by Sabrina Sol
He bowed his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “Actually, I lied about that. My sister never showed me your book. I’m the one who read it the first day it came out and I’m the one who’s been planning for months to come to the reading tonight just so I could talk to you in person.”
None of this made any sense. “I don’t understand. How did you know?”
“Your mom came into the shop the day after my dad died to pass on her condolences. I overheard her telling my mom that you had just signed a book deal. She was very proud that you were going to use her maiden name—Luna—as your pen name.”
“And?”
“And that same night I looked you up online. I’ve been following your career ever since. Every interview, every blog post, every new release. See, I know more about you than you think.”
“You know Celina Luna, the author. What about Celina Preciado, the single mom from San Francisco? I’m sorry, but that doesn’t prove anything.”
“True. That’s why I knew I had to come see you and talk to you again. I needed to know if the smart, funny, sexy woman who had consumed my dreams all these years really existed, or if fantasy replaced reality at some point.”
His face was so close to hers now. The look in his eyes hypnotized her into place.
“And what did you find out?” She had to ask.
“I realized, within minutes of sitting across from you at that café, that the reality was so much better than the fantasy,” he murmured.
His lips covered hers and she melted into him.
It would be so easy to say yes. So easy to tell him she changed her mind and she wanted to go back to his place. But she learned early on that easy only gets harder later. There was one way to find out if she could trust what he was telling her—if she truly meant more to him than she thought.
She pulled away. “Fine. I’ll consider thinking about taking this further if you can answer one question.”
“Great. Shoot.”
“That last night we were together here in your dad’s office, what did I give you right before we had sex?”
A huge grin spread across his face.
“Get your mind out of the gutter. I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about what I gave you in the box.”
“Oh. That.” His grin disappeared and so did hers. “Well, you see, I, uh…”
Her heart sank. “You never opened it.”
He leaned toward her and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Let me explain, please.”
She could see the urgency in his eyes. But she didn’t care. All she cared about at the moment was getting out of there. She maneuvered herself out of his grasp. “Goodbye, Luke,” she told him as she grabbed her things and started to walk away
“I’m not giving up on you, Celina.” His words followed her out. With one quick pull, she closed the shop’s front door and left Luke Anderssen behind her for the second time in her life.
Chapter Four
“What do you mean you had lunch with Luke Anderssen?”
Celina looked around the library and realized a few people had heard her outburst. She smiled and waved at them, then proceeded to walk outside where she could yell at her mother without an audience.
“Calmate mija,” her mom told her. “You don’t have to get so huffy.”
How could she calm down? It had been two days since she’d seen Luke. He’d been so insistent about picking up where they left off, she’d half expected him to show up at the airport. So when he didn’t show and he didn’t reach out online, Celina forced herself to forget about him and their night in the shop’s kitchen. She’d shrugged it off as Luke being the same Luke—all talk and no action.
But now he was taking her mother to lunch? What. The. Hell.
“I’m not huffy. I’m just trying to figure out why in the world would you have lunch with someone you barely know?”
“Well, I went into the shop yesterday to pick up some peanut brittle for your papi and Luke was there. He asked me to have lunch with him. He said he wanted to know more about you. I think he likes you, mija.”
Celina put her hand over her eyes and groaned. How could this be happening? How could her mother do this to her? Then another thought twisted at her gut. “Wait. Did Zoey go on this lunch, too?”
“Oh no. Luke specifically asked me not to bring her. He said he would meet her when you wanted him to meet her. So I told your papi to take her to Balboa Park. You know I can’t be in the sun that long anyway. The medicine I’m taking makes me break out…”
The fact that Luke had said that about Zoey was a welcome relief. At least he respected her daughter’s privacy, if not hers.
“Mom. Mom. I’m sorry to interrupt you, but I only have a few more minutes before the book signing starts. So what did you tell Luke during your lunch?”
“Oh, just this and that. He wanted to know what you did before you started writing your books. He asked about your friends in San Francisco. Don’t worry, mijia, I didn’t tell him too much.”
Yeah right. Her mom’s mouth was as loose as a rusty nail. If there was one thing she loved more than her family, it was talking about her family. “Okay, Mom. Thank you for calling me. I’ve got to go now. I’ll call you later.” Celina hated rushing her off the phone, but she needed a few minutes to calm down before the book signing. What exactly was Luke up to?
She didn’t have time to think about it. One of the volunteers from the New York City Public Library poked her head outside the door to the main entrance. “There you are. We’re ready whenever you are, Ms. Luna,” she said.
Celina plastered on a smile as she walked back inside. Whatever Luke was doing, she wasn’t going to let it ruin her night … again.
***
Three hours later, Celina walked up to the front desk of the Marriott hotel and fought the urge to lay her head down on the counter. She was exhausted. It had been a whirlwind day with two book signings. Her mom’s phone call had only added to the craziness and all she wanted to do was check in, go to her room and crawl into bed.
The desk clerk took her information and within a few minutes, handed her the key card to her room.
