Lavish Love: A Second Chance Romance (Blazin' Love Book 9) Read online

  He shakes his head. “The penthouse.”

  The driver opens his door, and Mateo slips out. I look back at the building, counting to the sixth floor, confused. "Penthouse?"

  He opens my door, and I take his offered hand. "Give us two hours, and I'll take the luggage inside."

  "Yes, Mr. Rodriquez." The driver pulls away from the curb, and I survey the street. The neighborhood seems quiet. There are similar units down both sides of the road. They resemble townhomes to me. But I've never seen a six-story townhouse.

  "Welcome home!" A petite, plump woman with short brown hair is at the top of the steps with her arms opened wide. Mateo takes the stairs two at a time and swoops her up into a bear hug. He makes loud kissing noises on her cheeks, and she swats at each one.

  He lowers her to the ground, and her attention turns to me. I climb the stairs standing beside him.

  "Tia Marie, I'd like to introduce you to my fiancé Alexandria Martinez."

  I tense, my eyes seek his. His response is a slight lift of his eyebrow. Game on.

  "Why didn't you tell me?" She playfully swats at his arm. Her eyes radiate with excitement. "It's about time, Mateo. To think you've worried your poor mother. Wait until I tell her."

  “You don’t have to wait long…she’ll be here tomorrow. Surprise.”

  Her hand covers her heart in stunned silence. Her lips quiver, and she starts crying. I know it’s from happiness because her smile is so serene.

  "Tia Marie is my mother's sister." He tells me.

  “The one you lived with when you moved here?” I recall.

  “Yes.” He gathers Marie in his arms, her head rests on his chest. She’s wiping away the tears, but they keep falling. "They haven't seen each other since she moved to the States." He places a soft kiss on her forehead.

  "Nice to meet you, Marie." I reach in my purse and pass her a tissue.

  “Please call me Tia Marie.” She sniffles. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you too. Let’s get you inside and settled in.”

  Tia Marie guides us inside. Mateo closes the door behind us, and I’m blown away.

  "Take her luggage upstairs, and I'll give her the tour." She guides me forward, and I'm ready to see every inch of the house.

  "We only have one-hour, Tia," Mateo calls from behind us.

  “We’ll be back.”

  The entry floor is the family area. A living room, formal dining room, kitchen, family room, and several bathrooms. The decor is modern and sleek. The monochromatic color scheme in shades of gray moves from room to room, but each has a different accent color. The tour is quick, but I notice black, teal, and red.

  “We can take the stairs or the elevator.”

  "Elevator?" I turn around, and Tia Marie is waiting by a single door elevator. "So, this building is one house."

  "Si. I'll show you my floor, and we'll see the others tomorrow." We take the stairs. "I stay on this floor to keep an ear on the house.”

  “You live here?” I ask.

  "Uh, huh. It's how Mateo wanted it."

  He did it. He told me he’d do it and he did. The sprawling mansion is beyond impressive. Tia Marie’s “floor” is a full apartment with a living room, bedroom, one and a half bathrooms, and a kitchen. Her decor is vibrant, and it feels like a home reflecting her jovial energy.

  I stop looking at her magnificent view.

  "Welcome to New York, sobrina."

  My heart warms at her calling me niece. “Thank you, Tia Marie.”

  “Let me show you my favorite room.”

  She walks with a bounce in her step, and I follow to the back room. She opens the door stepping aside, and I enter a sewing room. I stand in the middle and turn a tight circle.

  “You’re a quilter.”

  “And do you remember this?”

  She walks over to a closet and removes a blanket. She peels back the folds, and I can't see through my tears. "He kept it."

  “No, chica, he killed it.”

  We laugh as I gather the quilt to my chest. It’s the first quilt I made, and he insisted on keeping it. I run my hands over the unraveling seams.

  "I wasn't very good then," I admit.

  “We never are in the beginning. Now let’s get you back downstairs.”

  I gather the quilt to my chest, inhaling Mateo's scent. I fold it gently and set it on a side table.

  "You can come and sew anytime," she offers, closing the door behind us.

  “I plan to take you up on that offer.”

