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“Even if you beg for it.”
“Beg?” I lick my lips, tasting him.
“Beg.” The word is laced with a challenge matching the sexual fire in his eyes.
“I’ve never begged a day in my life.”
He taps his temple as if calling on a memory. “Your birthday, junior year.”
Against my will and good sense, my mind takes me back to that night, and a wildfire spreads through my body. I clench my thighs tight. This is why I can't. Sex with him was never just sex. It was an escape from my reality, medicine for my ails, a refuge when I needed…him.
"Okay, …okay…that one time. Damn, stop bringing up old stuff."
Mateo's head falls back, and I laugh with him, trying to mask the kernel of fear. Hunter is right. I am a different person with him. I drop my head on his shoulder.
“I think this will be the best Christmas ever.” He places a soft kiss on my forehead.
“Yeah, I think so too.”
I have to tread lightly, or I’ll find myself falling back in love with him again.
Chapter 7
The chauffeured car drives through the Upper East Side of New York. I look up at the concrete building and back at Mateo.
“You live in a condo?”
He shakes his head. “The penthouse.”
The driver opens his door, and Mateo slips out. I look back at the building, counting to the sixth floor, confused. "Penthouse?"
He opens my door, and I take his offered hand. "Give us two hours, and I'll take the luggage inside."
"Yes, Mr. Rodriquez." The driver pulls away from the curb, and I survey the street. The neighborhood seems quiet. There are similar units down both sides of the road. They resemble townhomes to me. But I've never seen a six-story townhouse.
"Welcome home!" A petite, plump woman with short brown hair is at the top of the steps with her arms opened wide. Mateo takes the stairs two at a time and swoops her up into a bear hug. He makes loud kissing noises on her cheeks, and she swats at each one.
He lowers her to the ground, and her attention turns to me. I climb the stairs standing beside him.
"Tia Marie, I'd like to introduce you to my fiancé Alexandria Martinez."
I tense, my eyes seek his. His response is a slight lift of his eyebrow. Game on.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She playfully swats at his arm. Her eyes radiate with excitement. "It's about time, Mateo. To think you've worried your poor mother. Wait until I tell her."
“You don’t have to wait long…she’ll be here tomorrow. Surprise.”
Her hand covers her heart in stunned silence. Her lips quiver, and she starts crying. I know it’s from happiness because her smile is so serene.
"Tia Marie is my mother's sister." He tells me.
“The one you lived with when you moved here?” I recall.
“Yes.” He gathers Marie in his arms, her head rests on his chest. She’s wiping away the tears, but they keep falling. "They haven't seen each other since she moved to the States." He places a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Nice to meet you, Marie." I reach in my purse and pass her a tissue.
“Please call me Tia Marie.” She sniffles. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you too. Let’s get you inside and settled in.”
