Chapter Nineteen
Jaime gasped. The sight of Alma kneeling in front of him while she tugged on his belt was almost enough to make him come without her even taking him in her mouth.
But he wanted to savor every bit of their encounter.
It might never happen again.
However, he didn’t want her to think she owed him anything.
“Hey,” he said in a whisper. “You don’t have to do this. I wanted to help you.”
“Oh, I know. I want to though. I’ve been dying to since I saw you. Please, let me.”
Well, if she insisted.
She undid his belt with a single motion, and his shorts dropped to the floor.
He stood there before her and her hands grazed his black boxer briefs.
She teased a little, like she used to. A few kisses on the elastic, her fingers stroking him.
Damn how he wanted her. How he needed her.
“Baby.” He stroked her hair, and their eyes met. “Suck my cock.”
She didn’t say a word but nodded her head. Her hands squeezed his ass, and she pulled down his underwear.
Jaime closed his eyes. This was happening, they were happening again. She initiated it. She wanted him.
And he never wanted to let her go.
She kissed around the base of his cock. Jaime couldn’t take the torture.
“Stop teasing me, babe.”
She licked down his length and grasped him firmly. Stroking him with her soft hands, she kissed his tip a few more times before taking him deeply into her mouth.
Jaime exhaled and ran his fingers through her hair.
“That’s it, baby. Did you miss my cock in your mouth?”
“Sí.”
Her mouth bobbed up and down, taking him deeper and deeper.
Pulses of pleasure jolted through his body. This intimate act felt different with her than with any of the other women he had ever been with.
Why?
Was it that he had once loved her?
No time to think about that now.
Jaime took control. He pulled her head into his waist.
“Damn. Your mouth is so hot.”
She dug her nails into the sides of his thighs as he thrust his cock deeper into her mouth.
“I’m going to come, baby.”
He tried to pull away, but Alma wouldn’t let him. She sucked him so hard, so deep. He grunted and filled her mouth with his hot cum, and she lapped up every bit and then swallowed.
“Alma, baby. That was incredible.”
She wiped her mouth. “Glad you liked it.”
He laughed, pulled up his boxer briefs and then embraced her. “Liked it? I loved it.”
A wave of emotion flashed over him. Was he just in the afterglow?
He could’ve sworn that his feelings had come back to him.
He loved her.
No, no. It was just that intense high from the pleasure.
And despite her showing up tonight, she hadn’t given him any indication that she wanted to date him again.
But he had made a decision.
He wanted her.
More than just a fling.
He’d been thinking about it, about them, nonstop. Yes, he was still young, and yes, he wasn’t sure what he was going to do as a career. But he wanted her. Maybe growing up meant taking a risk even if it will fail, both in business and in love.
And what if they could start something together? Not just personally but professionally. He could start a tequila brand with her.
It wasn’t the right time to tell her now. Not until they spent more time together. Not until she could see for herself how much he had changed.
And that he was serious about her.
After they both went to the bathroom, Jaime relaxed on the bed in his room. She cuddled up next to him, her head resting on his chest.
“Seriously, thanks for getting the critic back to the restaurant. It meant a lot to me.”
He laughed as he stroked her hair. “Ha. If I knew that would’ve been my reward, I would’ve done it sooner.”
Alma playfully smacked him. “Stop.”
He pulled her into him. “No, I’m joking. Your bar is amazing, and you deserve all the success in the world. It wasn’t fair that I ruined your chances to have a good review.”
She looked up at him and batted her eyelashes. “Thank you. And I’m sorry for going off on you that night. I was so shocked. I never thought I’d see you again.”
“Honestly, I didn’t plan on seeing you again. Ever. I did just come here selfishly because I wanted to start a tequila line. I wanted to see you, of course I did. But I wasn’t planning on rekindling anything.”
But I am now.
He kept his thoughts to himself.
“I have a question for you.”
His breath hitched. “What?”
“What are you doing in a couple of weeks?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Why?”
She pursed her lips. “Nothing. Just curious.”
Jaime didn’t press. Back when they were dating, Alma had always been cautious and slow to open up. She would tell him what was on her mind when the time was right.
They had a quiet night in. Ordered room service—juicy cheeseburgers and crispy french fries for the win—and watched some cheesy rom-com on the television.
