Page 51 of Arranged

I fingered the robe and shifted my gaze toward the door. He’d turned on music, the light jazz an unusual choice. Although I had no idea what type of music Alejandro enjoyed. How could you marry a man and not know anything about him? I’d been so zoned out at the rehearsal dinner I hadn’t paid any attention to what he’d ordered.

I’d never seen his condominium. I’d never watched a movie with him. Hell, I’d never been on a date with the man. A laugh was right there in my throat, but what was the point in allowing it to escape?

I jerked to my feet, still angry with myself as I stripped off my clothes, kicking my tennis shoes aside. I’d worn no bra and he’d stolen my panties. Shit. My thong. It was still in the pocket of his tuxedo. Oh, my God. The poor guy pretending to be him would find them and wonder what the fuck was going on.

A snicker erupted from my lips from the sinful thought. What a surprise. I tried to determine which dress to wear, but couldn’t. I just didn’t care. Maybe a drink would help. I grabbed the robe, ripping off the tag and hurriedly sliding into the silky frock.

The material felt like a dream and as I tied the sash, I had a crazy thought about whether this was what mafia princesses were supposed to wear.

How silly of me.

I’d ripped my hair from the pins holding it in place during the ride. Now I rolled my fingers through the long strands, not bothering to check to see if I was presentable in the bathroom mirror. Who cared? This was a done deal. I was married. Rings and all. As I walked into the other room, I stared down at my engagement and wedding rings. Every girl had thought at least once about the moment when the love of their life would propose to them. Now I’d never know that experience. There’d been no ceremony around the engagement ring. The box had simply appeared on my dresser. The diamond was at least five carats, maybe more. Expensive and in my mind, gaudy.

Much like the necklace Don Santorelli had given my sister for her birthday.

So much for romance.

Alejandro was standing in the middle of the bay window overlooking the harbor. The only light he’d turned on was a hanging fixture in the tiny kitchen. At least the light added a warm glow to the area, complemented by the harbor lights.

“I still need to change,” he said in a deep, gruff voice, but it seemed like he had a lot on his mind.

“No hurry. As you said, the guests can wait.” Forever as long as I was concerned, although I longed to hold my little boy in my arms and kiss his sweet face. The subtle pleasures in life were what brightened my day.

His sigh was as heavy as the way my heart felt and when he turned around, I was unable to see his expression because of the shadows cast across his face. But I didn’t need to see his eyes to feel the explosive heat crackling the air between us.

“You’re not dressed,” he said, stating the obvious.

“Nope. I needed some encouragement.” He’d left the open bottle of scotch alongside a lovely bottle of cabernet he’d already opened. I chose the scotch, grabbing another rocks glass, instantly grateful he’d dumped ice cubes from plastic ice trays into a small bucket. After plopping in a single cube, I poured a half glass, instantly bringing it to my lips.

Alejandro watched me carefully the entire time I took and savored a sip. He wasn’t moving. He wasn’t saying a word. Just watching my actions as he’d done every time he’d been in the same room since I’d met him.

“You have expensive tastes,” I admitted, enjoying the scotch tremendously.

“Only in certain things.”

“Such as?” I ventured out of the kitchen space into the shadows, my skin completely alive from the light brushing of the robe’s material.

He remained quiet until he finally chuckled. “A good cheeseburger. A box of candy. They don’t need to be the most expensive brand to be delicious.”

“I’ll accept that. What about in vehicles?”

“I don’t drive a Ferrari if that’s what you’re asking. I’m more of an American car kind of guy.” He moved around the dining room table, taking a few steps closer.

“Ah, a muscle car man.” I advanced by a few inches.

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing at all. I was just afraid you were going to say you preferred a Pacer or maybe a station wagon.”

He burst into natural laughter and the sound forced goosebumps popping along every inch of skin. “I can’t say I’ve ever driven either one. What about you?”

“I prefer trucks and Jeeps, although I have a Mazda because of Gabriel. It’s a better make for a car seat.”

“Ah, yes. I guess I need to remember that.” He took another step closer and so did I.

“Yes, you will. And he’s into everything. I do mean everything. I have those clips on all my lower cabinet doors and you cannot allow any cleaning products to remain anywhere where he can get them. I walked in on him with a dishwasher soap pod in his fingers ready to eat it. I almost had a heart attack.”

“Shit. I guess I’ll see about childproofing our new house as soon as the contracts are signed.”

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