by Box Set
Stefano tilted his head, as if trying to understand why someone would make such a big deal about a career as a tour guide. In his world, her pay equaled to chump change. Her ambitions silly at best. A warm wave spread across her cheeks, and she shook her head. Shit. What was happening with her?
“Forget it. I don’t know why I said it.” She motioned to walk away, but he gripped her arm and made her turn to him.
“I do. Because you’re scared of change. Because you think whatever you know, whatever you do, won’t be enough to keep you ahead of the game.” His commanding voice stripped her of any subterfuge. His eyes sparked so much, they entranced her. A shot of excitement and, yes, fear, traveled down her being until it settled between her legs. Maybe it the truth behind his words rattled her, or the way he delivered them—boldly.
“Let me tell you something, Roxie… you will always matter. I don’t mean just to the company. You have a way with people… that’s yours alone.”
“T-thanks,” she said, her voice wavering.
He loosened his hold on her arm, then let it go completely. His eyes still pinned her down, staring at her intently. She quivered like someone had just smacked her across the face. “You matter to me. A great deal.”
“Then why did you leave? After we had sex. You knew it was my first time. Why didn’t you call or send a letter afterward?”
“Because I was scared too. I wanted a life away from my mom and my stepfather, and I knew if I came back, it would be hard to leave.”
“I’m not saying you should have returned to marry me or anything. Just a line. A freaking sentence so I wouldn’t feel so used.”
“Roxie… I’m sorry. I heard from my mom later on you were seeing Donny again and I didn’t want to make it awkward. I figured you hated me for beating up your boyfriend. You deserved better. Still do.” He let out a sigh.
Roxie chewed on her lower lip, and for the first time in a long while didn’t know what to say. Crap. Did what happen in the past even matter? He still thought she deserved better. He had admitted he didn’t want a happily ever after. Why fool myself?
“Then why did you take me out to dinner and kiss me? And make out with me in my home?” She decided to keep the part where he had been super sweet to her boy out of it. Her goal wasn’t for him to think she was fantasizing about a white picket fence for the two of them; but to hold him accountable.
“Because I want you so much.”
“Because you screwed me once and it ended quickly?” She cleared her throat. She was too damn old for games. If this was about his bruised ego…
“Because whenever you’re near, I forget about everything else, and just want to make love to you in all ways imaginable.”
“Wow.” The word didn’t come from her mouth, so she turned to follow the voice behind her.
A woman in her twenties shrugged. Awkward. She gasped. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop… where’s a good place to buy a cigar?”
“Did you check on the screen in front of you?” he asked the woman, but slanted Roxie a glance. She read between the lines… Stefano wanted to use the opportunity to inquiry about his system.
“Yes, but it only lists the options. It’s different than a suggestion,” she said, her face still flustered.
“Oh you mean it’s better to get a recommendation from someone who knows the area instead of a machine?” Roxie said, but doubted the tourist picked up on her teasing tone. “Interesting. I’ll help you.”
“I’ll be happy to help. Since I’m actually Cuban,” Stefano butted in, talking to the woman but gazing at Roxie. In a way that made her feel like she belonged in his arms, even though she didn’t.
Chapter 7
Stefano’s smartphone buzzed in his pocket. The tour neared the end, and he had taken notes of the tweaks they would need to implement to launch the new business model successfully. Ever since he’d declared his desire for her at Calle Ocho two hours ago, Roxie had gone out of her way to avoid him.
He guaranteed if she could just sit somewhere else, she would. He bit back a smile; yet, she sat next to him, with her headset on, scribbling in her notebook. A meeting to go over those ideas was in order, and another one to talk to the rest of the team.
Ryder’s name displayed on screen.
“Hey man,” he said. “What’s up?”
“Stefano, I have some bad news…” he heard a sigh from the other end of the line. “I just got a text from Rayne. John is in a coma.”
A chill spread through his bloodstream. His pulse spiked. “What?”
“He’s been in a coma for a couple of days.” His friend breathed hard into the phone. “He had a stroke. Still in Montana.”
Stefano swallowed the dryness in his throat. “Man.”
“I’m seeing him tomorrow. Are you coming?”
Shit. “I’ll let you know.”
“Okay but don’t wait forever. He might not have forever.”
“I’ll… see what I can do.” He put his phone back in his pocket, the truth dawning on him. John wouldn’t be around for much longer. He had to be in his seventies. All those years, he had cherished the memories John had provided him, but his own stupid mindset to move forward kept him from visiting. He’d told himself a thousand times he would visit John, but somehow he’d never gotten around to coming through.
“What happened? You’re pale,” she asked, taking off her headset and turning to face him.
“I just got some bad news.”
She leaned into him, her face tightening with concern. “Tell me.”
Where to start? He contemplated her emerald eyes, seeking for either serenity or heat to distract him from the truth. He found neither. “Someone who means a lot to me is in a coma.”
She tilted her head to the side. “Oh no, I’m so sorry. Is it someone from your family?”
He shook his head. His mother was alive and well, on her third marriage. And his father, thanks to him, couldn’t complain either. They had spent several years apart when his mom decided to illegally immigrate to the United States, but thankfully after becoming an adult and successful, he’d been able to get to know his dad again.