  We take the elevator back down, and I can't believe he still has that quilt. We stumbled on a small quilt shop in Austin one weekend, and as a Christmas gift, he bought me a gift certificate to a beginner's class. I went with my little Singer machine from Walmart.

  "Are you okay, chica?"

  “Yes, ma’am. That quilt brings back good memories.”

  “It does for you both.”

  The bell rings and the doors open, and Mateo is sitting on his cellphone.

  “Thank you for the tour.” I face her with the blanket still on my mind.

  "You're welcome. It feels good to finally put a face with a name. We'll have more time to sit and get acquainted during your visit." She hugs me, and it's strong and filled with love. "Welcome to the family." She whispers before letting me go.

  Family. The word lingers long after she rides the elevator back to her apartment, and Mateo ushers me out to the waiting vehicle. And for a moment, I wonder how his family will respond when they learn this engagement is a ruse.

  "Madison and 57th," Mateo calls to the driver, and the SUV pulls into the flow of traffic.

  I sit back, keeping an ear on Mateo's phone calls and my eyes on the city. Tia Marie's tour of the "family mansion" was once a dream for Mateo, to have all of his family under one roof.

  She told me the basics. It’s actually seven stories, four of which are similar to her apartment. Then there's a family game room in the basement. The top two floors are Mateo's penthouse apartment. The driver returned, and now we're making a mad dash into the city for a little shopping.

  "We don't have to do this now," I whisper, glancing over at him. He lifts the armrest between us, placing a hand on my leg. His long fingers wrap my thigh, and our eyes hold.

  "We're fine. Susan usually handles this, but tonight's her big night." He explains, and for the next fifteen minutes, I listen as Mateo manages to open several high-end boutiques with a call.

  “I’d like to stop and get them a gift.”

  "We got them one." He says, dropping the phone in his pocket as the SUV rolls to a stop.

  “What did we get them?”

  "A seven-day honeymoon to a destination of their choice." He opens the door and disappears, leaving me alone for only a second to process his statement. He helps me out, tucking my hand around his arm, and like before the doors open to greet us.

  "Mr. Rodriquez, Miss Martinez, please have a seat, and I'll bring out a few of our best selections." A chic woman motions with a flourish of her hand to a couch.

  "Huh, okay," I respond, eyeing Mateo.

  "I'm Galiana. Welcome to my boutique. Tell me, do you like short or long. Fitted or flowing."

  I answer the questions, and a small army starts moving around, pulling dresses, accessories, shoes. Mateo makes phone calls stopping periodically to offer suggestions for alterations or color changes.

  "I can't try on another stitch of clothing," I demand exhausted after over an hour of quick changes. I’ll have to tape my eyes open tonight.

  “Galiana, charge my account and deliver everything to the house. I want the red gown, with the shoes and accessories delivered here within an hour.” He gives her a card.

  "Yes, sir. Thank you." Galiana gives me a set of air kisses, and I'm whisked away.

  This repeats for four more boutiques, and I'm looking at him, stunned. "Mateo, this is overwhelming. There's no way I'll wear all of these formal gowns and dresses in this lifetime."

  "I always wanted to do this.
" He kisses me, and I kiss him back. "I remember when we used to share a pizza buffet. When I gave you a single ornament for Christmas. Let me spoil you, mi querida."

  I nod. In college, I didn't want to use my parents' money, and Mateo couldn't work as a stipulation of his scholarship. We struggled together, neither of us complaining.

  The final stop is at a spa. He requests the works from head to toe, and with a parting kiss, Mateo disappears.

  Chapter 8

  Alexandria steps into the lobby, and I only see her. I stand to my feet as our eyes hold for what feels like a lifetime. We talked about shopping in New York, traveling the world, gowns, yachts, and cars. But none of our wishing sessions felt like this.

  I'm breathless, heart-pounding, fingers burning with the compulsion to touch her. And my heart whispers, mine.

  Her caramel skin wrapped in a Christmas red dress like a gift, specially created for me. The imported fabric follows the peaks of her breast, valleys of her small waist, and contour her full hips falling into a pool of layers at her feet. Her hair is styled off her neck, and the diamonds sparkle across her chest. We're running late, but I'd rather take her home and unwrap my present.

