“Rest, amor. I’ll sit here until you fall asleep.”
Lynette rested her head upon his down pillows and slid the soft sheets across her body until she was fully covered. She rolled onto her side and faced him. Her damp eyes glistened in the moonlight. Victor recalled the first time he gazed into her eyes. He was lost in them then and found himself lost again. He drifted toward the bed and her pleading eyes.
She lifted the sheet and welcomed his body beside her. Within seconds, he nestled in her sweet warmth. Victor was helpless and so afraid of making a mistake. Lynette snuggled closer. Her silken hair brushed against his chest. His entire body responded. He surrendered and claimed her lips. Soon after he seized the rest of her.
Still aroused from their love marathon Victor reached across the bed for Lynette. She left the bed and gazed at the beach from the same window that dressed her in moonlight on a night he never wanted to forget. She rubbed her arms as she always did when she had something on her mind. She wasn’t alone; they had their daughter to worry about. During Lynette’s rant, Victor learned that Torri stopped talking to her after she learned of the affair.
Lynette turned from the window. Her arms remained folded across her chest. Her cheeks were damp. He wished he followed his good instincts and slept on the sofa. He slid into his shorts and strolled toward Lynette.
He drew her into his arms. “Mi corazon, is everything all right?”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest for a moment. She breathed slow and deep. “Everything is wonderful...was wonderful. Last night was incredible.”
“Why the tears, Lynnie?”
“You didn’t tell me you were coming to New York so I could prepare Torri — so I could prepare myself.”
“I spared myself your rejection. You didn’t want anything to do with me. I needed to see my daughter.” Victor sat on the arm of the large chair.
Lynette sank into the same armchair and peered up at him. “Why now?”
Cell phones had a habit of interrupting pivotal moments. It wasn’t even 9:00 in the morning. He rarely received calls that early on the weekends.
“I better get this.” He answered and left the bedroom as he spoke.
Lynette felt like a complete idiot. She jumped on the last flight out of New York to San Juan, rented a car and drove straight to the address Victor left her in New York. She never considered he may be married or living with someone. She was on a mission to straighten out her life and restore her relationship with Torri.
Victor was still the sweet gentleman she remembered. He refused to let her go to her hotel. She smiled. Making love to him was the furthest thing from her mind. Until he held her. It was natural. Inevitable. In fact, Victor was the last man she’d slept with.
Lynette basked in the evening’s splendor and on the edge of forgiveness until the phone call spoiled the moment. A wake up call, in a sense. It was apparent when Victor left the room that someone special called. Her hormones clouded her judgment, once again. Victor wasn’t hers alone and he would never be.
“I’m going to shower.” He tossed his cell on the bed. “I have to step out. I won’t be long. Make yourself at home.” He kissed Lynette on the forehead.
He slipped out of his shorts and padded to the bathroom without looking back.
“Jay, I can leave. I’ve already imposed myself on you. I don’t want to cause problems for you.”
Victor laughed loud and hard. “You think I was on the phone with a woman.”
Lynette pouted, hands on her hips. “You left the room for privacy.”
“True, but I had a good reason.” Victor rubbed the back of his neck. “It was our daughter.” Victor’s eyes locked on Lynette before he continued. “She’s here. In Isla Verde.”
“What?” Lynette dropped back into the arm chair. “Are you bringing her here?” She failed to control the tremble in her voice.
“No. No. At least not today. I’m picking her up from the airport and taking her to her hotel. There was a mix up with her rental car.”
Lynette paced and wrung her hands. She couldn’t imagine Cliff shared her location with his sister. Then again she couldn’t blame him. Cliff kept his mother’s secret long enough. However, Lynette wasn’t ready to face Torri. She hoped her daughter’s arrival in Puerto Rico was pure coincidence and that she wouldn’t find out that Lynette was only forty minutes away in Santa Cruz with her father. That was sure to add another hurdle on their already complicated road toward reconciliation.
