Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
S weat glistened on Ignacio’s skin as he fought against the weight pressing down on him. His trainer’s voice cut through the thrumming of his pulse.
“Come on, you got this. Three more,” Marvin commanded.
The metal bar trembled above Ignacio as his muscles strained under the bench press.
“Two more.”
Ignacio pushed through the burning sensation in his arms.
“One more.”
With a final surge of strength, he forced the bar upward, teeth clenched with the effort.
“That’s it, baby!” Pride rang clear in Marvin’s voice as he lifted the bar onto the stand. “Good job!”
Ignacio sat up, drawing deep breaths into his burning lungs, his hair damp with sweat.
“Next time, we’ll add more weight. This is getting too easy for you.”
“Too easy?” Ignacio echoed incredulously, earning a laugh from his trainer.
“Trust me. At this rate, you’ll hit your goal weight in no time.”
Ignacio was taking full advantage of the six months before he had to report to the set of his next movie. He needed to bulk up for the upcoming action-thriller, his chance to portray a world-weary ex-soldier convinced by an old friend to protect his sister during a treacherous research trip to the Amazon. With franchise potential spanning three films over the next five to six years, the role promised not only an impressive payday but also merchandising opportunities, allowing him to pursue passion projects in the future where he didn’t earn as much.
“How are you feeling about the routine?” Marvin asked.
“It’s tough, but I like it.” Ignacio rolled his shoulders.
“You’ve increased your protein intake?”
“Yes, and my calories.”
“Good. That’ll help you bulk up.”
Ignacio’s team included a doctor and a nutritionist who worked closely with Maria to ensure he consumed the necessary macros every day to prepare him for the role. Marvin wanted his weight and muscle gain to be gradual.
“I’ll see you in a couple of days.”
“Thanks,” Ignacio said, coming to his feet.
They slapped hands, and then Marvin hauled his duffle bag over his shoulder and left.
Delta was working out too, but with a female trainer. While Delta was in a plank position on a padded mat, Mona stood over her with a timer in hand.
“Keep holding,” her trainer said, her voice soothing and encouraging.
Ignacio’s appreciative gaze traveled the length of Delta’s shapely body in black leggings and a black and gray sports bra that showcased her toned abs.
He picked up a towel and wiped the sweat from his face and chest, then left the women alone, climbing the stairs to the first floor. In the kitchen, he heard the blender running. Maria was preparing their post-workout smoothies.
“Good workout?” she asked in Spanish.
“Yes. I’m going to feel it tomorrow, that’s for sure.”
He took a glass bottle filled with homemade electrolyte water from the fridge and took a sip.
“Crystal called while you were working out. She wanted to know if you needed anything before she comes over.”
“I can’t think of anything.”
Ignacio removed a black elastic hair tie from his wrist and pulled his hair into a bun. Then he settled onto one of the stools in front of the large island.
His assistant was coming over later so they could review a couple of scripts his agent had sent. One of them was from a Mexican company. He’d done several films in his native Mexico and had a short-running series as well, but most of his success had been in the States, so he hadn’t made a Spanish film in a long time and was especially interested in that one.
Maria placed the green smoothie in front of him. “I’m going out in a few minutes. Delta’s smoothie is in the fridge.”
“Thanks, Maria.”
While he drank his smoothie, he checked his texts. He had received another message from Thiago.
When am I going to get my money?
Thiago had first texted him after Thanksgiving dinner: You owe me 10k .
Ignacio had told him to go to hell, but his brother was persistent, which was no surprise. Thiago didn’t play about money. Ignacio would pay him eventually, but for now, he enjoyed making him suffer.
He typed a short response: Never .
Laughing softly to himself, he imagined his brother’s pissed off face when he read the text. He then perused the stories about him and Delta. He used to not care what the magazines and blogs said about him, letting Crystal and his publicist keep track of the latest gossip and news. Nowadays, he was curious because their commentary typically included Delta. As far as he could tell, the stories remained mostly positive. He paused to read an article titled Run It Back: 10 Couples Who Found Their Way Back Together .
He and Delta were listed as number six, and the image they had chosen was one they’d posted on their Instagram accounts, both casually dressed in jeans and strolling arm in arm in downtown Atlanta. That night, they had dinner and then went for a walk with their bodyguards following closely behind.
Delta was laughing at something he had said, and he watched her with what could only be described as love in his eyes. Because he was in love with her, though he hadn’t come right out and said the words. He doubted he ever stopped loving her, even when he was angry and hurt after she didn’t meet him to run away and get married.
If he had to guess, he would say she loved him too, but how could he really know since she hadn’t said the words either?
Nonetheless, they lived their lives like any other couple since the night they had made love. Their relationship was no longer fake. Their relationship was very much real. They ate breakfast and dinner together, made love most nights, confided in each other, spent time working out, going to dinner, watching movies in their sweatpants in the theater room, and supporting each other at various promotional events around the country.
Ignacio opened Instagram to see what her social media manager had recently posted. The last photo was of the two of them in Miami for an awards event honoring emerging Latin musicians and actors, where he had been a presenter.
Delta had joined him and posted a photo of the two of them backstage at the table, with her leaning against him and his arm around her shoulders. He wore an all-black ensemble, while she wore a Grecian-inspired dress, her hair piled on top of her head and enhanced with gold twine threaded throughout the dark tresses. Kohl-rimmed eyes gave her an air of mystery, making her gaze more mesmerizing beneath the dim lighting. She looked stunning. Regal. Later, they changed clothes and went dancing at a popular nightclub, and Delta was the perfect partner for one of his favorite activities. They slept late the next day and flew back to Atlanta after brunch.
He laughed softly to himself at the comments under the photo.
You have my man.