  The click of her heels brings her closer, I swirl my finger, and she does a sexy spin. The rocking of her hips causes my eyes to settle on her sweet bottom. She stops glancing back over her shoulder, she winks, then completes the rotation. I trace a finger down the hollow of her cheek and brush a kiss over her lips.

  "You look absolutely gorgeous, mi querida."

  “Thank you. I have to keep up with you in this tuxedo. I’ll have to beat them off with a stick.”

  I kiss the inside of her neck, her soft moan encourages me to kiss up until my lips hover over her diamond-studded ear. "Not with my rock on your finger."

  "Especially with this boulder on my finger. You gave Tia Marie quite a shock with your announcement. How will you handle your friends?"

  I chuckle, loosening my grip as she snuggles closer. “You have nothing to worry about, as for my friends, my friends will be told. Others will have to fill in the blanks.”

  “Have you considered your explanation once I head back to Texas?”

  “How about we enjoy the evening and let the future handle itself?”

  She cuts me a glare, smoothing her hands up the lapels of my jacket. “This place is heaven on earth.”

  "It's at your disposal." I release a long exhale, thankful for the shift transition. This is moving at the speed of lightning. First the idea, then the ring and proposal, and now she's here in my arms. "We need to get going before I send our regrets and take you home."

  She steps back. "Oh no, you don't. Not after all this work. Take a picture for my guys."

  Alexandria passes me her phone. Through the phone screen, I appreciate her beauty, the way her hand rests delicately on her waist, the seductive pucker of her lips, and the twinkle in her eyes. I snap several pictures for her and one for me. I removed her coat for my arm and drape it over her shoulders. "Bundle up, it's freezing out there."

  "Where's the engagement party?" I help her button-up and wrap a thick scarf around her neck, careful not to disturb her hair.

  “A few blocks up at the Four Seasons.”

  She yawns, drawing my attention to her mouth. "I hope I make it. It's been a crazy long day, and after that massage, I can barely keep my eyes open."

  "We'll stop by and make an appearance. Then get you into bed." I emphasize bed, and her eyes darken with lust. Her little rant about no sex echoes in the back of my mind. But the Alexandria I knew could stay in bed for days, only stopping to eat, sleep, and shower.

  I bundle her up, and we make the short trip. People stop and stare the moment we enter the lobby of the hotel. It's all her doing, she commands the attention of all. The click of her heels, the sway of her hips, the dramatic sting of diamonds provides a striking display of royal beauty.

  And she’s with me. I pause, pulling her back against me.

  Her eyes round at the sudden movement, her flirty smile makes me wish I had her alone. “Mateo…”

  I have to taste her, not giving a damn about her sticky lip gloss, or the people standing around. This kiss is tender and slow. She steps back after wiping her gloss off my lips.

  “Thank you.” I know she feels the chemistry between us. But will she trust it?

  "Don't thank me yet, handsome. I might have you on the dance floor all night." She looks over my shoulder towards the base bumping from up ahead.

  We follow the music until we're standing in the reception hall. Jerrick spots us the moment we enter. He flags down Susan, and they walk in our direction.

  I introduce Alexandria and Susan. Then Jerrick, in his true fashion, folds Alexandria in a brotherly hug. I give Susan our gift and kiss her cheek. “Congratulations.”

  "Thank you. And this has you written all over it." Susan says, side-eyeing him. "Jerrick would have had us at the house eating barbecue."

  I make the sign of zipping my lips.

  “Does it matter?” Jerrick asks. “Your man came through, that’s all that matters. Right?”

  “Right.” She rolls her eyes and mouths, Barbecue.

  Alexandria laughs, and I help her remove her jacket.

  "I'll introduce her around while you tell Jerrick how much he owes you for handling the party," Susan smirks, dragging Alexandria in the opposite direction.

  “Did you tell her?” I ask the moment they disappear.

  “No, I thought you did. Man…that’s scary. She’s already acting like a wife. I’m not sure whether I should be excited or scared right now.” Jerrick shakes his head in disbelief.