“Wait. You should know I kept all the letters you sent. I gave them to Torri two weeks ago.”
He ignored her. She knew Victor tried his best to bond with their daughter long distance and she prevented that. He went to his dresser and removed a clean set of boxers and a white T-shirt. “By the way, what hotel are you staying in? If you’re trying to avoid Torri you may want to change hotels.”
She lowered her head and cleared her throat. “I drove here straight from the airport. I never checked into a hotel. I never made reservations.”
“Well, you certainly were on a mission. Stay here as long as you like. There’s an extra key hanging in the kitchen.”
“Thank you.” Lynette exhaled.
Victor kissed Lynette and sucked her bottom lip into his mouth before he retreated to the bathroom. “I want you here when I get back.”
The kiss somewhat soothed Lynette. Torri flew to Puerto Rico unannounced, and she was about to meet her father for the first time. She prayed the moment Victor waited years for went well.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Torri rustled the piece of paper in her hand. She lingered near the baggage claim area for at least thirty minutes before she worked up the courage to call the number Victor left for her at the hotel in Brooklyn. An unexpected rush of comfort coursed through Torri once she heard Victor’s warm accented baritone voice. She imagined from the lift in his voice after she said her name that Victor was thrilled to hear from her. While Torri wasn’t exactly sure how she felt, the tender moment made her smile.
Another thirty minutes passed since she made the call. Victor said it wouldn’t take him longer than that to get to her. She finally collected her luggage and camera bag. After a cup of coffee, she stepped outside the terminal to stretch her legs. According to the weather app on her phone, it already reached eight-four degrees. The oppressing humidity snatched her breath. The hair on her scalp tightened. She was glad she packed her trusty hair products.
Torri hoped her father wouldn’t notice her frizzy hair. She wouldn’t have stressed about it, except it was important for her to make a good first impression. She wanted him to see that her mother raised a beautiful, successful woman. Torri needed to display that she and her mother survived just fine without him. Granted, she missed not having a father in her life, but she didn’t want him to know that. Secretly, Torri wished meeting Victor and getting to know him would make her whole again.
A blue metallic Toyota Yaris pulled up near Torri. Their eyes connected before he stepped out onto the pavement. She glanced at the thirty-plus-year-old photo in her hand and looked toward the driver once again. Torri quickly blinked away the tears that threatened to fall. She inhaled through her nose and our through her mouth until her heart beat at a normal pace. Victor was tall and quite handsome. Torri admired his tousled curly afro and the sparkle in his hazel eyes when he removed his sunglasses. He reminded her of Maxwell. Victor appeared to be taking mental snapshots of her before he moved from the car. He smiled and deep dimples formed in his cheeks. She added that to the list of things they had in common.
“Hola. Welcome to Puerto Rico.”
He didn’t hesitate to kiss Torri on her cheek when he removed the luggage from her grasp. She froze. It was like ripping off a band-aid, get it over with quickly and maybe it won’t be so bad.
“Is this everything, Victoria?�
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Torri nodded. She hadn’t been called Victoria since elementary school. She liked the way her full name rolled off his tongue. He smelled good, too. Torri always imagined that was how a father was supposed to smell. Like the calm in the air before and after the storm. Victor placed her bags in the trunk and opened the passenger door. She slid into the air-conditioned car and breathed in his comforting scent again.
“Have you eaten? They don’t feed you on flights like they used to.”
Torri smiled. His baritone voice was even nicer in person.
“I brought fruit along for the flight.”
“Well, I’m sure that was a while ago. We can stop for breakfast before we get to your hotel?”
“No, thank you. I’m eager to get settled in. It’s been a long morning.”
Her heart thumped out of control. Torri wasn’t ready to break bread with him. She wasn’t even sure if she could stomach anything.
“I’m happy you came.”
Although her father tried his best to make her comfortable, she couldn’t say the same, just yet. Anxiety overshadowed all other emotions that swirled within her.
