Page 69 of King of Hearts

Juan’s hand landed on my lower back while his lips landed on my hairline. I melted into him instantly, threading my hands into the material of his shirt and finding harbor under his chin. He was like a fortress, always shielding me when he didn’t need to.

“Let me help you at least,” I whispered, already knowing there was no way I was going to sway him.

“Okay, grab the eggs.”

We stood side by side with his mom and aunt while he made eggs, bacon, and toast. I grabbed one of my yogurts to pair with my meal then sat and ate my food while listening to Juan and his mother and a few other women milling about, laughing with one another about Juan’s stepdad, Leo. They seemed to joke about his surly demeanor and how he didn’t know how to season things properly. I was smiling, enjoying myself, this new version of Anna, and this little glimpse of the old Juan I used to know through Mallory, the goofy one always laughing and joking with her.

It was sometimes difficult to remember that the man I was falling in love with was the same one I’d known the last four years as my sister’s silly, joking best friend. I was mulling over Juan’s character with a smile on my face until Anna asked Juan about hockey.

“That man, Mr. Delgado, called me the other day. Told me to talk some sense into you.”

I kept my head down so as not to let on that my ears had perked up.

Juan didn’t reply, just silently chewed his breakfast while taking sips of his drink.

“Says there’s a team from Chicago that wants you.”

Was that true? I thought Juan had been interviewing for other teams—why would he suddenly turn them down? He hadn’t said anything about it…but then again, our entire focus had been on my situation with my father, and the baby…and orgasms. There wasn’t room for anything else.

“So?” Juan remarked slowly, still acting as though this wasn’t news. His jaw tensed as he chewed, and I had the urge to shake him. Of course he should go after it. Hell, why wouldn’t he go after it?

Because of me.

“So, you should take it. From the sound of it, the team is from the NHL,” Anna explained, sounding increasingly agitated.

Juan continued chewing his food in silence, only reaching for my thigh under the island to squeeze it. Then his stool made that sound as he stood and gripped my hand.

“We need to get going.”

I followed after him but gave one last look to his mother, who was giving me a lethal glare as we exited. Her whiskey eyes narrowed as she tossed a dish towel on the counter and began muttering in Spanish. By the way Maria winced, I had a feeling I wouldn’t like what she had to say. I didn’t like that Juan was doing this. I didn’t want to keep him from it either, but what was I supposed to do?

A desperate burn began in my lungs, warning me to get some clarity around this entire situation. It hurt that Juan hadn’t told me about the offer, but I understood on some level…he was still keeping me at arm’s length.

I needed a second to think and process all the feelings that were swirling in my chest, making it ache.

Holding his hand, I walked with him toward the study. “He was supposed to give me until my birthday,” I said as Juan secured the door by locking it. I paced, bringing my hand to my forehead. “That’s still a month away. I want to leverage that, get a little bit of time so we can figure something out.”

Juan’s head snapped up as he turned toward me.

“Time for what?”

His eyes narrowed in a way that had me questioning whether or not this was a good idea. I didn’t want to hurt him, but I also couldn’t allow him to give up his life for mine.

“Time to think of a way out of this fake deal…so you can go back to living your life, and I can move on with mine.”

Hurt flashed across his features briskly. He lowered his gaze once more before I could fully process how he would feel about my comment…but even if he was attracted to me, there was no way he felt the same way for me that I did for him. Memories of his pointed words about how he wished I would just disappear came rolling back into my mind. It wasn’t like he hadn’t meant those words; he’d merely felt it his duty to step in and help me, regardless of how he felt about me.

“So, you want to figure out how to get out of this?” He raised his eyebrow, walking around the room until he drew closer to me.

I scoffed. “This?” I moved to the desk, sitting on the ledge. “Juan, you were forced into this, and I couldn’t be more grateful, but I can’t ask you—”

“You didn’t fucking ask me.” Juan pushed his left hand angrily through his hair.

The muscle in his firm jaw jumped, making his face look deadly. The light from outside poured in, invading his study, casting a glow along the wooden desk and soft oak-colored floors.

I cleared my throat, barely speaking above a whisper. “I want to go home, see my mom…talk to Mal about everything. I just need some time.”

“You can’t talk about my family with Mallory.”

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