You, me, naked in a bed,” I tell her.
“I was thinking more like sightseeing, eating delicious food. That kind of hanging out,” she clarifies.
“We can do that too.” I smirk.
“Not too. We can just do that. I’m not getting in a bed naked with you.”
“It doesn’t have to be a bed.”
“We’re not doing anything naked, anywhere, Emilio. We’re friends. Cousins. That’s it.”
“Cousins don’t come to my door and kiss me the way you did this afternoon, Frankie. Cousins don’t look at me with longing in their eyes. And cousins sure as fuck don’t make…” I lean into her space, my mouth right next to her ear. “…my dick hard.”
“This might be difficult for you to understand, being the spoiled brat that you are and all. But just because you want something doesn’t mean you should have it.” She leans backwards, trying to put space between us.
I straighten against my seat and close my eyes.
“You know what? You’re right. I am a spoiled brat, and when I want something, I don’t stop until I get it.
I’ve waited, Frankie. I’ve given you the space you wanted.
I even thought maybe it would fade away, this thing between us.
But it hasn’t. I’m done waiting. Whatever it is that’s stopping you from jumping into this with me, we need to eliminate it. ”
“You can’t eliminate our families, Emilio.”
“What if we just don’t tell them?” I suggest.
“What do you mean?”
“What if we give it a shot, just you and me, and we don’t tell anyone until we’re ready? Who knows? We could decide in a week that we can’t stand each other. So let’s just not tell anyone.”
“Okay.”
My eyes widen. Did she really just agree to my plan? To having a secret relationship with me? “Okay?” I parrot.
“Okay, we can try, in secret. I’ll let you wine and dine me, Emilio. Give it your best shot to make me fall madly, head-over-heels in love with you.” She smiles.
“I’m going to wine and dine the fuck out of you. You’re not going to know what hit ya,” I tell her.
“Can’t wait.” Frankie shakes her head. “Are you actually going to be able to keep this a secret? What if someone asks you? You’re not a good liar, Emilio.”
“I’m a great liar. I choose not to be one. There’s a difference. If someone asks, I’ll skirt around the question like I have been doing for years.”
“People ask you about us? Who?”
“My mom, your mom. They’re both dead set on sharing grandbabies or some shit like that.” I shrug. “My dad asks too.”
“My mom knows that I’ve had a crush on you,” she says. “She also knows I’m not planning on acting on that crush.”
“Just a crush, huh?”
“Just a crush. I might be able to fuck you right out of my system, Emilio. For all I know, you’re not even that good in the bedroom.”
I try my best not to laugh at her. “You are more than welcome to use me to try to fuck me out of your system, babe.”
“Mhmm, we’ll see how the wine and dine part goes first. I have a three-date rule.”
“What?”
“A three-date rule. I don’t sleep with a guy unless I’ve been on at least three dates with him.”
Every lesson in keeping my composure under duress is being put into practice right now. She has a what? I know, logically, Frankie has dates with other people. Logic doesn’t have anything to do with my insane jealousy at the thought of her fucking other men, though.
I can’t even open my mouth to say anything, because I’m certain whatever will come out will only piss her off. Which I’m trying really hard not to do.
“Are you okay?” Frankie asks after a while.
“Mhmm, I just need a moment.” I continue staring out the window.
“What did I say?”
“Nothing,” I grunt.
“Sure.”
When the car stops, I tell the driver to get out and not to open the doors.
Waiting for us to be alone, I turn to Frankie, unclip her belt, and pull her across the leather seat until she’s right next to me.
My hand wraps around the back of her head and then I slam my lips down onto hers.
My tongue presses into her mouth, which she readily opens for me.
It’s not a soft kiss, like the one we shared earlier. This one is full of hunger and need. When I pull away from her mouth, I keep her face close to mine. “I’m going to fuck every other guy out of your memory, Frankie. You won’t remember a single person who came before me.”
“That seems like a really big task, Emilio. You sure you have that much energy?” Frankie raises a single brow at me.
“How many?”
“How many what?”
“How many guys have there been?” I press her.
“How many girls have you fucked, Emilio?”
“Five,” I tell her, and she snorts.
“Yeah, okay. You really expect me to believe you’ve only slept with five different women.” Frankie shakes her head. “Fine, I’m the Virgin Mother.”
“First, don’t say shit like that while you’re here. People take church seriously around these parts. Second, I don’t lie.”
“Seriously? Five?”
I nod my head. “How many, Frankie?”
“Why? I mean, look at you. You know you’re hot, right? Like you have mirrors. Why only five?”
“Because I felt like a fucking asshole every time. Stop avoiding my question, Frankie. How many?”
“Three,” she says.
“I want a list of names.”
Frankie laughs. “Sure, don’t hold your breath, though.” Then she opens the door and climbs out of the car.
I follow her, taking her hand in mine as I lead her into the house. As soon as we’re through the door, Frankie pulls her hand away from mine. I frown at her, but she just smiles and winks back at me.
“Oh, you’re finally here. How was the flight? Welcome, honey. I’ve set you up in the guestroom next to Emilio.” My mom smiles at me as she hugs Frankie.
“Thanks, Aunt Evie. It’s been so long since I’ve been here,” Frankie says.
“Too long. Come on, let me show you where you’re staying. Wait. Are you hungry?” Mom takes Frankie, leaving me in the foyer to watch them go.
“How the hell did you get that to happen?” Ezekiel asks, coming to stand next to me.
“Get what to happen?”
“Frankie, you, here?” he says.
“I used words and asked her if she wanted to come for the weekend. Don’t read anything into it.”
“So you haven’t won her over yet, then?” my brother asks.
“I’m working on it,” I tell him.
“I’ve never seen you work so hard for anything in your life.” He laughs.