Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
A s Delta stirred beneath the thick duvet, sunlight streamed through the window and cast a golden glow over the room. She was in bed alone on Christmas morning. Ignacio had probably gone on his morning run, which he rarely missed. His discipline was admirable.
She, however, intended to take full advantage of this day off. Between recording the additional songs for the album and attending promotional events, she had a packed schedule.
She stretched lazily and blinked sleep from her eyes, recalling her conversation with Ignacio when she returned from seeing her family a few days ago. He had been in the kitchen eating dinner.
Ignacio perked up when he saw her. “You’re back earlier than expected. How did the conversation with your father go?”
Seeking comfort, she walked over and slid between his thighs. One of his arms curled around her waist, anchoring her to him.
“It was difficult, but our conversation went better than I thought it would. No real drama to speak of.”
Ignacio’s eyebrows lifted in mild surprise. “Shocking.”
“I might have also threatened to let the world know what he allowed.”
“Ahh, I see how that could make him willing to accept your plans. How do you feel?”
Delta rested her hands on his shoulders. “It’ll take some getting used to. My father has been in control of my career since I was a kid.”
“But you’re okay?” His eyes searched hers.
“I will be.”
He studied her for a moment and then nodded, trusting her words. “What did Vivian say when you proposed moving in?”
She smiled. “She wants to move in with us.” Having her sister with her was important, and she was happy Vivian accepted the invitation. She and her sister could continue to look out for each other. Winding her arms around Ignacio’s neck, Delta held his gaze. “You know what I need right now?”
He smirked and teasingly pumped his hips twice against hers.
She giggled. “Not that.”
“Oh, my mistake.” His grin was filled with pure mischief. “What did you have in mind?”
“A nice warm bath.”
Slowly, he traced circles along her lower back. “Excellent idea. Take your time to relax and enjoy your bath. Later, when you’re ready, tell me everything that happened.”
After a relaxing bath filled with lavender crystals, Delta recounted her conversation with her father in detail, and then they cuddled in the living room and watched TV.
Yawning, she rolled out of bed and padded into the bathroom. She went through her morning routine and then brushed her hair into a sleek ponytail. She added earrings and dressed in dark jeans and a cashmere sweater.
She and Ignacio were going to exchange gifts and then pick up Vivian so she could join them at his family’s place. They had purchased gifts for his nieces and nephews and for the Dirty Santa game they were going to play after everyone ate lunch together.
Her parents had flown to Mexico for a two-week getaway. She assumed they wanted to escape after the confrontation at the house. She still felt a bit of guilt because she’d fired her father but knew the decision would be better for her in the long run.
Delta went downstairs to the kitchen. While making coffee using Ignacio’s espresso machine, she heard the distant sound of the front door opening and closing as he returned from his run. Since Maria had gone to spend Christmas with her family, they were on their own for meals, so she whipped up a batch of cinnamon-cranberry muffins. That way, they’d have something to eat before lunch at his mother’s estate.
She hummed as she worked and realized she was happy—in a way she hadn’t been in a long time. She wasn’t just happy, she was blissful.
She stopped stirring the muffins.
Blissful .
As an idea came to her, she began humming again.
By the time she was taking the muffins out of the oven, Ignacio entered the kitchen, impossibly handsome in a black long-sleeved shirt and black jeans. The scent of his shower lingered on his skin—a clean, pine scent that was undeniably masculine. The crisp bite of his woodsy cologne mingled with hints of fresh soap and made her want to slip her fingers under his clothes and press her nose to his chest to breathe him in.
“Good morning, Merry Christmas,” he said, drawing in a deep breath. “Smells good in here.”
“Merry Christmas! We have coffee and muffins for breakfast,” Delta announced, placing the hot pan on a silicone trivet.
Ignacio came closer and peered at the muffins. “You’ve been busy.”
“Mhmm. Try this.” Delta handed him a cup of coffee and waited.
He took a sip, and his eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Mmm. You finally learned to make coffee the way I like.”
“And it only took seven billion tries because you’re so particular.”
Ignacio chuckled. “One of these days, your mouth is going to get you into trouble. Mark my words.” He playfully smacked her bottom.
“Ouch.” Pretending he hurt her, Delta rubbed her butt. “I have something to tell you.”
“What?” Ignacio carefully removed a muffin from the hot pan.
“I decided on a name for the album.”
“I thought you already had a name.”
“I did, but I like this one better. I’m going to run it by A&R, but they should be fine with it.”
“What’s the new title?” He bit into the muffin. “Damn, this is good.”
“Thank you. The new title is Blissful .”
He seemed to consider the title. “I like it.”
“I think it perfectly sums up the sense of complete happiness and joy I feel. No matter what happens in the future, good or bad, I know this is the album I wanted to create— my artistic vision. I have inner peace because I know the pain from my past is finally truly behind me. And then there’s you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you. You’ve been supportive and loving, and being with you has changed me for the better. I am blissfully happy with you, Mr. Santana.”
“You’ve changed me too. I used to think I was happy, but those emotions don’t compare to how I feel right now, with you. I hated the idea of being in a fake relationship with you, but it turned out to be a good idea.”
“I agree. The best idea.” She smiled at him. “So, what time are we leaving to pick up Viv?”
“We can go right after we open our gifts, unless you have something else you need to do. Are all the gifts wrapped?”
Delta nodded. “I wrapped the Dirty Santa gifts last night. They’re under the tree with the others.”
“Then we don’t have anything else to do except open our gifts, load up your car, and head out.”
Since they were picking up Vivian, they were going to use Delta’s SUV.
“I’ll call Viv when we’re on our way so she can tell her attendant.”
