Chapter 9 – Alana
Chapter
Nine
ALANA
Alejandro waits by the front door like the passing of time offends him.
I watch the tight flick of his wrist as he checks his watch again, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling.
Waiting doesn’t suit him at all, and he wears his impatience like a man unused to not getting what he wants.
“Lucia!” His voice cuts through the house, loud and frustrated. “If you’re not down here in two minutes, we’re leaving without you.”
Silence.
He exhales through his nose, the sound edged with irritation, his shoulders going rigid in that way I’ve learned means he’s already halfway to anger.
I slip on my heels and walk over to him.
“She’s just nervous about what to wear,” I say lifting my hand to his cheek and tracing a fingernail over his stubble.
“She’s been excited about this all day.”
His jaw flexes beneath my palm. “She’d better hurry.”
It’s only been two weeks since Lucia arrived.
Tomorrow, she turns seventeen, and we both agreed that it was an event that should be celebrated, even when she tried to brush off such a suggestion.
Alejandro made the reservation at one of those places where everything is expensive and deliberate, and Lucia has been spinning in circles all day trying to decide what to wear.
We went shopping earlier and she couldn’t choose between five different outfits.
I bought them all because I couldn’t bear to watch her choose.
Because I remember what it feels like to be a teenage girl and want everything at once.
Alejandro sighs, long and even more impatient, his gaze still fixed on the stairs like he hopes to will her into existence. Then, finally, he looks at me, and the shift is immediate. His eyes are softer. Darker. Possessive.
His hand slides over my hip, fingers pressing into my curves like he’s been starved of contact. “You look beautiful, princesa,” he says, voice lower now. “Red suits you.”
Heat blooms beneath my skin. I glance down at the dress, at the way it clings to me like it was made to betray every line of my body. I chose it for him, knowing exactly what effect it would have.
“You think so?” My voice comes out lighter than I feel as I step closer, my hand resting against his chest, feeling the steady, dangerous rhythm beneath. “I’m glad you like the color.” I hesitate, just for a second, then lean into him, letting my lips brush near his ear. “It matches my panties.”
“Fuck,” he exhales, the word roughly dragged out of him.
“They’re see-through too.”
“Careful,” he murmurs, his tone so dark and captivating that it has heat coiling low in my stomach. “Or we’re not making it to dinner.”
A shiver runs through me, sharp and electric. I press my forehead lightly against his chin. “You can’t ruin tonight. I told you she’s been excited all day.”
He huffs, but there’s no annoyance in it now. “She’ll forgive me when she sees her gift.”
She probably will. The car arrives tomorrow morning—an extravagant and generous gift that caught me off guard.
Alejandro doesn’t do things halfway, but this…
this feels special. He didn’t want Lucia here, but every day he’s changing for her.
Growing softer and yet more protective. I study his face, a man of so many contradictions.
He looks down at me then, really looks, and whatever he sees there makes his expression darken again. His body presses closer, and the world narrows to the space between us.
He squeezes my ass. “I’ll deal with you later,” he murmurs, his lips grazing mine. A promise more than a threat. Maybe a little of both.
My pulse spikes. I let myself lean into him, just for a second—just long enough to feel unsteady.
“Oh my God. Can you two not for, like, five minutes?” Lucia’s voice breaks the moment clean in half.
Alejandro winks at me, his hand dropping from my ass.
I turn to the stairs, still catching my breath, and see her.
And for a moment, everything else fades into the background.
She looks radiant. The aqua-blue dress catches the light with every step she takes, and her hair is freshly styled and gorgeous.
“You look beautiful, Lucia,” I tell her honestly. Another thing I remember about being a teenage girl, the way you can stare at yourself in the mirror and both hate and love what stares back at you.
She twirls at the bottom of the stairs, a little shy and also a little proud.
Alejandro nods, his voice steady and calm. “You do, chica.”
A blush spreads across her cheeks, soft and fleeting. “Gracias,” she says quietly. I have double the reason to take those Spanish lessons now, and she’s been helping me out with a few more words.
“Right,” Alejandro says, staring at his watch again. “Can we finally go now, ladies?”
An hour later, we’re sitting on the terrace of the restaurant looking out over the ocean. This place is truly spectacular.
