I head to the elevator and see the envelope from last night. I grab it. It feels soft and flexible, like a letter. I'll read it while I drink my coffee.
I follow the aroma. “I think I love you.”
Gloria laughs. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you too.” I pull down a mug and pour a cup. I lean against the counter for my first sip. I smile as the liquid coats my insides.
“Thank you.” Gloria lowers her mug to the island.
“For what?”
"Mateo had a smile this big." Her arms open, and we chuckle.
“We’re heading in the right direction.” I exhale taking another drink of my coffee. We're not perfect, but we're certainly better.
“And…I realize my attitude had more to do with your grandfather. I’m so sorry for taking it out on you.”
The coffee rolls down the wrong pipe, and I choke. “My grandfather?”
My ears pop in terror at the mention of my grandfather. I look around out of instinct and back at her.
"I'll never forgive him for the way he ran my son off." She pats my back, and I'm trying to figure out what she's talking about. "To offer to pay him off, like his some…some azarar.” Her mouth sets in a tight grimace.
“…azarar?” She's made it a point to speak in English all week. I speak Spanish, but I'm not familiar with the word.
“Who are you speaking of sister?” Tia Marie walks in the kitchen and sits beside Gloria.
“Mr. Blackwell.”
I don't miss the discreet shake Tia Marie gives Gloria. I swallow, trying to stop the sinking feeling in my chest.
"What does my grandfather have to do with Mateo?" I face Tia Marie, but she's avoiding my questioning eyes. "What does it mean?"
“Like…bad luck, as in not good for you.”
I gaze off piecing it together. Ran Mateo off… Offered to pay… “My grandfather paid him to leave.” My world is spinning and riddled with questions.
Does my mother know? When did this happen? Why didn't anyone tell me? Darkness is closing in, and I shouldn't be surprised. I knew my grandfather had it in him. But I'm not someone he can control.
My phone chimes. I glance at the screen, We’re here.
The cavalry. What are they doing here? I unlock my phone to respond and realize I forgot to call them last night. Harper and Liam sent a plane for me.
I hop off the stool, “Huh…I need to make a quick run.”
Tia Marie appears in front of me. “Shouldn’t you wait for Mateo?”
I run off, deciding not to wait for the elevator. I take the stairs two at a time until I reach Mateo's place.
Where? I respond, throwing my clothes in a bag.
Four Seasons.
Chapter 14
Tia Marie wouldn’t allow me to take a cab. So, I accepted her offer to use her driver, and after I tip him, I enter the hotel.
“Ho…ho…ho….”
The Santa standing in the lobby is shady AF as I do the walk of shame. A week ago, I arrived in this hotel in a ten-thousand-dollar gown, dripping in diamonds. Today, I’m walking through the lobby with an ugly sweater, leggings, with sandals and socks.
I accepted this assignment with one caveat: Don’t land in Mateo’s bed. But oh no, I had to taunt the man and now the jokes on me.
I knock on the suite door. It swings open, and there's a collective gasp.
“Ahhh…shyte. He had you speaking in tongues, didn't he?" Charlee is throwing it back, and I'm confused.
“Huh…” Harper runs a hand over the top of her perfectly coifed hair, in a smoothing motion. I shrug it off, not understanding since her hair is in cornrows.
“Had you calling him Papi?” Charlee says with a fake accent.
I walk into the room, dropping my bag on the floor. I slump into the chair folding over. “My grandfather paid him to leave.”
“Ricco Suave?
"What are you talking about, Charlee?" I yell and sit up to see her cockeyed smile. The others are fighting to hold back laughter. "What's so damn funny? My life is crumbling around me and—"
Harper passes me a mirror.
“I look like a madwoman.” Kill me. Right now. Please. “I walked across that lobby with that fucking Santa calling me a ho.”
Tears are running down Chase’s face. Ryann’s shaking like she’s about to have a seizure.
Jordan has the decency to look me in the eye, coughing in her hand. “But your sweater is…huh…festive.”
The ripple of snickers starts, and I hate them, each and every one. Harper snorts, gasping for air with a tight hold on her baby bump.
"I can't stand y'all heifas," I whine, and the dam breaks wide open.
The roar of their laughter is deafening. They’re falling over each other. Hooting and hollering. It’s a scene out of the funniest movie and my worst nightmare.
“That must have been one hell of a night. Santa tore that stuff up.” Charlee howls like she’s about to die.
And I sit in amazement. I shake my head, looking in the mirror again. The shit is funny. My hair is packed on my head because I didn't wear a bonnet last night. Yesterday's makeup is smeared across my face, and I’m wearing a sweater with flashing Christmas lights.
I hear a knock at the door. I walk over to get it since none of them can compose themselves.
“Y’all better not ask me for nothing when we get back to Austin.” I open the door and freeze.
“Alexandria.”
“Tia Marie.”
I could hear their laughter the moment I walked out of the elevator. Now, nine sets of eyes are glued on us.
“We need to talk.” She opens her mouth to refuse. “Now, we can do it in front of your friends, in the lobby, or on the fucking moon. But we're going to talk this out."
