“What's mine is yours. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. Y'all are safe here, okay?”
I give him a big smile again, not being able to hide my blush. What is it about a man with a southern drawl?
“Right, yeah. Thank you.”
He walks out, closing the door behind him and I exhale, laying Peter in bed, kissing his cheek before pulling the blanket up to his chin. Such a sweet boy, bred from such a reckless circumstance. Never again though, I'll never go back to that Alessandra. This is the start of a new life; I'll never look back.
Miguel
I close the door to the bedroom and take a deep breath.
Beautiful.
My fucking God that woman is gorgeous.
When I spoke to her on the phone at the club, her voice was sexy. A deep, raspy sound that dripped sensuality. I figured she was one of those washed up hookers with fake tits and gallons of makeup to hide their age, but Alessandra Thompson was the opposite. She looked so damn young and fragile and picturing her having sex with men for money made me sick. Jealousy and destruction ripped through my veins and I stomped towards the kitchen to make myself a protein shake.
I briefly let myself wonder about her. Why did she start doing that? Why was it so easy for her to just pick up and leave Florida? Where's Peter's dad? Was it one of her clients? Was she happy to leave to get away from him? My mind races as I pour all the ingredients to my shake in the blender and turn it on. I kick myself in the ass because Peter is sleeping, and I probably just woke him up.
“Shit,” I whisper shutting the blender.
“He can sleep through a hurricane, you can turn it back on,” Alessandra says from behind me with a laugh.
“I'm sorry. I'm not used to sharin’ my space, especially with a kid. It might take a little while for me to adjust.”
“I get it, don't worry. I appreciate all of this, Miguel. I'll find a way to pay you back, I swear.”
She walks over to the counter and hops up next to me. Close, so fucking close.
I clear my throat and go back to the blender.
“No need. It's sort of my job so...it's okay.”
I turn the blender back on, ignoring the heat coming off her body. She changed into shorts and a t-shirt, her legs tan and toned. Her hair is now in a ponytail and I can get a better look at her face. She looks so...youthful. I let my gaze roam over her body and damn that's not the body of a young girl, that’s the body of a woman. My eyes land on hers as her brows furrow and I shut the blender.
“That...that was. I'm sorry about that. I'm not used to sharin’ my space with beautiful women either,” I grumble.
“I...t-thank you, I guess,” Alessandra stutters.
“I'm not lookin’ for a girlfriend,” I blurt out.
What the fuck am I saying?
“Well good, I'm not looking for a boyfriend,” she says crossing her arms over her chest.
“Do you want a taste?” I ask arching an eyebrow, trying to change the subject.
“W-what? You just said you-”
“The shake. Do you want a taste of the shake I made?” I say interrupting her stuttering.
God, living with her is gonna be harder than I thought, literally.
“S-sure, yeah, I'd love some. Thank you.”
I pour us both a glass and we sip it in silence, neither one of us even looking up at each other. I think back to the last time I got laid and truthfully can't remember.
Carmen! One of my regulars down at the gym. We went out for drinks after a session and I ended up stumbling back to her place. That was a solid six months ago, what the hell have I been doing?
“Miguel?”
I turn and see Alessandra staring at me and shake my head.
“Sorry, what was that?”
“I asked how you know Nico.”
“Right, well my sister is engaged to Lacey's cousin. Kind of family I guess, through marriage and whatever.”
“Do you have any more siblings?”
“No, just Normani. She's my half-sister. Our father had an affair with my mom. He's uh...he was a piece of shit truthfully, but he gave us each other I guess you can say. At least he did one thing right.”
She nods silently and I lean against the counter crossing my arms over my chest.
“What ‘bout you? Any siblings?”
“No,” she says quickly. “It was just me and my mom, I didn't know my father. I don't think my mom even knew who he was either.”
I furrow my brows.
“Was she a...did she…”
“Did I follow in her footsteps?”
“I...I didn't mean it like that.”
“It's fine, but I don't know. There were always guys in and out of our apartment, who knows if she was getting paid or was just a hussy. She's dead now, can't even ask her.”
The hardness to her tone but the emotion trying to seep through is so obvious. I close my eyes to chastise myself for even asking that fucking question and making her relive something so sad.
She is not just your everyday woman, Miguel. Tread lightly with her.
“Alessandra, I'm so sorry.”
“Don't be. She did it to herself. She overdosed two days before my High School graduation.”
“Shit,” I mumble.
“When…”, she clears her throat. “When she was sober, she was amazing. We had so much fun together but then something would change. I could see her gaze turning over to the addiction and she'd be gone for 3 or 4 days. Sometimes she would physically still be in the house but mentally not, other times completely gone, and I didn't even know if she would ever come back. She always did though, would stay clean for a couple days then did it all over again.”
