Page 24 of LA Reign

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?”

“Not when you’re sitting next to me in that dress and see-through panties.” He leans even closer until his lips are brushing my ear. “If Lucia wasn’t with us, I’d have fucked you in the car on the way here and taken those panties of yours hostage. Then you’d have had to sit here eating your meal with my cum dripping down your thighs.”