He closed his eyes for a moment, but the darkness behind his lids didn’t soothe him. Small circles flickered, a clear sign his stress levels were on the edge. “John Stone ran the delinquent boys ranch they sent to after I beat up Donny. My mom thought I needed some straightening up, and my stepfather back then researched a ranch as far from them as possible. That’s why I went to Montana.”
She reached for his hand, and gave it a light squeeze. The touch sent a jolt of relief through him, and he cursed himself inwardly for giving her so much credit. Roxie had the power to change his mood. “He was a tough old man. Caring. He taught me how to control my temper and channel my energy into work.”
“Sounds like he was just what you needed.”
“I don’t know how I would have turned out if it weren’t for John,” he said, and looked out the window, without really paying attention to anything. The flow of traffic became a big blur, and the colors of the cars on the road flashed in his eyes even though the bus kept a steady pace. The muscles of his face hardened, and the warmth returned again, and he had to make a fucking effort not to lose it in front of Roxie.
She gave his hand another squeeze, prompting him to face her again. “When are you leaving?”
He cleared his throat, shoving down the lump of fear. “I don’t know. I’ve gone forward in life. I’m not used to going back.”
She disengaged her hand from him, but compassion still flickered in her eyes. “Sometimes you have to.”
“I know. It’s just… flying back to Montana and visiting him would bring up a lot of things I buried for so long. People and places. Memories. I spent six months at Saddle Creek Ranch.”
“Did they suck?”
He bit back a smile. “No, they were great.” It was the reasons that landed him at the ranch he didn’t want to deal with. Because he had gott
en over them. His mother had divorced, remarried again, and never had he brought up the fact he hated her as a teen for taking him away from his father. That caused him to have some suppressed anger. Now he didn’t have that problem anymore, why mess with it? Or relive it?
“Then you’re a douche if you don’t go back to say good-bye to the man who helped you in such a big way.”
“I’m not a douche.”
She lifted an eyebrow, tilting her head to the side. “Prove it.”
He frowned. I hate when she has a point. “You do know you’re annoying as hell, right?”
She waved him off. “Stop flattering me. Tell me you’re going.”
Of course he wanted to go. But visiting someone on the verge of dying—someone who would take from him what Stefano preferred to bury—would be beyond hard. “Why do you care?”
“If you go visit him, it won’t be the same as it was when you went to the ranch. You’ve changed. And trust me, I’m not one to like changes in general. I just don’t want you to miss this opportunity to say goodbye because you’re scared.”
He clenched his jaw. “I’m not fucking scared.”
She grinned. “Good.” Then go. He read between the lines.
He sucked in a breath. Going would suck in so many ways. Sure, Ryder would be there… but it’s not like he wanted to have heart-to-hearts with his buddy. In fact, seeing both Ryder and John at the same weekend would bring even more memories and anguish. Unless… he had some distraction. His jaw clenched. “I’m going. But you’re coming with me.”
Her eyes shot up her hairline. “What? Wait. What? No.”
“Yes. It only makes sense. We have to compare our notes about the tours and come up with a successful middle ground. Don’t you think I’ve seen you scribbling all day long? If we can get to a consensus during this weekend, you and I, we’ll be a stronger team to break the news for everyone next week.”
She tapped her pen on the notepad, entertaining the idea for a moment. Then she blinked and shook her head. “I can’t just take off and leave. I have a son—
“He can join us.”
“No, then we won’t have a moment to talk. My parents can watch him.”
His heart flipped on his chest like a dolphin in the ocean. “So you’re coming?”
She squared her shoulders. “Yes. I’ll call it a business trip.”
With some pleasure thrown in. He hoped. “Great.”
***
“Are you all packed?” her mother, Katherine, asked.
She studied the small suitcase at the corner of the living room. Fear crept under her skin and lodged at the base of her throat. In one hour, Stefano Mercado would pick her up so they could ride to the airport and fly to Montana. “Yes.”
“Is Stefano still handsome?” Katherine fixed her short bob, taking a look at the round mirror on the hallway.
“I guess.”
“You haven’t paid attention?”
Roxie swept the sweat off her forehead. Of course she had. Any woman with a pulse and two eyes would melt her panties at the sight of Stefano—a hotter William Levy, if that was possible. “This is a business trip, Mom.” She repeated the mantra she’d been chanting to herself silently since the day before, when she’d foolishly agreed to go on this trip.
“Yes. You’re definitely dressed for business. Did you borrow this little number from the set of Working Girl?” her mother pointed at the gray suit jacket she revived from the back of her closet, and paired with an equal lame gray pants. Because she knew they would fly, she decided on wearing tennis shoes instead of heels. Why underestimate comfort?
Roxie opened her arms and glanced down at her clothes. Maybe I overdid it. She’d been so worried figuring out what to take. She had no time or spare money to go shopping, even though she doubted she’d attend fancy diners or anything. They’d fly into Billings tonight. “Is it obvious?”
Her mother gave her a smile that creased her mouth. “You like him, don’t you?”
“What? I like him the same way I like getting pap smears done. Or being stood up. Or having to pee really bad when I’m in a really long line.”
