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I looked up at Alejandro and he gave me a nod of appreciation before we all walked into the house.
A few hours later, the three of us were sitting on the patio. We’d eaten a beautiful lunch and Maria had regaled me with dozens of stories of Alejandro as a child. He had rolled his eyes throughout and admonished her for the more embarrassing ones, but she had simply laughed and told him not to be so grumpy.
I saw a completely different side to him when she was around, and it was a side of him I could learn to like.
For our part, Alejandro and I had played the adoring couple, and I took the opportunity to flirt outrageously with him every chance I got.
He went into the house and brought out a fresh jug of lemonade. When he set it on the table, I placed my hand on his forearm and rubbed my thumb over his warm skin. I felt him stiffen at my touch and bit back a giggle.
I smiled up at him. ‘Thank you, darling,’ I purred.
He flashed me a quick scowl before plastering a fake smile on his face.
‘Oh, you two are just perfect for each other,’ Maria said as she clasped her hands together and looked between the two of us. ‘So much so, that I have almost forgiven you for depriving your mother of her only child’s wedding,’ she said to Alejandro with a scowl.
‘I said I’m sorry, Mama,’ he replied.
As soon as we’d got into the house earlier, Maria had spent a full half hour grilling her son about our relationship and subsequent wedding, and admonishing him for marrying in secret. It had been a sight to behold and I’d had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling throughout.
‘So am I, Maria,’ I added. ‘But we just couldn’t bear to wait a moment longer. Could we, darling?’ I looked up and gazed at him adoringly.
I saw the wicked grin spreading across his lips and wondered what was going through his mind.
‘No. I couldn’t wait to make this woman my wife,’ he said and then he bent his head low and kissed me. His soft lips pressing lightly against mine at first before he licked across my lips, forcing them open and allowing his tongue to slip into my mouth. And what could I do? I had to play along, didn’t I?
So I melted into his kiss, letting him devour my mouth with his expert tongue as his hand slid down my back and onto my ass. I felt a jolt of pleasure shoot through my body as he squeezed it hard, knowing that his mom wouldn’t be able to see.
I should have been annoyed. But all I could think about was how good his hand and his mouth felt on me. When he pulled back, I gasped out loud.
I wanted more.
So much more.
Then I remembered his mom was sitting right there and I blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear self-consciously before I turned to face her.
She laughed softly. ‘Montoya men are very passionate,’ she said with a shrug and a knowing smile.
‘Lo siento, Mama,’ Alejandro said as he took a seat.
‘No need to apologize. Your Alana is a beautiful woman, son. I’m glad that you’ve finally found someone to share your life with. I was starting to worry about you.’
He took her hand and kissed it softly. ‘You never have to worry about me, Mama.’
Maria placed her free hand over mine. ‘Well, now that you have Alana to love you, I will certainly worry less.’
I smiled at her, although I felt a pang of guilt for lying to this lovely woman who clearly adored her son. But I supposed her believing that he was happy and in love brought her some comfort when she lived so far away from him.
‘I’ll look after him, Maria. I promise,’ I said and in that moment, I meant it too.
ALEJANDRO
I kissed my mother on the cheek before closing the car door behind her and watching as her driver turned out of my driveway. I’d suggested that she spend the night, but she wanted to visit her old friend while she was in LA She also made it clear that she was keen not to intrude on the newlyweds.
The irony of that wasn’t lost on me. The fact was, Alana and I got along much better when my mother was around — even if it was all only for her benefit.
I walked back into the house and looked for Alana. Whatever I thought about her, she had managed to convince my mother that this thing between the two of us was real, and for that I was grateful. I wondered what, or how much, it might cost me to repay that particular favor.
I found her in the kitchen helping Magda clear the dishes from our late lunch. They were laughing at something but stopped when they saw me walking into the room, and I couldn’t help but wonder what they’d found so funny.
