Page 68 of Love at First Ink

“So beautiful,” Cisco panted, his voice full of lust. He removed his fingers from inside her and put them in his mouth, never once breaking eye contact with her. It was dirty and sexy. She found herself squeezing her legs, her body heating even though she just found her release.

This man was perfect and all hers.

Marisol really wished she had an emergency pair of panties in her purse, but she hadn’t planned on Cisco fingering her the entire thirty-minute drive to her father’s store. The last thing she needed was to be talking to one of her father’s friends with her desire-soaked panties on. But it was also kind of hot, so she wondered what that said about her.

Cisco was still smirking when he found a parking spot in a nearby garage. “You ready to go, Princesa, or do you need a minute?”

Oh, she definitely needed a lot of minutes, but if she did what she really wanted to do, they’d never go into the store or get through this party. The quicker they showed up and made their presence known, the faster she could get him home and do all the naughty things she wanted to do with him.

“Why would I need a minute?” she asked, feigning innocence. His laugh followed her as they exited the car.

The sun was just starting to set, and a light breeze broughta certain chill in the air. Nightlife was just beginning here with groups of people roaming the streets, going in and out of buildings. Bars, restaurants, and shopping kept most people entertained, but live music from a grassy park area also gathered a crowd.

Her father’s store was located in the heart of it all. He was nestled between a steakhouse and a building for sale. “Hey,” she pointed to the for-sale sign, “aren’t you purchasing that property for your tattoo shop?” She remembered him walking out of the building with another man, just as she and her father were leaving the shop.

Next to her, Cisco tensed. She glanced at him, noticing his set jaw and the way his eyes narrowed at the store. Did she miss something?

“I’m not sure they’ll take my offer,” he said briskly, not offering any more explanation.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did they say why?” she asked.

This time she didn’t miss the red flush starting at his neck and going up to his cheeks. His lips were pursed in a thin line, and he shrugged. “Not really.”

She had a feeling that wasn’t the total truth, but she didn’t push him on it. Clearly, it wasn’t something he wanted to talk about, and she respected that decision. But she hoped he’d open up to her when he was ready. Which clearly wasn’t now.

“Marisol! Cisco!” Her father’s boisterous voice stole her attention from Cisco.

Travis Roberts wore his favorite beige suit that reminded her of Big Daddy fromThe Princess and the Frog. Complete with the beer—or in his case, wine—gut. Travis excused himself from greeting the guests at the front door and met them on the sidewalk. Marisol hugged him, and despite thetension within their family, she was happy she could come out and support him.

“Congratulations, Daddy. I’m proud of you,” Marisol said.

“That means a lot to me, sweetheart. I’m so happy you and Cisco could come out tonight.” Travis pulled away and reached to shake Cisco’s hand. Cisco’s weird mood from earlier was gone, and he greeted her father with a smile.

“Thank you for inviting us. You chose a great location for your shop,” he complimented.

“Fought tooth and nail for this property. Expecting great things from it, especially if you’re going to be my neighbor now.” He clapped him on the back.

Marisol watched as Cisco tensed. Clearly, her father didn’t notice and didn’t see the sign on the shop next door. She was certainly not going to bring it up.

“Come on in, you two. Sample the wines and eat the food. Your sister and Javi are here. I know they’ll be happy to see you. Sadly, they left the kids with Javi’s father for the night,” her father sighed, looking genuinely sad.

Marisol couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, of course they did. This is for wine. Do you really want to have two kids running around?”

“If those kids are my grandbabies, I do!” he said petulantly.

Marisol rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you can see them later. But for now, enjoy your night.” Then, as an afterthought, she asked, “Where’s Mom?”

“Oh, she’s inside talking to friends. She knows to be on her best behavior for the night.”

She somehow really doubted that but nodded all the same. She reached back for Cisco’s hand again, leading him through the building. The back wall of the shop was made of stone with shelves to display different wines. There were afew high tables with barrels as the base. Food and glasses of wine and sparkling water sat atop those. She loved the rustic feeling of the store and was happy her dad went with the design.

Many of the people here she recognized, either from previous events she attended or those who worked at the winery. She didn’t see her mother amongst everyone but figured she stepped out to go to the bathroom or fix her hair. Lola and Javi were speaking to two women. One had their arm over the shorter one, and they were all laughing at something Javi said.

The two women were some of Lola’s best friends, Mona and Mattea. It once made Marisol extremely jealous of her sister for having such close friends, and it still did at times, but mostly she was happy. Happy because her sister deserved people in her corner when she couldn’t be there. But also happy because Marisol might have found her own group.

Lola must have sensed her staring, because her sister soon glanced up and offered Marisol a small smile. She returned it with a wave. Lola leaned over to whisper something to Javi. He nodded once, and she broke away from the group, walking toward her sister. “I didn’t think you’d be here,” she said in greeting, offering Marisol a hug.

Hugging anyone besides her father, niece, and nephew was still new to her, but she returned it. There had been a lot of hugging in the last few weeks. “I came because it’s Dad. Plus, Mom’s attention is usually off me at things like this.”

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