The laughter dies as the women right themselves and walk over. I take a moment to look at them as they stand behind Alexandria. Nine women sporting designer clothing and their baby bumps. They traveled from Austin to support her, and my wall of rage crumbles.
"They can do or say what they want, but I'm not leaving. Because you and I promised."
An eerie slice falls over the room. I’m standing in the doorway, not entirely inside but not fully out. The women surround Alexandria, one holding her hand, another with an arm wrapped around her waist.
“I’ll listen.”
I’m not sure who says it because my eyes are on Alexandria. I glance over and receive a quick wave from a lady over Alexandria’s shoulder.
"I almost lost Zach due to a misunderstanding. I’ve always vowed to hear the full story before deciding.” She glances over at the others.
I plead with Alexandria from my heart to hers and wait until I see a slight nod. “Your grandfather came to our place one day and offered me five thousand dollars.”
There's a collective gasp, and Alexandria’s eyes turn ice cold. “Did you take it?”
“No.” I step inside until I clear the doorway. I reach for her.
"They why did you leave?" The words rip from her soul, and I want to hold her.
“Because I didn’t want you to have to choose between them and me. They’re your family.”
“You were my family.” She shouts and struggles to remain composed.
“Correction. I am your family." Her fearless warriors step back, and I take another step. "I regret not coming to you, but I couldn’t ask you to walk away knowing I had nothing to give you.”
“All I ever needed was you.”
“Well, you got me, baby."
“That’s that Rico Suave shyte.”
“Charlee.” They chide in unison.
“What? Don’t act like I’m the only one that noticed.”
Alexandria rolls her eyes, and she steps into my arms. A chorus of aahhhhs surrounds us. These women are fascinating. I brush my lips across hers, and I'm rewarded with a kiss.
I pull back. “Would you ladies like to join us for brunch?”
“No, thank you. We hav
e to get back. Are you staying Alexandria?”
I wrap an arm around her waiting for her answer. “Yes, I’ll call you guys later.”
"Then, it's time to roll out."
The ladies start gathering their bags, and I turn to Alexandria, "Love…your hair."
“I know,” she groans.
They laugh all the way to the lobby, and Alexandria says her goodbyes. The moment the SUV is out of sight, she turns to me. "I'm ready to go home."
I enter the house, and everyone's waiting for me. Gloria looks relieved, and Tia Marie holds me close to her chest.
“Welcome home,” Tia Marie shouts.
“I know you sent him.”
“She didn’t have to send me, I wouldn’t let you get away twice. Once almost killed me.” I kiss him with all the love I have in my heart. “I’ll be right back.”
"Oh no, you don't!" Gloria yells.
“I’m just going to quilt room to get Mateo’s gift.”
I run up the stairs and return with a box. Mateo, a man with everything, stares at the box with tears in his eyes. “Thank you, mi alma.”
“You don’t even know what it is. Open it.” I push the box closer.
Mateo peels away the metallic white wrapping paper and opens the cardboard box. He knows what it is. He leans over the table, and his mouth covers mine. "Thank you."
“Pull it out.”
He removes the quilt and opens it wide. Gloria and Tia Marie hold each side. Even his father gasps. I repaired his old seams and patched up the holes. I made it bigger by adding pictures from the last week. There’s one with him and his parents, him and his siblings, him and Tia Marie, and us. I even added a picture of the kids. The gratitude in his eyes melts away any lingering doubts.
"Now open yours." I almost forgot about the envelope. I return to my bag and pull it out. I glance around, smiling as everyone waits. I remove the letter. My eyes scan across the words. It's the address and number for Antonio Martinez in Guadalajara. I look up at Mateo with the paper crumbled in my sweaty hands.
“You found my father.” I’m too stunned to cry.
He nods. “We can visit him if you like.”
There’s no other man for me. I’ll have to deal with my mother and grandfather. But I’m not giving Mateo up again, and I'm ready to learn more about the other part of me.
"I would." I fly into his arms. He kisses me, and it eases all the turmoil I feel down in my soul.
"Can we eat? I'm starving." His father calls out, and the family heads into the kitchen.
Mateo leads me by the hand, and I can’t contain the smile on my face or the joy in my heart.
Hours later, we head to bed after the kids open the rest of their gifts. Mateo is floating around the place after his parents decided to stay until the new year, and I don't blame him. The moment the door closes, he starts removing my clothes until I'm naked in my engagement ring. He drops to one knee.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes!”
I undress him taking my sweet time, running my hands all over his body when the realization that he's all mine settles over me. I kiss across his chest, pushing back to the bed. I climb on top of him.
I stare into his eyes. “I love you. I never stopped loving you.”
“I love you too.”
I lower until he fills me. We make love until the new day greets us. He kisses me, and I watch sleep take him.
I came to New York for an assignment, scared to face Mateo and our past. I don't know what the future holds, but if it's more of him, I'm ready and willing. This truly is a Merry Christmas.
I’ll have to thank Jordan, her Christmas wish worked. And not only did I get my man, but I got a new family too. Not bad for a…ho…ho…ho.
Epilogue
Six months later…
The doors of the conference room open, and a hush falls over the room. The GIB enters, and I lean forward to watch my woman lead the guys inside.