Happy for you I guess.
Y’all cute or whatever.
Come outside Delta. I just wanna talk.
Tell him I said hey… and to call me when y’all break up.
Just out here living my fantasy with my man. Rude.
“Hey.” Delta waltzed into the kitchen.
He lifted his gaze from the phone. “Hey. Your smoothie’s in the fridge.”
“Thanks.”
His eyes followed her to the refrigerator. The black leggings molded over her ass and hugged her toned thighs. His body stirred with the beginnings of arousal.
Delta blew out a tired breath. “I hate Mona so much,” she said, sticking a straw in the container.
“She’s good for you.”
“She pushes me too hard.”
“But it’s good for you.”
“Yes, the hard work is paying off and increasing my endurance. Blah, blah, blah.” She rolled her eyes.
Ignacio grabbed her by one of her ass cheeks and pulled her closer. “I like what I see,” he said, gently tapping her ass.
She stepped between his legs. Resting her drink on the island, she looped her arms around his neck. “I like what I see too.”
Ignacio smoothed his hands down her back and over the curve of her bottom, filling his palms and squeezing with contentment. “Don’t tease me,” he murmured.
“I’m not,” Delta whispered.
They kissed softly while he continued to cup the fullness of her bottom in the palms of his hands.
The sound of Maria clearing her throat forced them to come up for air.
Delta ducked her head and giggled. “Maria, he won’t leave me alone.”
Maria settled her purse on her shoulder. “I see two people who will not leave each other alone.”
Delta gasped with mock outrage. “Maria! You’re supposed to be on my side. He’s the instigator. I’m completely innocent.”
Ignacio’s heart swelled in his chest. Sheer joy lit up her face, and he was pleased to be the reason for her happiness.
“ Ah, sí ?” Maria wagged her finger at them. “I take no sides. I see two guilty people. You two, siempre besándose . You leave him alone. You leave her alone. Okay? Now, I go to the store. Behave while I am gone. When I come back, I don’t want any more trouble.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they chorused gravely.
With a knowing smile, the housekeeper left through the side door.
“Stop trying to turn my housekeeper against me. We go way back.”
“I thought it was worth a shot.” Delta kissed the corner of his mouth, then his jawline.
“This is sexual harassment,” he said huskily. His breath caught when she found the sensitive spot behind his ear.
“It’s only fair since you harass me all the time.” Delta licked his neck. “Salty.”
Ignacio buried his face against her soft breasts and pulled her tighter between his legs so she could feel his growing erection.
Delta cupped the back of his head. “Hey.”
“Mm?” The sound was muffled against her chest.
Her fingers found the elastic tie and released his hair. “What are you working on later? Maybe we can take it easy tonight and finish those last episodes of Reacher ?”
Having never seen the show, they started with season one and were now both addicted, threatening each other not to watch any episodes without the other.
“Which episode are we on?” Ignacio asked.
“Six, I think.”
“We could finish watching the series tonight, but it’ll have to be after Crystal leaves. She’s coming by so we can review the scripts my agent sent.”
“No problem. We can watch the last episodes afterward. Speaking of scripts, what’s the latest on Wrong ?”
Ignacio moaned softly and temporarily closed his eyes as she used her fingertips to massage his scalp. “King’s screenwriter is reviewing the script. He’s going to give me his feedback next week.”
“Do you think he’ll have to rewrite the whole thing?”
“I hope not. I like what we have.”
Looking into his eyes, she continued to massage his scalp while he kept his arms wrapped around her waist.
“Can I read it?”
Ignacio frowned. “You want to read my script?”
“Sure. You’ve seen my music and my poems, but I haven’t seen your script.”
His hands fell away. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Because…” His hesitation hung between them like fog.
Delta tilted her head to the side. “Why don’t you want me to read it?”
Ignacio hadn’t considered why until that very moment. He wasn’t the type to doubt his own abilities. In fact, he was often teased about his big ego, yet he couldn’t shake the unease about Delta reading what he had written.
“I’m worried you won’t like the story,” he admitted.
“Ignacio,” she said in a chiding voice.
“You’re talented. You’re good with words.”
“And so are you,” she replied.
“No. I’m good at acting. I recite the words other people write and bring them to life.”
She placed a hand on her hip. “Aren’t you the one who told me that if you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone else?”
“I believe in myself,” he said.
“But you think I’ll judge your work negatively.”
When he didn’t reply, she tapped his nose with the tip of her finger. “Silly man. I’m one hundred percent certain I’ll like what I read. Let me read it. Please?” She batted her eyelashes.
Laughing, Ignacio shook his head. “You know I can’t deny you anything when you look at me like that.”
“You can’t? Good to know.” A serious expression came over her face. “Would you share the script with me?”
“Yes, I will.”
This felt like a big deal. He was sharing a piece of himself with her that he hadn’t shared before.
A radiant smile bloomed across her face. “Thank you. I promise not to judge.”
Ignacio believed her. He trusted her—something he hadn’t thought he’d ever do again.
He cupped her cheek. “You’re an incredible woman, you know that?”
“And you’re an incredible man.” She licked his neck. “An incredibly salty man,” she whispered.
“You like licking me?” he whispered in her ear.
“Mhmm. You taste good.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
“My turn.” Ignacio hooked his thumb in the waistband of her leggings.
Delta danced away, laughing. “Where exactly are you planning to lick me?”
“My favorite spot,” he purred.
Her eyes widened. “You’re so nasty.”
“ Ven acá, mujer .” He reached for her.
“No!” Delta slapped his hands away and took off running.
“Come here, let me lick you!” Ignacio jumped up and raced after her.
Her squeals and laughter echoed through the house as she fled, and Ignacio bounded up the stairs after her in hot pursuit.