Emiliano
PAPO Y PALOMA
If I get Taina killed, I’ll never forgive myself.
That’s what’s rolled around in my head since we left the garage, the remnants of her car left behind to be used for parts.
When we pulled up outside her parents’ house, she insisted I stay outside, even though I would’ve loved to see her father. It isn’t like he can meet me with a shotgun the way fathers joke when it comes to protecting their daughters.
Not unless he wants to die where he stands.
So I stood outside my car, staring at Taina’s front door for about an hour before she finally walked out.
She’s stunning, no matter what she wears. When I first saw her, barefaced and wearing gym clothes, I was so captivated by her.
But seeing her now? Knowing that she’s wearing this with me in mind makes me feel like a lucky fucker.
She moves in heels like she’s been walking in them since infancy. Not a wobble or uneven step to be seen. She donned an off-shoulder black sweater, and I’ve never thought clavicles were sexy until I saw hers .
Black leather pants hug her thick thighs, and she holds a tiny purse that looks like it couldn’t hold more than lipstick.
Good.
Speaking of, she’s got that deep red on her lips again and brushed her hair back into a sleek bun, her curls voluminous at the nape of her neck.
I take my time drinking her in as she approaches, her brow lifting when she’s directly in front of me.
“You gonna get my door or should we have a picnic here?”
If this weren’t the beginning and I wasn’t concerned about scaring her off, I’d grab her by her face and kiss her, bringing my other hand down between her legs to rub her pussy with my fingertips.
But we aren’t there yet, so I chuckle as I step away, stopping in front of the passenger door and opening it for her.
“Good girl,” I murmur when she slides into my passenger seat like she belongs there, next to me. I earn an eye roll, but I know better.
She’ll love when I’m saying it as she comes.
And I can’t wait to see her come. I can’t wait to watch her body react to the pleasure I’m giving her.
But I stamp down these thoughts as I get in the car, pressing the brake and the ignition button to start it.
She doesn’t know where we’re going, but I want to take her far from here, where it’s safe. I want to show her how life could be beside me. Even if it’s just a snippet of that life.
Desmond knows we’re coming, and he’s already set up the guest house for us. He recruited his mom and sister to decorate, and their in-house chef is preparing our food now.
Every time I think about the bullet holes in her car, I want to rage. When I informed Ignacio, not wanting to bother Carlos about a girl I’ve barely gotten to know, he said what I figured he’d say.
“If you care about her, she needs to know and she needs security. ”
We both know if the Russians have the balls to try to take me out, she’d be little more than a chore for them. Something to scratch off their to-do list.
But one thing doesn’t make sense to me.
“Why didn’t you tell the police you were shot at? They likely wouldn’t have arrested you, had you been honest.”
I see her look at me from the corner of my eye as we speed down the highway.
“My mom told me your family is dangerous,” she says, her voice quiet.
“And so you figured…it was because of me?” And kept quiet to protect me? “Why didn’t you tell me before I saw it for myself?”
“I knew you’d want to babysit me, and I don’t need anyone breathing down my neck.” She adjusts in her seat, and I sneak a glance her way. “I already have to deal with it with my parents.”
“I just want you to be safe, the same way I’m sure they do.”
“You don’t know shit about what they want,” she retorts quickly.
“That may be true, but I know what it’s like to have a parent who doesn’t know how to be affectionate.”
She pauses and then asks, “Your mother?”
“She had a hard life until she came here. And my father doted on her, made her feel like a queen. Now that he’s gone, she seems so lonely.”
Taina doesn’t say anything, and when I peer over, she’s looking outside the window at the moon.
“I don’t want to talk about them. I want to talk about you. And then I want to talk about us,” I try, hoping this night can take a more positive turn.
“What us?”
“The one I’m working on right now,” I insist, incredulity boosting my words .
She doesn’t say anything, and I wonder if I’ve pushed too hard.
“Where are you taking me?” she asks after about twenty minutes. I’d turned on some bachata on low and let her unwind from what must’ve been a traumatic day.
“You’re going to meet my best friend.”
“A double date?” She looks over at me, her nose screwed up adorably. “Not the best first date idea.”
“No,” I tell her with a chuckle. “We’re having our date on his property. A ranch that he’d been wanting since he was old enough to research his ancestors.”
“You don’t mean?—”
“Yes,” I interject. “His great-grandfather was born on that land and worked it even after he was freed.”
“I bet he never thought something like that would be possible, let alone for it to happen with his own great-grandson.”
“And Papo—Desmond—he’s so business savvy. He’s turned it into something amazing.”
I tap the brake to slow us down so the dirt road doesn’t kick up rocks. The fence surrounding the property has little solar lights, so it’s easy to follow along. We turn into the long driveway and instead of taking the right to head to the main house, I turn left to lead us to the guest house.
Muted lighting leaks from the windows, and I pull the car over before turning it off. When I look over at her, she’s got her arms crossed and is looking around, but it’s dark out. She won’t be able to see much.
I take her body language into account and press the button above the rearview mirror to turn on the lights. She glances at me once they’re on and then looks back outside.
“Are you afraid?” I ask, realizing that maybe it wasn’t the best idea to bring her to the middle of nowhere in the dark.
She doesn’t respond, and I send Papo a quick text to help me out .
“I’m not going to tell you not to be afraid.” I itch to reach out and physically reassure her, but I know it’ll only make things worse. “I’m going to show you. Day by day, moment by moment, I’ll make sure you’re comfortable until you trust me.”
She almost died today because of me. Of course she’s wary.
There’s a rap at my window, and she jumps, touching the seatbelt latch as if she’s going to unbuckle and run. But I roll down the window, and Papo bends to see us, a smile on his face.
“I brought a friend,” he starts, looking at Taina. “She’ll answer any questions you have about this place.”
The woman we rescued from the Russians—I’ve since learned her name is Paloma—knocks on Taina’s window and waves. Taina hesitates, but she opens the door, and Paloma squats down to talk to her.
Their words are hushed, and I step outside to give them privacy.
“You told her not to tell Taina about the criminal stuff, right?”
“Yeah, man. She knows.”
“How’ve things been with her here?” I hiss out my question, peering back to make sure they aren’t listening.
“Peaceful. She’s…kind,” Papo answers, staring past me without qualms, like he’s used to keeping his eyes on her.
“And your family? What do they think of her?” He finally looks at me when I ask him this question.
“Mom is obsessed. Trina loves her cooking, and you know Dad. He just goes with the flow.”
I’m about to speak when Taina exits the car. I’m surprised to see her hug Paloma before taking her hands in her own. A few more words are exchanged and they part, Paloma heading for Desmond and Taina taking a few steps toward the house.
“We’ll leave you to it.” Papo smirks, and I turn away, eager to get to the date. Behind me, I hear their steps crunch against the gravel in unison and I wonder…
Nah.
“Come on.” I gesture for Taina to walk with me, nervous to touch her now. “I’m sure you’re starving.” S hit, I am.
She steps toward the house, and I reach into the center console to grab a small box.
Far be it for me to be empty-handed when in the presence of a beautiful woman I’m attempting to court.