Love & Lies

by Iannarelli, Michelle

  “I just hope he doesn’t use Faith as a rebound and hurt her.”

  “He isn’t like that.”

  “I hope not, for both their sakes.”

  “Enough about them. How was your spa day?”

  “Mmm, it was wonderful. I missed you though.”

  “I missed you too.”

  Miguel pulled Alex into his arms and kissed her.

  THREE WEEKS HAD PASSED. Alex was completely moved into Miguel’s house. She still wasn’t used to someone cleaning, shopping, parking her car for her or even cooking for her on occasion.

  The doctor finally gave Miguel the go ahead to resume work and all activities which meant he would be leaving for work soon and Alex was going to miss him.

  “I’m going to miss you.”

  Miguel pulled on his jacket and straightened his tie as he walked towards Alex.

  “Then come with me.”

  “Oh sure, I can be your shadow.” Alex chuckled.

  “You can be my CFO.”

  “But…”

  “No buts…I never replaced you. I couldn’t.”

  Alex smiled so big and hugged Miguel. “Oh my God.”

  “I will be waiting for you downstairs, put a move on it.” Miguel laughed as he walked out.

  Faith was meeting Miles for breakfast. They had become closer after the night they spent together. Miles was so sad and in desperate need of a friend. Her heart broke for him.

  “Hey, Beautiful.”

  “Miles, Good morning!”

  “I didn’t know what you felt like so I ordered pancakes, eggs and oatmeal.”

  “Yum! I am starved. What are you going to eat?” Faith laughed.

  “Oh, I ordered the same for me.” Miles smiled.

  “So how are you feeling today?”

  “Better, not good but better.”

  “It takes time. How’s the dating going?”

  “I’ve been out with a few women but nothing more than dinner or drinks.”

  “What, no sex?”

  “I’m just not ready to do that one-night stand thing and leave a girl hanging.”

  “You’re not leaving her hanging if you make a point of telling her that all you want is sex.”

  “Yeah, then they want to know why and I don’t want to be sharing my business or even worse have some woman I don’t know feel sorry for me. It’s bad enough you had mercy sex with me.”

  “Mercy sex! No, I had sex with you because I wanted to since that first night we were together. I wasn’t passing up the chance. You are so fucking sexy, Miles.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I knew it was just rebound sex.”

  “Great, I like you, you’re a good friend and I used you for rebound sex.”

  “You didn’t use me, I knew up front and allowed you and you know what, I’d do it again.” Faith winked at Miles.

  “Again as in again or if it didn’t happen yet you’d do it again?”

  “Again, as in, I’m here anytime you want to use me.”

  “You’d be ok with that?”

  “Look, we are both consenting adults, neither of us are in a relationship right now, so what’s wrong with having sex if we both want it and need it?”

  “Breakfast has arrived!” The waitress started placing plates down on the table.

  Miles was suddenly only hungry for Faith.

  Faith however, was stuffing her mouth with bacon.

  Ryan got to work early. Today was the day his newest hire was starting work and he couldn’t wait.

  “So it looks as if in the twenty minutes you’ve been here, that you’ve settled in quite well.”

  “Yes, I have. I’m excited to start this new chapter of my life.”

  “We are very happy to have you on board with us here.”

  “I hope you feel the same way in six months when my probation period is up and you don’t decide to give me the ax.”

  Ryan laughed. “I’m sure that won’t be the case.”

  “Can I buy you a cup of coffee before we start the day?”

  “We have a whole spread set up in the employee lounge. I’d be happy to walk you down there and grab a cup.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  They headed down the hall. As they approached the lounge Zac, one of Ryan’s partners, walked up to them and extended his hand. “Welcome to the firm. I hope you will be very happy here.”

  “Thank you. I’m sure I will be very happy here.”

  The three proceeded over to the coffee bar.

  Miguel arrived back at work and his employees were all so excited to see him. Trudy had baked fresh muffins and Lacey brought in a dozen of his favorite pink donuts.

  “Alex, does this mean that you are coming back too?”

  “Yes Lacey, it does.”

  Lacey grabbed Alex and hugged her. “Yes!”

  “I had no idea you were such a fan.” Alex giggled.

  “You keep the boss man happy and if he is happy we are all happy!”

  “Ahh, I see. Well, I intend to keep him happy.” Alex winked.

  “Oh are you two?” Now it was Lacey that winked a few times.

  “We are.”

  Lacey grabbed Alex and hugged her. “I’m so happy for the two of you.”

  Miguel walked over and looked at Lacey and Alex as they pulled away from one another.

  “Did you miss each other that much?”

  “Alex just told me the good news.”

  “Ahh, that I’ve convinced her to come back to work?”

  “No, about you two.”

  “Oh. About that. I’d like to keep it quiet for now.”

  Alex’s smile faded from her face. Quiet? He wanted to keep their relationship a secret? Was he ashamed of her? “Excuse me.” Alex walked towards her office.

  “I won’t say anything to anyone, Mr. Cruz.”

  “Thank you, Lacey. I appreciate that.”