Victor cleared his throat. “Where are you staying again?”
“The Ritz-Carlton. I hope it’s as inviting as the pictures on the website.”
Victor whistled. “Very nice choice. You won’t be disappointed.”
Suddenly, the car felt like a box. She barely felt the cool air blowing on her body. The “honeymoon” phase wore off. What do you say to the man you learned not long ago is your father? Torri never planned how the conversation would start. She just bought her ticket and jumped on the plane. Torri stayed silent and stared at the traffic. Victor, apparently used to it, maneuvered without an issue.
For the first time, Victor appreciated the traffic on the road because it awarded him extra time with his daughter. Victor glanced at his Victoria. He felt blessed to have Torri and her mother in Puerto Rico at the same time. He didn’t know what changed Torri’s mind about meeting him and it didn’t matter. He had his chance to get to know her before it was too late.
“Is this your first time in Puerto Rico?”
“No.” She kept her eyes forward.
He tried his best to relax her but she sat in the passenger seat stiff as a Barbie doll. He just hoped she couldn’t tell he was nervous, too. His fingers tightened around the steering wheel to prevent his wet palms from slipping any further. A lump lodged in Victor’s throat. He swallowed deeply to clear it. Victor didn’t care why she came, he was just overjoyed that she did.
A taxi cut in front of them. If Torri wasn’t in the car, Victor would’ve screamed a few unpleasant words at the driver. He laughed to himself. He didn’t want his daughter to think he possessed a nasty Puerto Rican temper. Torri seemed unbothered and continued to watch the road ahead. It was clear he’d have to lead the conversation.
“How long did you plan to stay?”
Motionless, Torri responded. “Ten days. I was overdue for a vacation.”
“Who’s taking care of your gallery?”
“My assistant, Odetta.” Torri smiled. “Thank you for asking.”
Warmth filled Victor. He earned a smile and an adorable one it was. He was sure she fought men off left and right. He admired his trademark dimples on her face. Victor didn’t think it was possible but Torri was far prettier than her mother. He abandoned fretting about the years that passed without her in his life and embraced the moment before him. Victor planned to rearrange his schedule to free up time for Torri — and her mother’s surprise visit. What an interesting situation to be in.
Torri looked like she’d appreciate some extra time to settle in. That gave him the opportunity to let his family know that his princesa was in town. It would be tough keeping his mother from charging over to the Ritz-Carlton to meet her granddaughter. He needed to prepare himself for his mother’s wrath for even allowing Torri to stay in a hotel, even if it was the Ritz.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay with me? I have plenty of room.”
“Thank you. I’ll be comfortable at the hotel. Besides, I love the beach. The ocean air will relax me.”
“There’s no expiration date on the offer. You’re free to change your mind over the next ten days.”
The remainder of the ride was a quiet, yet a satisfying one for Victor. The attendant at the hotel helped Torri with her bags. It was a lovely hotel. It sat directly on the beach; exactly what Torri wanted. She was surrounded by great food and exciting nightlife. Regardless, he preferred that she spent her time at his home.
Torri wasn’t as stiff when she got out of the car. Victor was pleased she managed to relax. He longed to hug her, but he wouldn’t push his luck. Victor kept it at a kiss on her cheek. He was fortunate she accepted that.
“I’ll pick you up for dinner at 6:00 this evening.”
Torri held her stomach as she watched her father drive away. When the car disappeared among the palm trees and from her sight, Torri turned and strolled into the hotel. An enormous tropical floral display in the center of the lobby along with the colorful language of the hotel employees was another reminder that she was far from home. It’d been quite a few years since her last vacation. Yet, this unplanned visit couldn’t be described as “business or pleasure.” Complicated and awkward seemed to fit best. She glanced around the lobby. A floor-to-ceiling window framed a charming view of the garden and the pool area. The brilliant gold tones, teal details, and eye-catching sculptures seemed designed to fulfill the desires of any guest that entered.