“Roxanne Jean Sullivan… I’m your mother. You can’t lie to me.”
I can try. “He’s just not the type who hangs around, Mom. After he nails this thing here, he’ll be implementing this technology in other parts of the country. He’s not living in Miami full time. I don’t need a part-time boyfriend. Someone who’s not there for me when the going gets tough.”
Katherine grabbed the vase in the console table, contemplating the flowers Roxie still had from him. “He didn’t run when Adam had lice.”
“How do you know?”
Her mother took the vase to the kitchen, and Roxie heard the sound of the water running down the sink. “Adam told me someone named Steph played with him.”
Roxie leaned on the threshold. “I’m worried about leaving you two together for a weekend.”
“As you should.”
Roxie glanced at her son, who played on his tablet. She had explained she’d be out of town for a brief time, and he’d reacted positively. But would he scream his head off when she actually left? Her heart squeezed.
The doorbell rang, and she jumped, her pulse spiking. “Oh no. He’s early.” Did he want to give her a heart attack? She wasn’t prepared to see him any sooner than agreed upon. Roxie fanned herself.
Katherine gave her a mocking smile and gestured toward the door. “Go get the door, dear.”
She followed her mother’s orders, for once, and smoothed her hands over her outfit. When she opened the door, her breath caught in her throat. Daaamn.
He had on a black buttoned shirt, and a pair of jeans. The man looked good enough to fuck. His hair was still damp, and when he leaned to plant a peak on her cheek, she stiffened. A familiar tingle sneakily ignited through her.
“Stefano. I didn’t expect you here for another hour.” She let her gaze trail down his strong biceps, and long arms when she realized he carried a gift in one hand. It was rather large, in red wrapping paper. “And by the way, you didn’t have to buy me anything.”
“I didn’t. This is for Adam,” he said, and without her invitation, walked into her home without formalities. “That’s why I’m early. I thought I could give this to him before we go.”
She stepped back, blushing, and toyed with the tip of her hair. What she really wanted was to bury her head like an ostrich. “Of course. So sweet.”
On cue, Adam tossed his tablet on the sofa and ran to the door. He also ran into Stefano’s arms like he was his daycare teacher or something. Best not to read too much into it. Her son often hugged the pizza delivery person.
Yet, the oxygen disappeared from the room for an instant. Unwilling to spoil the moment, she kept quiet, and peered at her mom, who showed up with one of those I-told-you-so looks on her pretty face. Well, of course Adam liked Stefano. The man oozed charisma. And played Legos like a champ. So what?
She cleared her throat. Time to take back control of the situation. “Honey, I think Stefano brought you a gift, make sure you thank him.”
Adam squealed. “A gift? For me?” He rubbed his hands together, and Stefano handed him the box. A millisecond later, her boy had managed to shred the pretty paper to pieces. Yup. That was her son.
“How cool,” her mother said, placing the vase back on the table. “A car.”
“With a remote control, Nanna. Cool.”
“Your mom is going away on a trip. I thought you could use this to have some fun while she’s out,” Stefano said.
“Thank you, you’re… very kind,” Roxie said. “Stefano, you remember my mom, right?”
“Of course. Great to see you again, Mrs. Sullivan.” He stretched out his hand.
“Same here. It’s been a while. I’m glad things turned out so well for you,” her mother said, her voice more musical than usual. If they ever needed a middle-aged woman to play Blanche Du Bois on a school play, they should definitely
speed dial Katherine.
“Thank you. They also turned out great for your daughter. Adam is an amazing kid,” Stefano said, and gave Roxie a lingering glance.
His compliment tore down a wall she tried so hard to keep up. Because, despite how he viewed himself, he was nice. And kind. And fair, for the most part.
He could have used his corporate shark ways to just takeover the company and forgo Luther’s wishes. Hell, a man with his banking account didn’t need permission from anyone to do pretty much anything. Yet, he was really trying to keep his mind open while doing the best for the company—financially and for the employees.
“Thanks.” She broke his stare and glanced at the floor. She found herself shuffling her weight from foot to foot, unsure. God, what a bad feeling.
“Here, buddy, let me show you how this works.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could utter a sound, Stefano bent to his knees and helping an excited Adam to open the box and test-drive the car. Her mother went to the kitchen to grab more coffee and offered some to Stefano, who accepted it.
Dang it. This wasn’t supposed to be a family gathering. It wasn’t fair to Adam to meet someone who wouldn’t stick around, or to her mother was now fumbling inside the pantry for some cookies to serve with coffee. And it certainly wasn’t fair for her to watch the entire scene with a pathetic, hopeful smile on her face.
Chapter 8
“Visitation time is over?” Stefano asked, when he reached the nurse in charge at Saddle Creek Mercy General. “When does it start again?”
“Tomorrow morning at 8:00 am, sir,” she said at the other end of the line.
“Okay. Thanks.” He hung up and slid the phone into his pocket.
He contemplated Roxie, who sat next to him in the rental car. It had been her suggestion to call the hospital while they drove into Saddle Creek, and now he’d been happy she had. This way they could head straight to Saddle Creek Inn and check-in.