“I hope you enjoy your stay with us, Ms. Luna. Oh, and before I forget, this package arrived for you earlier.” He handed her a small red box. She immediately recognized the black bow design emblazoned with “Anderssen’s Fine Chocolates” in white cursive text.
She thanked the clerk and headed to the elevator. The thought crossed her mind to toss the box in the trash. But the temptation to see what was inside overwhelmed her. In the privacy of her room, she tore it open and saw a small note on top of a piece of white parchment paper. The paper covered two pink-colored egg-shaped candies.
After two deep breaths, she started reading:
“I decided the best way to get to know you was to talk to those who know you best. And everyone said the same thing—Zoey is the most important person in your life. I want you to know that I would never try to change that. If she’s important to you, then she’s important to me. When I finally do meet her, I plan on giving her these. They are my latest creations. I’m calling them ‘ZoeyBerries’ – strawberry-flavored white chocolate truffles.”
Celina blinked back tears. The gesture was meant to melt her heart and it worked. She tasted the “ZoeyBerries” and smiled at how perfectly named they were: sweet, fun and one of a kind.
A few minutes later, she gathered enough courage to call the number Luke had written at the bottom of the note. He answered on the first ring.
Her heart skipped at the sound of his voice. “Thank you,” she managed to squeak out.
“You’re welcome. Did you taste them?”
“I did.”
“And?”
“T.B.O.”
He groaned. “That’s not fair. I need to see your face when you say that.” They both laughed. “Well, I’m sure you’ve had a long day. I’ll let you go. I’m glad you enjoyed the chocolates. Goodnight, Celina.”
&nbs
p; Wait. Didn’t he want to talk to her? Wasn’t that the point of sending the candies in the first place? She didn’t understand this new Luke at all.
Still, she wasn’t going to argue. “Goodnight.”
Chapter Five
The next book tour stop was in Chicago.
Celina spent the morning being interviewed by the local news station, the late afternoon signing copies at the major book chain and the evening reading from her first chapter at a quaint independent bookstore.
It was another long and exhausting day, but she was full of energy by the time she arrived at the hotel. She couldn’t wait to see what Luke had sent.
This time, it was two samples of his “Mexican Hot Chocolates.” These, he wrote, were inspired by her mom and dad, both of whom had emigrated from Zacatecas to the United States in their twenties. They were made with a dark chocolate ganache he’d infused with cinnamon and pasilla chiles and covered a chipotle caramel fudge center. They’d spent thirty minutes on the phone telling stories about their parents. He’d even gotten choked up talking about the last time he saw his dad alive.
“I try not to think about too much. There were so many things I should’ve said to him over the years, but I never did. Instead, I try to focus on the fact that I’m finally doing what he always wanted me to do—make chocolates.”
“Maybe it wasn’t really ever about you making chocolates,” she told him.
While Luke’s mom was personable and warm, his dad was quiet and stoic. The only time she’d ever seen any real emotion from the man was when he was talking about chocolate. She used to wince when the two of them would argue about Luke leaving for New York. After one particularly heated exchange, she’d overheard his father telling Luke’s mother that he had called him “just a candy maker,” as if it were an insult. That’s when she knew his father wasn’t angry at his son for not wanting to follow in his footsteps, he was more hurt that Luke didn’t seem to respect how hard the road had been for him.
“Who knows what my dad really wanted for me,” he finally said. “It wasn’t like he was a big talker or anything.”
“I think deep down you know that he loved you, right? And I know for sure that he was crazy proud of you for graduating college and being accepted for all those internships. I’m sure all he wanted in this world was for you to be happy. Are you happy, Luke?”
Silence answered her at first, and then a deep breath. “Not entirely. But I have a feeling I will be soon.”
Chapter Six
City number three was Philadelphia. Four events later, Celina was in her hotel room salivating over Luke’s delivery. The box contained an assortment of chocolate-covered bacon, chocolate-covered potato chips and chocolate-covered marshmallows—a nod to the one time they spent together NOT having sex.
“So I don’t even remember the name of that movie,” she told him later. “All I remember was that it was scary and that the chips were stale.”
“What are you talking about? That movie was awesome and those chips … well, okay, those chips were gross. Anyway, I wasn’t expecting us to hang out that day.”
“Yeah, I know what you were expecting. Your fault for not checking the condom box before you called me to come over.”
He got quiet and for a second she wondered if the connection had been lost. But then he cleared his throat. “Do you remember me holding your hand during the gory parts?”
She swallowed, but her mouth was as dry as the dessert. “I do. I remember that it helped. I wasn’t as scared anymore.”
“Celina?”
“Yeah, Luke.”
“I wish I was holding your hand now.”
“Me too.”
There was a pause on the other hand, then a cough. “Will you do me a favor?” he asked.
She didn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”
“I want you to close your eyes and imagine me holding your hand. Can you do that for me?”
