Chapter 4
Chapter Four
D elta’s eyes widened. “ Excuse me? Um, no.”
Ignacio bristled at her response and became more determined to make it happen. “And why not?”
“We can behave convincingly by meeting up every now and again. The Black and Gold event, going to restaurants, the usual sightings. Moving in together is too disruptive.”
“I disagree. Living together makes perfect sense and will show everyone that we’re serious this time, making our reconciliation more believable.”
“I don’t agree.” Delta pressed a hand to her temple as if she had a headache. “I have a house in Atlanta.”
“And your family lives with you. When I’m in Atlanta, I often stay at my mother’s. Renting a place and moving in together gives us the opportunity to present to the world that we’re each other’s family now.”
“Why is that necessary? I’m not convinced.”
“Then how about this? Moving in together will help me.”
“And I should care because…?”
He clenched his jaw but bit back the angry words that almost spilled from his lips. “Right now, the media portrays me as a wild partying playboy.”
“Gee, I wonder why.” She smiled sweetly.
She really knew how to push his buttons.
Ignacio continued. “If they see we’re living together, they’ll write different types of stories about me, which could send a positive message to potential investors.”
“I hear you, but there’s a problem you haven’t considered.”
“Which is?”
As far as Ignacio was concerned, he’d considered every angle. For years, he leaned into the media’s characterization, hosting wild parties and rotating women in and out of his life with ease. It wasn’t all bad. It kept women from thinking they had a shot at tying him down and making him monogamous, of becoming the first Mrs. Ignacio Santana.
But now he wondered if his behavior had lowered expectations regarding his business acumen. Did backers wonder if he could be trusted? Pretending to be monogamous with Delta could help his image, thereby increasing his chance of finding an investor.
“You’ve forgotten about household staff,” Delta answered. “They’re going to notice we’re not sleeping in the same bed.”
“We’ll have them sign NDAs, as usual.”
“There’s still a chance of a leak. Do you really want to take that risk?”
Ignacio scraped his fingers through his hair in frustration and paced away from her. She was right. They couldn’t risk chatter from staff. He had a loyal housekeeper who would be temporarily moving from LA to live with him in Atlanta, but there were other people, like the cleaners, who would be local hires. Could they be trusted to keep their mouths shut, or would they break when someone came along and offered a nice sum of money in exchange for knowledge?
He swung to face Delta, who was standing in the middle of the room with her arms crossed over her midsection. “Then we sleep in the same bed.”
If he thought her eyes had gone wide before, they practically bulged out of their sockets at that suggestion. Then she burst into laughter.
“I’m glad you think this is funny.”
“You’re serious?” she asked in an incredulous voice.
“Yes, and the more I think about it, the better I like the idea.”
“That’s a terrible idea.”
“I disagree.”
“Think about what you’re saying.”
“It’s for appearance’s sake, Delta. As you pointed out, we can’t risk having someone on staff disclose we’re sleeping separately. That doesn’t exactly confirm we’re a loving couple back together again. And what’s the problem with sleeping in the same bed? Neither of us has to answer to anyone, so there’s no one to be concerned that we’ll…”
“We’ll what?”
“Have sex.”
Her lips parted in silent shock.
“Unless…?” he drawled.
“Never,” she said firmly.
“Never say never. We used to rock the bed, remember?”
“Did we? I barely remember. It was eleven years ago, and I was much younger.”
“Does that mean you’ve gotten better or worse at sex?”
“None of your damn business,” she snapped.
“Want to know about me?” Ignacio asked, dropping his voice to a silken timbre.
“No.”
A smirk touched his lips. “I’ve gotten better.”
Her breath unmistakably hitched, and catching her reaction was intensely rewarding and… arousing.
She quickly assessed Ignacio from his chest to his feet before bringing her gaze higher again. “Is this what I have to look forward to? Your harassment?”
“I’m letting you know the options available.”
“I don’t need to know the options, thanks. I’ll be practicing abstinence for the next six months.”
“You don’t have to.” He needed to stop pushing so hard, but he couldn’t help himself.
She took a frustrated breath and let it out. “We’ll sleep in the same room but not the same bed. I’ll sleep on the floor or in a chair or something.”
“For six months?”
“What other choice is there?” she demanded.
“We can share the bed. I promise I won’t maul you.”
She shot a skeptical look in his direction.
“We need to make a decision, Delta.”
“Fine. We’ll sleep in the same bed with pillows between us.”
She looked so uncomfortable, he couldn’t help laughing, which pissed her off more and caused her to send a glare in his direction.
“Now we need to run the idea by your father and see what he thinks.”
“Let’s not tell him we’re sharing a bed, okay?”
“Are you sure? I’d be interested to hear what he has to say about the arrangement.”
“I would not.”
Smirking, Ignacio signaled through the glass at her father. Edward re-entered the living room and looked from one to the other. “Any new developments I should know about?”
Ignacio sat on the loveseat. “We discussed attending the Black and Gold Music Experience to make our relationship official. We’re also going house-hunting. I’ll make sure my people tip off the media so we can get some candid shots published. What do you think about the two of us moving in together?”
Edward slowly nodded. “I think it’s an excellent idea.”
The look Delta sent in her father’s direction was… interesting, and not in a good way. He had to admit, he was a little surprised how easily Edward had gone along with the idea, and Delta must have been too. He saw disappointment in her expression, and something inside him twisted, making him feel protective of her. Not that she wanted his protection.
“So you don’t have any reservations about us living together for six whole months?” Ignacio asked.
“None whatsoever,” Edward replied. “If the two of you move in together, it lends credence to the idea that you’re a couple again. I say go for it.”
“I’ll let the two of you finalize any additional details. I’ll be in the car.” Delta stalked out and closed the door none too gently.
Edward watched her leave and then shook his head. “I don’t know what gets into her sometimes. This is an opportunity to revive her career with just a little bit of sacrifice.”
“Thank goodness she has you in her corner.”
“Exactly.”
He had no idea Ignacio was being sarcastic.
“We’ll be in touch.” Edward stopped on his way out. “One more thing. I want to make sure you don’t have any long-term plans for my daughter. She’s focused on selling records and doesn’t need any distractions.”
Fury billowed inside Ignacio as he recalled that day eleven years ago when Edward showed up at the airport to let him know Delta would not be meeting him. That their relationship was truly over and done with, and she was going to focus on her singing career.
“Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten her career is the priority.”
“Good. That way we can all get what we want. You included.”
Edward left then, leaving Ignacio to ruminate on the past. He would do well to remember his previous interactions with the James family, and how at twenty-one, he had been left desolate and broken after Delta decided at the last minute that she would not elope with him.
He snatched a tumbler from a side table and hurled it across the room. It hit the wall and shattered into little pieces.