“I think this is the most beautiful view I have ever seen in my life,” I say with a contented sigh.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Alejandro says. He winks at me, devilish and sexy, and I realize he isn’t talking about the ocean.
Lucia watches us, giggling behind her soda glass.
“What’s so funny?” I ask.
“You two,” she replies with a dramatically teenage eye roll. “You’re so sweet together.”
Alejandro frowns. “Sweet?” He sounds deeply offended.
“Yeah. Like whenever you’re near to each other, you’re always touching.”
I almost choke on the mouthful of water I just took. “What?”
Did she notice Alejandro’s hand wandering beneath my dress a few minutes earlier? No, she couldn’t have. She was reading her menu, and his hand was under the table. It was almost innocent compared to what he usually does when we’re in a restaurant together.
Her laugh grows louder. Infectious. “I don’t mean like that.
I mean, look at you now. Your shoulders and hips are touching.
Alejandro has brushed your hand or your arm at least half a dozen times in the past five minutes.
Most couples don’t sit that close together at a restaurant, you know.
At least most that I’ve ever known. I just think it’s sweet how much you guys are into each other, that’s all. ”
Alejandro clears his throat and then takes a sip of his wine. “I don’t think I’ve ever been called sweet before in my entire life.” He sits back against the seat and puts his arm around me.
Lucia flashes him a smirk. “I never said you were sweet. I’ve just never really seen a couple like you two before.”
“What about your mom and dad?” I ask. Alejandro tenses beside me. He knows a lot more about her parents than I do.
“No way.” Lucia shakes her head and picks up a bread roll. “They…Well, they weren’t like that at all.” She sniffs before tearing off a chunk of bread.
“Wait until you taste the lobster here, Lucia. It’s incredible,” Alejandro says in an obvious attempt to change the subject.
We’ve finished our meal and are waiting for dessert when the waiter arrives with a bottle of champagne. He places three flutes on the table and expertly pops the cork before pouring.
Lucia lights up instantly, the sound she makes bright and unguarded, like she forgot for a second to be anything but seventeen.
“It’s alcohol free,” Alejandro says, cutting through her excitement before it can fully bloom.
“Tragic, but also good,” she laughs, the disappointment dissolving into something playful.
The waiter slips away, leaving the three of us alone in the quiet hum of the restaurant once more.
I glance between them, smiling. “What’s this for? Are we celebrating something?”
Alejandro doesn’t answer right away. Instead, there’s a look on his face—one that indicates he’s enjoying the moment more than he’ll admit.
“I got a call from my lawyer today. The paperwork making us Lucia’s legal guardians has all been signed off.
It’s official. You’re stuck with us for a while yet, kid. ”
Lucia gives a squeal of delight, and I feel like doing the same myself.
“Wow! That was quick,” I say, both impressed and relieved that there was no red tape to wade through. Looks like Lucia was right about that.
Alejandro leans back, sliding an arm around my shoulder. “I pulled some strings.” I just bet he did. Being friends with the mayor definitely has its benefits.
“Thank you,” Lucia says, her face shining with happiness and excitement. “I really don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for making this happen. Or for the clothes. Or the dinner. For everything.”
“No repayment necessary,” Alejandro tells her, looking momentarily moved. He raises his glass in a toast. “To being stuck together.”
We toast, and I steal a glance at the man I didn’t believe I could possibly love any more than I already do. Seems I was wrong. In fact, I love him more with every passing moment.
“I’m so excited, I think I’m going to pee,” Lucia announces with a grin as she stands up from the table. “Be right back.”
She walks to the restroom and I take the opportunity to thank my husband in private, resting my hand on his solid thigh. “Thank you for rushing her papers through. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you either.”
His eyes sparkle with wicked intent. “Oh, that whole ‘no repayment necessary’ line was for Lucia only. I have plenty ideas about how you can repay me, princesa.”
I’m sure he does, and I’m sure I’ll love every single one of them. “Still. It was very sweet of you.”
He winks, so damn sexy he should be illegal. “That’s the second time tonight I’ve been called sweet. Don’t go making a habit of it.”
“Well, it was,” I lean closer, dusting my lips over his jaw. “I love seeing the softer side of you.”
A growl rumbles in his chest. “There’s nothing soft about what I’ll be giving you as soon as I get you alone.”
I gasp, feigning my outrage. “Is sex ever far from your mind?”