  “I best get back to work now. It’s nice to have you back.”

  “It’s good to be back.”

  Lacey started to walk away and Miguel hugged her. Lacey almost died. In all the years she had worked for Miguel he had never done more than help her on with her coat or shake her hand the day he hired her. “Thank you for the pink donuts. They’re my favorite.”

  Lacey’s legs felt week as she stepped back. Holy hell, her body was just pressed up against Miguel Cruz…she wanted to run and scream but she didn’t, instead she swallowed hard and replied, “You are very welcome.”

  Miguel smiled and walked to his office.

  Miles had been running around all day. He had one last appointment to go over a security detail for a lawyer who was concerned about his client’s safety.

  “Hello, how can I help you?”

  Miles smiled at the very pretty receptionist. “I have an appointment with Zac…”

  “Miles.”

  Miles turned around and Ryan was standing there.

  “Hey, Ryan.”

  “Is Alex alright?”

  “Yeah, she’s fine.”

  “Oh, then what are you doing here?”

  “I’m here to meet with a client.”

  “Someone on my staff?”

  “Yes, Zac.”

  “He’s my partner. Come on, I will walk you up to his office.”

  “Thanks.”

  They got into the elevator and headed to Zac’s office. Ryan stopped to talk to one of his employees. Miles looked down at his watch and when he looked up Eden was standing in front of him.

  “Eden? What are you doing here?”

  “I accepted a position here. It was time to move back home. I miss my brother.”

  “Miguel never mentioned anything to me.”

  “I wanted to get through my first day and make sure I was going to stay before I told him.”

  “Where are you staying?”

  “I knew that Alex moved in and I don’t want to invade their privacy or have them invade mine, so I got myself a townhouse.�
��

  “I’m sorry, Miles.”

  “No, it’s fine. It gave me a minute to say hello to Eden.”

  “Eden is going to get back to work now.” Eden turned and walked away.

  “She’s going to be a great asset to us here.”

  “Miguel will be very happy to have her home. He’s missed her.”

  “Good, then it’s a win-win for all of us.” Ryan stopped in front of a door. “This is Zac’s office.”

  “Thanks for giving me the escort.”

  “Anytime.”

  Ryan walked away and Miles knocked on the door.

  Alex sat at her desk looking through piles of paperwork but she wasn’t thinking about work, she couldn’t get her mind off the fact that Miguel wanted to keep their relationship a secret. She almost felt like he was ashamed of her.

  “Alex, these were just delivered for you.”

  Alex looked up and Trudy was carrying a vase of yellow roses.

  “Thank you, Trudy.”

  Trudy left. Alex reached for the card and opened it.

  Dear Alex,

  You are my Sunshine.

  All my love,

  Miguel

  “It’s true, you know.”

  Alex looked up and Miguel was leaning against her door.

  “They are beautiful. Thank you.”

  “Is something wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong.”

  Miguel walked in and closed the door behind him. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Alex, I don’t know much but I do know that when a woman says nothing, that’s a big something. So tell me what’s wrong, so I can fix it?” Miguel took hold of Alex’s hand.

  “Why did you get upset that I told Lacey about us?”

  “I wasn’t upset.”

  “You want to keep me a secret.”

  “I don’t know how people would feel about us.”

  “Is that going to change how you feel about me?”

  “No, not at all.”

  “Then what does it matter?”

  “I am afraid that some of the female employees may give you a hard time, to be honest.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ve always made a point not to date anyone who worked for me. I’ve had several offers and always turned them down. Now I’m going to tell my employees that we are dating and you’re back as the CFO. What do you think they will all think?”

  “That I started sleeping with you so that I could get my job back?”

  “I don’t want people talking shit about you.”

  “I don’t care what people say.”

  “Alex…”

  “But you do?”

  “I will talk to the head of PR and see how to handle this.”

  “THIS!”

  “Alex, you have to understand.”

  “Understand! What, that you think of us as a THIS!”

  “Sweetheart, please. I live in a fish bowl; everybody wants a piece of me. I don’t want you to start off with negative press. I’m just trying to protect you because I love you.”

  “I don’t need protection. I just need you.”

  Miguel kissed Alex. Alex melted in his arms. She knew he wanted to protect her but she wanted the whole world to know how much she loved this incredible man. “Ok, you win. I will keep quiet about us.”

  “It won’t be for long, I promise.”

  Miles, Dane and Eric were waiting in Miguel’s office for him. Dane had come across some information and wanted to share it with them all right away.

  “Wow, what a welcoming committee.”

  “I gathered everyone together because I was given some information and I think it will lead us to Jakey.”

  Miguel sat down at his desk. “What did you find, Dane?”

  “Word has it that an American is being held here.” Dane put a map down on Miguel’s desk and Miles and Eric got up to come look.

  “Let’s go.”

  “Miles, we can’t just go. You know that.”

  “We can if it means we can save Jakey.”

  Eric pulled out his phone and looked up the coordinates. Then he took a picture of the map. “I think we should go; we can be there in ten hours.”

