Chapter 50
Chapter
Fifty
Alana
It was a lovely drive back to LA. We talked and laughed and stopped for food and listened to cheesy eighties music that Alejandro said his mama raised him on.
But it felt like the closer we got to LA, the more tense Alejandro became.
I can understand why. Returning to LA means returning to reality.
For me, that reality is needing to check in with Lucy and to set up a meeting for tomorrow with Kristen.
There’s no way things can get fixed without her being in full knowledge of the facts.
And for Alejandro … I suppose that means dealing with Blake and whatever else my husband might have missed while we were away.
When we’re an hour outside the city, Alejandro calls Jax and lets him know he’s back, and after that, his phone starts ringing off the hook.
He answers each call and barks orders at people—sometimes in Spanish and sometimes in English.
Through these calls, I learn that Blake hasn’t been found and while that makes me worry about Lucy’s safety, Alejandro also confirms that his men have been watching the shelter in case Blake returned.
Not only did he not turn back up, but Lucy didn’t leave.
The mere mention of Blake’s name and the fact he’s still out there somewhere seems to enrage my husband further.
I look out the window as the evening turns to dusk and contemplate the last few days.
There’s no way we can be that same couple from the beach house out here in the real world.
He’s no longer the carefree man who ran barefoot on the sand and made love to me in every room of the house.
He’s Alejandro Montoya again—the king of LA.
As soon as we pull up at the house, Jacob comes to take the car and to inform Alejandro that Jax is waiting for him in his study. Alejandro turns to me, looking almost apologetic that he has to rush off. But I do understand. He has things to take care of.
“You go see Jax. I’m tired anyway.” I force a smile. “I’m going to check in with Lucy and then grab a quick shower before bed.”
His response is only a tense nod before he follows Jacob into the house. I head to our bedroom alone. Is life so unfair that it would give me a taste of something so special and then snatch it away?
After a call to Lucy, who confirms she’s safe and happy and hasn’t left the shelter all weekend, and an email to Kristen requesting a meeting tomorrow, I hop into a hot shower.
I expect Alejandro will leave with Jax to deal with Blake soon, so it’s a surprise to see the door opening and him walking into the bathroom as I’m washing my hair.
“Any room in there for me?” He pulls off his clothes without waiting for my answer.
“Of course,” I reply anyway.
He steps under the running water with me and grabs my ass, pulling me to him and pressing his hardening cock against me.
“What about Jax?” I ask.
He arches an eyebrow. “Jax? I know he’s my best buddy, but not a chance in hell I’m letting him shower with you.”
I swat him playfully on the chest. “I meant, I thought you were meeting with him?”
“I did meet with him. He just wanted to give me a rundown of what I missed. He’s gone now.”
“Oh, right.” I feel nervous for some reason.
He places his index finger under my chin and tips my head back so he can look into my eyes. “What is it, Alana?”
“Nothing. I’m being silly.”
“It’s not silly if it’s bothering you. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I thought … You just seemed so tense when we got back here. And I thought, maybe the beach house, how happy we were … maybe it wasn’t real.”
He presses his lips to mine, pushing me up against the cool tiled wall as he does.
His hands roam my body as he devours my mouth, and he cups my ass and lifts me.
I wrap my legs around his waist, and then he’s inside me.
I groan into his mouth, but he doesn’t let up.
He nails me to the wall until I come apart around him.
It’s only after he grinds his own orgasm into me that he breaks our kiss. “Was that real, princesa?” he growls.
I nod as the water spills over his face. As real as anything has ever felt before.
“This isn’t the beach house. I wish that it was.
I wish I had nothing to do all day but swim, and eat, and fuck you.
But I have responsibilities here, and yes, they often make me angry and tense.
” He cups my jaw. “But never with you. You are my beach house, Alana. You’re what makes me happy—here, or the beach, or anywhere else we may be.
Wherever you are is where I am content.”
I squeeze my legs tighter around him and pure bliss swells hot and fierce in my chest until it feels like it will burst out of me. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Alana.”
Yes, he truly does.