  I laugh. Susan's right, as usual. I had my event planner handle everything. Except Jerrick doesn't owe me a dime, I'm happy to cover tonight's festivities. And my gift-giving will be officially handled after tonight.

  “You think she saw the invoice?” Jerrick asks, scratching across his low-cut fade.

  “No, she just knows stuff. It’s a woman thing and why my life runs seamlessly.” I watch Alexandria and Susan dart from one end of the room to the other.

  “So, you and Alex back doing y’all thang?”

  I nod towards the door. I see Alexandria and Susan talking to a group of women. We slip out into the hallway. “I proposed to her.”

  He stares at me tongue-tied. “To Alex? What? Did I miss something?”

  “No. She agreed to pretend to be my fiancé through the end of the month.”

  “Only you would think of something ridiculous as a fake fiancé. What did you have to do to get her to agree?” His eyes squint suspiciously.

  “That’s between us.”

  “And how will you let her go again once the month is over?”

  "I'm sort of hoping she'll stay." I'm slipping down an oil-slick slope with her. But I can't stop it, and I don't want to. Why fight it?

  “And if she doesn’t?”

  “She will.” I meet his direct gaze. It’s best to change the subject because I’m not letting her go. “You guys should come by for dinner tomorrow. My folks are flying in for Christmas.”

  "You're telling your mother about this fake fiancé business?" His says louder than I'd like.

  “Man, please talk a little louder the city of New York would love to participate in this private conversation." I glance around, ensuring we don't have an audience.

  “Your mother will start planning the baby shower. Watch. All I can say is, don’t do it.”

  I shake my head. “Wasn’t it you who begged Susan to marry you?”

  “Man…you promised to never speak about that night.”

  "My bad." I cough to disguise my laughter. I swallow hard, fighting to keep a straight face.

  "Aw, man… That's how you do me?" His hands are open in surrender. "You're supposed to be my boy. You out here clowning me." His face drops.

  I can’t hold it any longer. I burst out laughing.

  "She had you begging harder than James Brown." I he
ave for air. My side is cramping, but it keeps flowing out the more he stands there with that stupid look on his face. "Please baby baby baby please."

  “You foul man.”

  I wipe the tears from my eyes. I stretch back, trying to relieve my stomach.

  "Laugh, all you want. I wasn't losing my woman for nothing."

  “I know. But that was funny as hell.”

  We sober up, turning back to the celebration. He wanted to move in together before getting married, and Susan wasn't having it. She returned his ring and told him to lose her number. I knew she was over it the moment she told me, "I'm a wife, and I'm not waiting around for him to recognize it." I did everything but tell him, but he didn't catch my hints.

  That was the first time I truly understood the weight of marriage for some women. Alex and I always talked like marriage was inevitable until her parents arrived at her place unexpectedly and found me living there.

  “Mateo, if you ever trusted your boy…trust me now. Don’t tell your Mom.”

  I look into my best friend’s eyes. “It’s too late. She already knows. It was the only way to get them here.”

  “Just remember I warned you. Now, let’s get back inside and enjoy this expensive food you’ve provided.”

  I laugh, following him into the banquet hall. It's two halls combined into a sprawling layout. The DJ booth is on the far left with the dance floor covers the center. The right side has circle tables for eating and socializing. The food and open bar line the back wall.

  They have a great turnout. I take a deep breath and try to ignore Jerrick’s response.

  The DJ has the vibe right, and I spot Alexandria from the back. I leave Jerrick talking with some family members making my way across the room. The slight sway of her hips to the music quickens my pace until I'm standing behind her.

  "Dance with me," I whisper across her ear, smelling the floral scent of her skin.

  “I’d love to.”

  The moment we boarded the plane, she seemed to relax. I lace our fingers, leading her to the dance floor. I find a clear spot and face her.

  My eyes lazily enjoy the sight of her from head to toe. Her petite height brings her head just over my shoulders. I turn her in a full circle then pull her into my arms just as the lights lower to a soft haze. A Jamaican slow wind starts, and she catches the beat with a seductive rock of her hips.