“I should get back. Tequila needs me.”
Jaime hesitated. He shouldn’t push but he couldn’t help himself.
Alma glared at him. “What? Do you want to walk me back?”
“I do. But what I really want is to spend the night with you.”
Alma’s eyes widened. “Okay.”
Jaime beamed. “You sure?”
“Yeah, it would be nice.”
He gathered his toiletry bag, and they walked to her place. She opened the door and gathered up Tequila.
“Make yourself at home.”
Jaime nodded and took in the room. It was cozy and warm. Big throw blankets, family pictures on the wall, a few pieces of brightly colored art.
She returned from her dog walk and got ready for bed.
Jaime did as well and snuggled in beside her.
He kissed Alma on the forehead. “I wanted to stay with you last night, but I didn’t want to overwhelm you.”
She grinned. “This is really great Jaime, but I want to be clear. Let’s just enjoy ourselves while you’re in town, and then when we say goodbye, we can both finally move on.”
Jaime’s throat tightened. He turned his head away, trying to conceal his emotions. “Right. Exactly what I was thinking.”
“Cool. I’m glad we’re on the same page.”
“Yup. Night.”
He closed his eyes and tried to go to sleep but it didn’t work. He was up most of the night watching her sleep.
How had he been so stupid, allowing himself to find feelings he thought he had lost forever?
She woke early in the morning.
Jaime needed to bounce.
“I’d love to stay and have breakfast, but I have to meet my brothers.”
“Oh, totally. I have to get to work.” She kissed him softly. “I’ll see you at the Cinco festival.”
“Yup. See you there.”
Jaime bolted out of her place and walked back to his hotel. Once there, he finally crashed.
When he woke up, it was early afternoon. He texted his brothers.
Jaime: Sorry I’ve been absent. Can you meet for lunch?
Ramón: Yup. We’re at the Depot now.
Jaime: On my way.
The Depot was close by in the neighboring town of Mill Valley. It was a historic train stop that had been turned into a bookstore and café. He and Alma would often go there and study together when they spent weekends in Marin.
Jaime arrived. The place looked exactly as he remembered it. People playing chess, skateboarding on the concrete, reading underneath trees. It reminded Jaime of Europe.
Europe.
Jaime had planned to surprise Alma with a graduation trip to Europe as she had never been. But he had broken up with her instead.
Had she ever gone?
Ramón and Enrique were sitting at a table, drinking coffee. Their women were nowhere to be found.
Ramón stood up and hugged Jaime. “You look like shit. Rough night?”
Jaime nodded. “Yeah. I’ll tell you all about it. Where are Santi and Tiburón?”
“You know Tiburón. He convinced Santi to take him joyriding in one of his many cars.”
“Sounds like him. I’m going to get some food.”
Jaime walked into the café and ordered a breakfast burrito and an iced vanilla latte with a double shot of espresso.
While he waited for his food, he perused the books. The store was small with a curated collection of cookbooks, YA books, and some literary fiction.
He paused over a book with cocktail recipes. He picked it up and browsed through the pages.
Alma should write one about tequila.
He wanted to text her right away, but her words rang in his head.
She wanted this to be casual.
He didn’t, but he hadn’t told her that.
Nor would he.
His food finally arrived, and he took the plate and glass over to his brothers.
Enrique patted him on the back. “So spill. What have you been up to?”
“You know the answer. Alma. We slept together. And I spent the night with her last night.”
Ramón’s eyes widened. “Not shocking at all. I’d be more shocked if you hadn’t.”
“I know.”
Enrique shook his head. “So you plan to end it and leave?”
Jaime’s voice lowered. “That’s the thing. I think I want to get back together with her.”
Ramón’s mouth dropped. “No you don’t.”
“I do though. But it won’t happen. She made it very clear she is only interested in a fling.”
“Maybe she’s saying that out of fear,” Enrique said. “Did you tell her how you feel?”
“Of course not.”
Ramón leaned into his youngest brother. “Look. I never thought I’d be in a happy relationship. Neither did Enrique. But we are both in healthy partnerships. You hurt Alma greatly. She’s probably scared. You have to tell her what you want.”
Jaime sipped his latte. His brothers were right. His soul knew that Alma still cared about him. He had to tell her that he was willing to try out a real relationship with her.
With no expiration date in sight.