When they picked up her sister today, she was going to stay with them through the holidays and move in all her belongings after the New Year, when Delta put her house on the market.
“I’m ready to open gifts. Let’s go.” Delta grabbed her coffee and a muffin and led the way into the living room, the only space decorated for Christmas. Next year she intended to do more, but with the holiday fast approaching, she hadn’t had much time to transform the house.
A lush fir stood in a corner of the living room, adorned with gold and silver ornaments, white ribbon, and twinkling lights, gifts nestled underneath. She had draped a garland of pine and holly across the fireplace mantel and attached three stockings with the initials V, I, and D. The rest of the decor included crystal reindeer and a silver tray with candles, cinnamon sticks, and dried oranges. Red and gold pillows had replaced the usual ones on the chairs, and a throw with Merry Christmas on it was draped over the arm of the sofa.
Ignacio and Delta settled on the floor, and she handed him his gift.
“Here you go.”
Ignacio shook the box. “What is this?”
“Open it!” She grinned, barely able to contain her excitement.
He tore off the paper and paused when he saw the Patek Philippe name on the box. He shot a glance at her and then finished opening his gift. Inside was a watch with an oversized face and black band.
“It’s vintage, from 1943. I have the paperwork to confirm its authenticity.”
“Sweetheart, I love it.”
Ignacio placed a hand at the back of her neck and pulled her in for a kiss. When their mouths touched, his lips were warm and sure against hers, and she melted into him, cupping his jaw. This was the exact reaction she had been hoping for. Ignacio had been so good to her, she had wanted to give him something special and knew he would appreciate the timepiece from one of his favorite brands.
“Of course I’m wearing this today.” He fastened the watch around his wrist. “All right. Your turn.” He handed her a large bag covered with reindeer images.
“What could this be…?” Delta sang, removing the tissue paper. She gasped when she saw the two boxes in unmistakable Hermès orange.
“Baby…” She opened the first box and gasped again. “You bought me the Birkin?” The gold matte crocodile Birkin cost over six figures.
“Of course,” Ignacio said, looking very pleased with himself.
Delta hugged the bag and kissed it. “I love it.” She opened the next box, which contained calfskin Hermès sandals. “I love these too! I can’t wait until the weather warms up so I can wear them. Thank you, baby!”
She flung herself at Ignacio and gave him an appreciative kiss.
Ignacio frowned. “Were those the only two gifts in the bag?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Delta answered.
“There should have been another box. Maybe it fell out. Check under the tree.”
“Another present? You’re spoiling me.” She hopped up and glanced under the tree, moving two gifts out of the way in her search. “I don’t see anything.”
“Keep looking. Maybe it’s behind the tree.”
Though she doubted it could have fallen back there, she did as he asked. “Ignacio, I don’t see?—”
“Here it is.”
She turned, and her breath caught. Ignacio was down on one knee holding a small velvet box in his hand. Her heart pounded in her ears as he slowly opened the box and revealed a ring with a square stone in a breathtaking green color, surrounded by white diamonds.
“It’s a green diamond, extremely rare,” Ignacio explained, his voice steady but laced with emotion. “When I told my mother I wanted to marry you, she let me have the ring. It’s a family heirloom. I should have returned it to her when you and I never got engaged, but I held onto it. I don’t know why. Maybe because I was hoping, wishing, that someday you’d wear it. Or maybe because I didn’t want anyone else to have it. I always thought of this ring as yours.”
Delta covered her mouth with one hand, her eyes filling with tears.
“I love you so much. You make me laugh, I can share my dreams with you—my ups and downs. I can just be myself. I want to know that you’ll be mine forever. Will you marry me, Delta?”
A breathless laugh escaped her throat. “Are you serious?”
“I’ve never been more serious in my life.”
“Yes. Of course, yes!”
A relieved smile spread across Ignacio’s face as he slid the ring onto her finger. Perfect fit. She threw herself into his arms, knocking him backward onto the floor.
She pressed kisses all over his face as he laughed, holding her tightly.
Finally, Delta pulled back. “This is the best Christmas present I could ever have. I love you.”
They kissed tenderly, which slowly turned into something more, and Ignacio groaned.
“We have to go. We need to pick up Vivian, and my family’s expecting us.”
“We have a little time,” she whispered, undoing his belt.
A lazy smile touched his lips. “I like the way you think.” He pulled her down for another sweet kiss.
They undressed in a rush, whispering and laughing, enjoying each other. Delta climbed on top of Ignacio and took him in her mouth, stretching her lips around his rigid length. This was her man, and she wanted to make him feel good.
She swirled her tongue around the tip of his dick, immensely satisfied by the groans that were torn from his chest. He guided her movements with a hand on her head, gently pumping so he slid back and forth in her mouth.
Grabbing her hair, Ignacio lifted her head from his body. “Get on top of me,” he commanded.
Delta did as he asked and sank onto his hard flesh, sighing as waves of pleasure coursed through her body. She rode him slowly, feeling his hands slide up her waist to her heavy breasts—kneading and massaging, then teasing and tweaking her hard nipples.
Right as she started to come, he stiffened and came too. She tossed her head back and indulged in the passion exploding in her loins. She ground her pelvis against his, mouth open, gasping and riding while he held her hips and grunted through the throes of ecstasy.
She finally collapsed on top of him, completely spent, her body turned to liquid and her racing heart matching the rapid beating of his in his chest.
“I will never let you go again,” Ignacio breathed against her neck.
Delta wanted to speak but was too overwhelmed by emotion. She lost track of how long they stayed in the same position, their damp bodies locked together as one—savoring the moment and each other before they had to share the news of their engagement with the rest of the world.