“Okay,” she whispered back. Celina did as requested and her mind immediately envisioned they were back in his bedroom watching that silly scary movie. The smell of stale chips mixed with the spicy cologne he used to wear. And her heart, just like that day, skipped a beat when she felt Luke’s hand cover hers. Real and imagined, it sent shivers down her back.
“Am I holding your hand?”
“Yes.”
“What else am I doing?”
She opened her eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, if I was there with you, what else would I be doing … or touching.”
The meaning behind his words ignited a flash of arousal. Luke wanted to have phone sex with her. She wasn’t exactly dressed for it. Her hair was still wet from the shower and she wore her favorite pajama tank and shorts.
But he can’t see me. For all he knows, I could be wearing a see-through nightie or nothing at all. That’s the beauty of phone sex.
The more she allowed herself to think about it, the more excited she became.
“Are you still there?”
She took a sharp breath. “I am. And you’re still holding my hand, but you’re also starting to kiss my neck.”
“Right under your earlobe because I know that drives you crazy.”
“Mmmm. It does,” she said.
“So I’m kissing and licking your neck and I let go of your hand now because I want to cup and squeeze your breasts through your shirt.”
Celina closed her eyes again, but this time she didn’t see Luke’s old bedroom. Instead, they were in her hotel and he was lying next to her on the bed doing everything to her that he’d just said. Without thinking or questioning, she moved her hand over her breasts and began to squeeze. She was so turned on, so hot for him already. She wanted him to feel the same way. It was his turn to play along.
“Now I’m moving my hand between your legs,” she whispered, “and I feel how thick and hard you are and I start to rub my hand over you because I want to see if I can make you grow even thicker and harder for me.”
“Fuck,” he said into the phone. “I’m so hard right now. I’m taking my dick out of my jeans…”
“So I can curl my hand around it and start to move my hand up and down.”
“Celina?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you touching yourself yet?”
“Not yet.”
“Do you want to?”
“Yes.”
“Then shove those panties down and touch your sweet pussy for me. I’m going to imagine that it’s all pink and slick and ready for me as I pump my cock into my hand. Do it, Celina. Do it now.” He groaned.
There was no thinking when Luke talked to her like that. There was only doing. She placed the phone on the pillow next to her and pulled off her pajamas and underwear. Her nipples puckered even more as the air hit them and her sex clenched with a need to be touched. When she finally put the phone back to her ear, she reached down with the other hand and slid one finger inside.
“Aaahh,” she cried.
Luke panted on the other line and she knew he was already close. Thinking of him stroking himself brought her to the brink. She moved her finger to her clit and pressed down. It was all she needed to let go.
Within seconds, she heard Luke grunt his release as well.
When they both finally caught their breath, he told her that he’d never done that before with anyone else. The old her wouldn’t have believed him.
This her did. “Hey Luke?”
“Yes?”
She smiled into the phone. “Can you hold my hand again?”
“I already am.”
Chapter Seven
San Antonio, Texas.
The last stop before she flew back to California for her final event. She’d only had one book signing on this leg of the trip. But one had been more than enough.
Everything that could’ve went wrong, did. The store couldn’t find the extra books the publisher had shipped in advance specifically for the event. The space they’d set up for her was in the back
and way too cramped for all of her displays and giveaway items. And it turned out her signing was happening at the same time as the shopping center’s big farmer’s market so readers had trouble finding parking.
She arrived at the hotel irritated, tired and ready to go home.
Seeing the box from Anderssen’s Chocolates lifted her spirits. Not just because they were from Luke, but also because she was starving.
After her shower, she ordered room service and dived into the box thinking whatever was inside could be an appetizer. Inside were three “Passion Pecan Pops,” according to Luke’s accompanying note. They were pieces of passion fruit placed on a stick, dipped in milk chocolate and rolled in chopped pecans.
Unfortunately, they weren’t her favorite.
She should’ve taken it as a sign that the next phone conversation with Luke wouldn’t be her favorite either. Everything had been going well at first. He took her criticism in stride and said he’d try again.
“So, tell me about your day,” he asked after the conversation shifted to small talk.
“Ugh. I’d rather not.”
“That bad?”
“Bad would’ve been manageable. This was a disaster. And it makes me sad because I always want to put on the best events for my readers. I know a lot of them were disappointed and that makes me disappointed.”
“I’m sorry. Maybe you could do another one later in the year?”
“Oh, I already told May to book it. But we’re going to find somewhere else to hold it. This location just didn’t work. Anyway, let’s talk about something else. What’s going on with you?”
“So, speaking of locations. I have some exciting news.”
She checked the clock on the nightstand and wondered when her food was going to arrive. “That’s great. What is it?”
“I think I found a storefront in San Francisco.”
Thoughts of her dinner disappeared as anxiety bubbled inside her. “Wait. Why are you looking for property there?”
“I told you I wanted to expand the business. Our online orders are growing every day and I think it’s time to open up a second location. San Francisco is a great foodie town. And obviously, it’s so I can be closer to you.”