She stares at something on the wall and I watch her worry her bottom lip between her teeth.
“I'm sorry you had to go through that. Addiction tears people apart, it's not fair she did that to you.”
Her gaze snaps up to mine and she nods slowly.
“I should...I’m gonna hop in the shower if you don't mind,” she says quickly getting to her feet.
She washes her cup out in the sink and I walk to her, taking it from her hand. I see her wipe at her eyes, and she turns her body away from me.
“I've got this. Go ahead and take a shower. Will Peter sleep for a little while?”
“Y-yeah he should sleep for about an hour. I'll be quick. Thank you Miguel.”
She doesn't turn back towards me, just heads straight to the bathroom and shuts the door behind her.
My body is trying to pull me to her, comfort her, make sure she is okay. After only knowing her for five minutes, I want her. I want to shield her away from this fucked up world. My mind always does this, needs to protect, make people feel better, keep them safe and happy. Alessandra is no different. That woman is so broken and my heart is fighting with my body to piece her back together again. I can see it though, as broken as she is, she doesn't want my help. She'll take one of those broken pieces and cut me with it.
---
When Alessandra gets out of the shower, Peter is still sleeping and I can see the sadness still in her eyes as she walks into the kitchen.
“Have you ever ridden in a convertible before?” I ask.
“No,” she answers with a confused smile.
“So, I kind of have this car obsession. I restored an old 1973 Cadillac Eldorado. It rides smooth and the road down Main Street should be clear now, I can take y'all on a little tour. We could buckle Peter's seat in the back? I won't go too fast.”
Her smile widens and she nods.
“Okay, that sounds fun. He should be waking up soon anyway,” she says getting to her feet.
“It's out in the garage, I'll start it up and bring it to the front. You need help with him?”
“I got it,” she says giving me a breathtaking smile.
This smile reaches her eyes and it's the first time I've seen it and damn if it isn't the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life.
&nb
sp; She walks down the hall and I hop off the counter, opening the closet door for the keys and walk downstairs towards the garage, grabbing Peter's car seat.
The engine roars to life and I smile, pride overtaking me. I remember buying this with Rico, how pumped he was when we finally finished it and his first words were, “Now let’s go pick up some mamacitas”. I laugh at the memory and my heart stings a little, the ache that's always there when I drive this car. I rarely drive it, but for some reason today it called to me.
I pull to the front of the studio and get out, walking towards the side entrance. Alessandra descends holding Peter and his head immediately perks up when he sees me.
“We're gonna go for a ride in Miguel's car buddy,” Alessandra soothes.
He nods, eyeing me and I give him a big smile.
“You ready for a ride, bud?”
He nods shyly and Alessandra walks towards the backseat and I open the door for her as she buckles Peter in. She moves to sit in the front and I shut the door then walk around the other side.
“Alright, we're gonna head down Main Street. Whatever you need it'll be there. If you need any of the big box stores, you're gonna have to go into the city but for the most part, it'll be here.”
“Is there a pediatrician nearby? Peter is due for a checkup soon,” she asks.
“I'll ask Damon who they bring the twins to.”
I gun the engine a little harder, going a little bit faster and Alessandra throws her head back and laughs, her blonde hair flowing around her face.
“Oh my God this is so fun! I would drive this car all the time!”
I laugh at her playful tone as she lifts her arms up like she's on a roller coaster.
“Woooooo,” she laughs then turns to look at Peter.
“Fun bud?”
“Fun Mama!” He yells with a cute little giggle.
I look in the rear-view mirror and his smile takes up his face, his chubby little cheeks are pink as his giggle warms a spot in my heart I swore was dead.
We come to a red light and Alessandra leans back against the headrest letting out a breath and turning her head towards me.
“I needed this,” she says softly. “Thank you.”
“Just wanna make sure y'all feel comfortable. I'll show you the best deli in town and we can grab some sandwiches to bring back home. That okay?”
“Sure!”
The light turns green and I rev the car forward as she laughs again, the look in her eyes contagious and the smile on her face inspiring. Something is happening and I don't think I can stop it. It scares the ever living shit out of me but at the same time, I want it. I want whatever this feeling is to stay.
Chapter 2
Alessandra
It's been a week since we've moved in and Miguel has been pretty absent. Working late down at the gym or out, probably at the station. I still don't really know what he does, but I'm getting restless. Restlessness isn't good for me and boredom sure isn't good for me either. Peter and I watch movies, play games, cook but I'm ready to venture out.