  Miguel sat back in his chair. “Dane, what do you think? How much do you trust your source?”

  “I’ve only dealt with him a few times but my gut tells me to trust him.”

  “I think we need more than this one guy’s word before we head out not knowing what we are getting ourselves into.”

  “Migs, I get that but what if it is Jakey?”

  “Miles, if it’s Jakey, he’d want us to be ready for whatever we’re walking into.”

  Miles looked at Miguel. “You’re right. Looks like we have our work cut out for us then.”

  MIGUEL AND ALEX HAD just finished dinner when the doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it.” Alex got up to get the door but before she got there the maid, Marta, had let Eden in.

  “Surprise!”

  “It certainly is. Miguel will be so happy to see you.”

  “How is my brother doing?”

  “He’s back to his old self.”

  “Hmm, is that good?” Eden laughed.

  “I thought I heard your voice.” Miguel walked over to Eden and scooped her up in a big hug.

  “I’ve missed your hugs, Miguel.”

  “I’ve missed my sister.”

  “About that. I have some news.”

  “News? Sis, should I sit down?”

  “It’s more like do you have any champagne?”

  “I can go grab a bottle.”

  “Alex you come with Eden and I to the living room. I will have Marta get us some champagne.”

  After they sat down Eden grabbed Miguel’s hand.

  “I’ve spent some time soul searching to try and figure out what is most important to me in my life. You, are the most important thing in my life…”

  “Eden…”

  “Let me finish. I wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for you and I don’t just mean alive. You’ve saved me so many times and when you left, you took me with you. It would have been easy to run and leave me behind…”

  “I love you, you’re my sister. I could never leave you…” Miguel looked so serious.

  Alex just sat there watching the exchange of emotions on their faces. It brought tears to her eyes.

  “Miggy, you gave up your childhood to protect me and you cared for me. You made sure that no matter what you had to do that I always had a warm bed, clean clothes and a hot meal. Nobody has ever loved me the way that you do. You gave me an amazing education and you’ve supported me no matter how right, wrong or bitchy I was. I miss being with you and seeing you every day. You are all I have left in this world.”

  “Are you sick, you’re starting to scare me…”

  “No, I’m not sick. I did quit my job…”

  “You quit? Why? Did they do something to upset you?”

  “No, I loved that job but I love you more.”

  “Me? You quit because of me?”

  “Yes, because I wanted to move home and be a part of your life.”

  Miguel squeezed Eden in his arms. “So you’re home for good?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve missed you so much. There were times where I wanted to beg you to come home.”

  “Well, I’m home now and you’re not getting rid of me.” Eden pulled away from Miguel and sat back.

  “You can come work at Cruz.”

  “Oh no…I have a new job at a wonderful law firm and I purchased myself a townhouse.”

  “You’re not going to live here?”

  “You have Alex now…”

  Alex stood up. “Eden, I’m sorry. Please don’t think I’m here to take over your home, I’m not. I can move out.”

  Eden stood up and walked over to Alex and hugged her. “I’m happy you are here but we are adults now and Miguel doesn’t need to take care of me anymore. T
his has nothing to do with you being here Alex.”

  “This house is big enough for all of us.”

  “I know but I need to take care of myself. I’ve been doing it for years in Chicago.”

  “Miles is going to be thrilled. I know he’s missed you too. I can’t wait to tell him; it will be like old times.”

  “Miles already knows.”

  “You told him before me?”

  “He was at my new office today and I ran into him.”

  “Wait, you’re working for my brother? I know Miles was there today to see Zac.”

  “Yes, Ryan hired me at his firm.”

  “I guess I owe your brother a huge thank you.”

  “Alex, he isn’t so bad on the eyes either.” Eden winked.

  Alex smiled. “He is kind of cute but he is a womanizer.”

  Miguel grabbed the champagne and poured them each a glass. “To my beautiful sister, welcome home. I love you.”

  They all tapped their glasses together and then sipped their champagne. Miguel was a happy man now that his sister was home.

  Faith was reading Intoxicated By You for the third time, she just loved Liam. She dreamt that one day the man of her dreams would show up at her door. As she stared into space there was a knock on her door. She got up to answer the door and mumbled, “Now that’s creepy.”

  “Hey, can I come in?” Ryan was standing outside her door.

  “Sure.” Faith opened the door further so that Ryan could come in.

  “I’m not interrupting anything am I?”

  “No, I was just reading.”

  “Good, do you want to have sex?”

  Did she want to have sex? If it were up to her she would handcuff Ryan to her bed and make him her sex slave. Of course she wanted to have sex. Good God, she had better answer him before he decides to leave. “YES!”

  Faith pulled her robe open and let it drop to the floor. Ryan’s eyes opened wide when he saw her standing there naked in front of him. He couldn’t get his belt unbuckled fast enough. He dropped his pants and Faith climbed him like a tree. He slammed her up against the wall and started pounding himself into her.

  Alex finished drying her hair and walked back into the bedroom. Her eyes lit up. Miguel had candles burning and rose petals all over the bed. He was standing there in black silk boxer shorts.