A woman with long dark hair, dressed in an attractive blue suit seated behind an impressive marble desk assisted Torri with her check-in. She collected her room key and paused by a large glass dispenser for a cup of citrus flavored water. The anxiety-filled morning dried Torri’s throat. Refreshed after a few sips, Torri accompanied a young man carrying her luggage into the elevator. For a brief moment, her thoughts shifted to Antonio for the first time since she’d arrived as they rose to the sixth floor.
“Is this your first time here?” He asked in perfect English.
Torri nodded in response and hoped he didn’t find her rude. She wasn’t up for conversation. Her thoughts stayed on her father and the load of questions he had to answer before she would open her heart to him; if at all. She knew her visit to Puerto Rico surprised Victor, especially since she ignored him when he popped up in New York. However, curiosity led her Brooklyn to catch a glimpse of him at his hotel. When the hotel attendant handed her an envelope when she asked for Victor’s room, she knew that she missed him.
Visiting him in Puerto Rico made sense but, she wondered if he expected her to run into his arms because he finally decided to play “daddy” after thirty years. He played hooky from helping her cram for finals, cheering at her recitals, father — daughter dances, even the first time she picked up a camera — her first love. A father is supposed to be a girl’s first love. She desperately wanted to feel an instant connection when she saw him. Her chest tightened.
Finally inside her room, Torri gazed out the window into the clear blue water below. Waves teased the shoreline before they retreated back into the sea. Palm trees adorned the white sand sprinkled with a few tourists. Torri’s hands shook and she placed her drink on a nightstand. She let out a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut. She breathed in for a trace of Victor’s comforting scent. Against her will, tears streamed from Torri’s eyes followed by a gut-wrenching sob. She dropped into the armchair near the window and released the pain, the anger, the disappointment, the fear and the excitement she stashed away since she learned about her father.
Engulfed in tears and what ifs, Torri struggled to catch her breath. While her natural inclination was to call her mother, Torri wasn’t ready to reconcile with her yet. It would only muddle her focus. Torri had to sort out things with Victor sans her mother’s influence
. She stood and moved toward the balcony. She shoved the door open and breathed in some fresh air. A soft breeze taunted her sticky skin just as her tears eased to a stop. The splash of the waves and salty air summoned her. In that moment, everything about the beach reminded her of Antonio and how much she missed him.
The waves continued to splash against the shore. Excitement rose within Torri. She had several hours to spare before dinner with her father. Swimming had always relaxed Torri. The velvety feel of water against Torri’s skin calmed her spirit leaving her renewed and refocused. Without another thought or tear she changed into her bathing suit and headed to the beach.
Humidity invaded the car within a few short minutes after Victor shut off the ignition. The keys, dangling in his hand, jingled as he wiped beads of sweat from his forehead. Victor needed some time to decompress before he walked toward his house. He reclined his seat and with his arms crossed he gazed out the sunroof above him. His heart pounded as he replayed meeting and speaking with his daughter for the first time. The sweetness of her voice resonated in his ears like melodious birds singing praises for another day. Her soft brown eyes sparkled in the sunlight. Her dark curls flowed along the length of her back. He could have stared at her for hours. Victor wanted to hold on to Torri just to make sure she was real. It was smart to take things slow. Traveling to Puerto Rico to meet him couldn’t have been an easy decision for her. He was just grateful she did. It was what he prayed for.
The stars were in his favor. He didn’t know how long it would last, but he planned to enjoy it as long as he could. An added bonus was his Lynnie waited inside for him. He never imagined having her in his arms again. After all, their years apart were his fault. Lynette was a married woman and pregnant with his child and instead of fighting harder for her, he moved on and started a family in Puerto Rico. Ashamed to admit it, Victor was reluctant to compete with her marriage and gave up long before she did. If he held on a little longer, Lynette would’ve been his and Torri would’ve had the father she deserved.
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