Nico texted that I can start at Double Play in two weeks so I'm really looking forward to getting out and making money in a way that I can be proud of.
I feel terrible about Nico paying off the rest of my debt and Miguel letting us stay here rent free. I don't like the idea that either of them can come back and collect what they've generously given. Bad memories try to invade but I push them back. I want to be on my feet, providing for Peter on my own without anyone's help. The new Alessandra is capable of doing that.
Trying to go back to sleep isn't an option so I go into the kitchen and open the fridge, pouring myself a glass of orange juice and drinking it down quickly. Miguel's bedroom door is open, but he's gone as usual. Peter is still sleeping as I open the door to the gym downstairs and slowly walk down, hearing grunting and pounding.
I sit on the top step and watch as Miguel hits the bag, light on his feet as he slides left and right, ducking and punching, never slowing down. I move down another step and pretty soon I realize I'm at the bottom, leaning against the door frame.
His tank top is dark grey from sweat, his hair wet and sticking to his neck. He stops punching, reaching for the hem of his shirt and pulls it off, wiping his face with it and then tossing it to the side.
His back is broad and muscular, cut beyond belief, and his waist trim. I watch his back, each punch causing his muscles to constrict then release. His grunts get louder as he punches harder and I lose my balance against the door frame, leaning too far and knocking over the coat rack.
“Shit!” I mumble.
I look up and Miguel is staring at me, his bare chest lifting and falling with ragged breaths.
“I...I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to...I was...do you want breakfast? Or did you eat or-”
He laughs, cutting off my rant as he takes off one glove then the other.
“You scared the shit out of me, I almost punched you. I don't have a problem with an audience just make your presence known next time.”
“I wasn't...I wasn't watching you,” I say shaking my head.
“Sure you weren't,” he smirks. “I'll take some breakfast. I'm a shit cook so I usually just grab a protein bar.”
“I'm a great cook. I can make some omelets. Peter is on an egg white kick. I'm trying to ride out the wave for as long as possible,” I laugh.
“Sure. Let me grab a shower.”
He tosses his gloves on the floor and picks up his shirt as he motions for me to head towards the stairs.
“This may be oversteppin', but where's Peter's dad?” he asks from behind me.
“He...he's back in Florida. He's not...he was never involved.”
“Was it a boyfriend?” Miguel asks.
I can hear the question he really wants to ask. Was it one of the many men I slept with or was it someone that actually meant something to me? I confided in him the first night way more than I ever have with anyone else before. I opened that door and I can't blame him for being curious.
“Yes, it was a boyfriend. I only started my...career...after Peter was born.”
“I didn't mean-”
“Yes, you did,” I say cutting him off. “But it's fine. It was a valid question.”
“I'm sorry, Alessandra. I didn't mean to pry.”
“It's fine, Miguel, really. I'm not offended.”
“I have a sister. When you say it's fine, I know that means it's anything but fine,” he says giving me a small smile as he walks towards the bathroom.
I laugh and walk to the kitchen, rummaging around, getting ingredients for an omelet and go to work as I try to ignore the sound of Miguel in the shower.
A knock on the door from the gym startles me and I walk towards it, checking the peephole. It's a woman and I let out a sigh of relief. I open the door and realize I never asked Miguel if he had a girlfriend. I could be crashing his bachelor pad and ruining another relationship just like I did with Nico and Lacey and my stomach drops when I see her belly, her very pregnant belly.
“Hi,” the woman says with a raised eyebrow.
“Hi, I'm not...Miguel and I aren't...he's just letting me stay. I swear nothing has happened-”
“I'm Normani,” the woman says cutting me off, “Miguel's sister.”
I recognize the piercing green eyes and close my own in embarrassment.
“I...I'm Alessandra. It's nice to meet you,” I say shaking her hand.
She laughs and walks past me to the kitchen, opening the fridge and pouring herself some orange juice.
“Okay, I totally don't believe y'all haven't slept together. He never makes breakfast, so he's definitely tryin’ to impress you,“ she laughs eyeing the stove.
“I'm making breakfast. My-”
“Mama,” says a little voice from the hallway.
Normani turns around and her mouth drops.
“Okay,” she says sitting on the chair. “Let's backtrack. What's goin’ on here?”
“How about a
little bit of “none ya” and a side of “your business”?” says Miguel from the hallway, picking Peter up and carrying him to me.
I watch in amazement at the fact that Peter didn't cry. He never lets anyone hold him except me, and Miguel lifted him so easily. Even Maria, the older woman in our old apartment building that watched Peter while I worked had a hard time getting him comfortable enough to hold him.
Last Round (Double Play Series Book 6) Page 2