Alexandria moved to New York and never left. My parents stayed around, and when my mother heard Alexandria was pregnant, I finally convinced them to make New York our home as a family. My mansion is finally full of my family, and my woman is full with our child.
There’s only one more thing to cross off my list. I stand motioning to the vacant chairs. “Guys. Welcome.”
I smile over at Susan, and she shakes her head abreast of my plans. But Alexandria will have us old and grey before she decides on every detail of the wedding. Her relationship with her father is growing every day. Her mother and stepfather plan to spend time with us this summer. Her grandfather threatened to disown her, but when Alexandria stood up to him and tossed her bank statement on the desk, he promptly shut up. So, their relationship is strained but not broken.
Now is the time to make my fake fiancé my real wife.
“Thank you all for joining us. Alexandria and I have structured a plan to help you move into the international market. But I have also created a plan that will allow you to onboard international clients while limiting your exposure and expenses.”
“I’m listening,” the seductive spread of her smile makes me rock hard.
"I can help you, Alexandria. But…I have a request." Sitting at the head of the boardroom table is a turn on for her, I'm sure we conceived our son in this very room.
“Okay. And that is?”
The love I see in her eyes makes me feel like the richest man in the world. "Marry me? Today."
“Matty…”
There’s a collective gasp in the room, and I take advantage of their shock. “I don’t want a perfect wedding. I only need you to say two words, I do.”
“But…”
“Everyone’s here and waiting.”
“Everyone? Here?” She glances around as if expecting them to enter the conference room.
I nod, “They are patiently waiting at the Four Seasons. Your parents. Your father. Your grandfather. Your guys…”
“You,” she whispers, and her eyes beam with love.
"Do you require anything else, mi alma?”
“No, all I ever needed was you. I accept.”
I circle the table to kiss my lady. Charlee stands up, clapping with the guys. She opens her mouth to speak, and Alexandria stops. "Charlee Raine, I swear if you say one word about freaky shyte I’m might scream.”
"Says the woman ready to get it on on the table. I can see it in your eyes. He started talking in Spanish, and you started drooling."
I shake my head. This is our life. Now to marry my lady before she realizes we didn’t discuss her international expansion. I guide her to the door, “You ready to become Mrs. Rodriquez?”
She pulls back and whispers, “How long have you been planning this? Did Susan help? How much did you spend?”
I make the motion of zipping my mouth. “I’m about to lavish you with everything my money can buy.” I pull up behind her brushing my aroused state against her full bottom. “I got the DJ from the engagement party.”
Alexandria's head snaps in my direction. "Slicker than oil, but I love you."
"I need you to show me how much on the dance floor." Her head falls back as laughter spills over. We walk up to the waiting car, and I glance up at the sky for the briefest moment and whisper, Thank you for our second chance. I climb in beside Alexandria, ready for the first day of our forever.
Thank you for reading LAVIS LOVE. Alexandria and Mateo found their happily ever after. Please leave a review. Keep reading and meet Chase and Jameson in Total Love. The FINAL book in the Blazin’ Love Series.
It's New Year's Eve.
Business is insane, and my life is unrecognizable, thanks to the bundle of joy I carried home from my last trip to Las Vegas. But exceeding a billion dollars is worth celebrating until I see my son's father.
I'm Chase Elliott. The GIB boarded a private flight to the City of Second Chances to celebrate our 10th Anniversary. A weekend is all I need to pop in and out of his city until Jameson enters the club.
And I fold to my last mistake of the old year, and in the heat of passion, I reveal our son has his eyes. I slip into the New Year running home under a cloud of Jameson's threat—my hand or his son.
I'm prepared to fight the man who confiscated my heart. And as the truth comes to the light, I only hope lies don't tear down the house that love built.
One-click TOTAL LOVE now!
Sneak Peek! Platinum Love
Chapter One
“Perfection.” I purse my cherry red lips in the mirror ensuring my face is beat to capacity, and it is. I run a hand over my sleek ponytail, dropping it over my shoulder, ready to dance off this sour mood. I add an extra coat of lipstick. Red always makes me feel strong and in control.
“Well, pack your hottest two pieces. I plan to return looking like an Egyptian goddess.” I add my two cents to the robust conversation on our three-way call.
I wink at myself picking up the phone while my besties Charlee and Harper gush over my recent invitation. Nobody, and I do mean nobody throws a better soiree than me. Theme, destination, transportation, no detail overlooked, because every element is significant. Every element is hand-selected to etch the experience in the minds of my guests forever.
Charlee and Harper talk back and forth as I walk to my closet discussing what they’re packing. Who knew I’d need this trip? Not to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Lewis, who’s no longer my boyfriend but my ex-boyfriend, instead, I need this trip to take a break from Austin. I need time to scrub his lying, cheating, no good ass from my life. I need a change.
I turn my face from the screen, not wanting them to see how much his cheating effects me. But Lewis ain’t worth a single tear. The dick pic he obviously sent me by accident marked the end of our on-again, off-again relationship. The message flashes before my eyes, B, your lollipop misses you.
Lavish Love: A Second Chance Romance (Blazin' Love Book 9) Page 8