by Elena Armas
“Yep, I was doing exactly that,” I confirmed, looking over at her and finding her cheeks flushed.
We both still sucked at lying.
I sent her a wobbly smile and mouthed, Thanks.
I heard Aaron’s deep exhale.
Impatient and sexy blue-eyed grump. He was lucky I was head over heels in love with him.
“Aaron was suggesting that perhaps now that Linda and Patricia are back from their maternity leaves, someone from your team could transfer to Héctor’s,” Rosie explained, her fingers fumbling on top of her open planner. “Just to temporarily cover the vacancy I left now that I’m leading Gerald’s team after his … departure.”
After the tedious and lengthy HR investigation Sharon had pushed for unearthed more than a few sexual misconduct instances, Gerald had been finally laid off. Aaron, our division leader and owner of my heart, hadn’t hesitated, and the moment Gerald had walked out of InTech, Rosie’s name had already been on the table for that position. Before we knew it, we had been celebrating her promotion.
“Do you think we can make that work, Catalina?” my future husband asked. Not that he had proposed, not yet.
As much as I had the suspicion he would soon, perhaps I’d be the one putting a ring on him before he ever did. I was impatient like that.
“One hundred percent,” I answered, scribbling a note on my pad. This time for real. “I’ll make sure to move around a few people and see who can support Héctor’s team.”
The old man sighed. “Thanks, Lina. No one will be able to fill Rosie’s shoes, not really.” His shoulders bunched as he smiled sadly. “But I knew for a while that I’d lose her soon anyway.” He shrugged, his smile turning brighter as he looked at my friend and his former team integrant. “I’m so proud of you, Rosie.”
“Thank you,” Rosie said, emotion coating her words. She cleared her throat. “Now, stop it. Crying on my first division meeting would be highly unprofessional.”
A notepad was snapped closed briskly. “All right, I’ll consider that done,” Mr. Grumps concluded. I looked at him just in time to see him checking the clock behind me. “Meeting wrapped up. Have—”
“But, Aaron,” Kabir called, his voice dancing with trepidation, “what about—”
“Sorry, but I’m officially on vacation.” Aaron sliced his hand through the air.
Yep, we both were. Just half a day, but it had taken me some convincing, so I called that a success anyway.
“It will have to wait for Monday. Have a great weekend, everyone.” He pushed back the chair and stood up, gifting me with a view of his whole torso.
I internally sighed. Happily. All mine. All of that was just for me and for my taking, and what was even better, that strong and resilient heart beating inside his hard chest with loyalty, selflessness, and integrity was all mine too.
“Catalina?”
Snapping out of my temporary trance, I straightened, too, gathering all my things together. “Coming, coming.”
I walked to where Aaron was waiting for me, right by the door.
He lowered his voice. “You are awfully distracted today.”
A retort was ready to leave my lips, but the way he looked at me, with that brand of deep concern that melted my heart, killed it before it could ever come out.
“You are awfully distracting,” I said just for him.
His eyes glazed over, and I could see how he was stopping himself from pouncing on me. But we were at our workplace, and we were always meticulously professional. Not because we needed to, as everyone knew and respected our relationship, but because we had made that choice.
So, I switched to a safer topic. “I’m also a little nervous.”
“I know,” he admitted as we made our way down the hallway, carrying the packed laptop bags we had brought to the meeting. “Our luggage is already in the car, so we’ll make it to the airport just in time to pick them up.”
We entered the empty elevator, Aaron placing himself close beside me, our arms brushing softly.
“I checked earlier, and their flight will land as scheduled,” he said as the metallic doors closed.
“Thanks,” I breathed out, unconsciously inching closer to him. “But I’m still a little anxious. It’s their first time in the US, and everyone is coming. That’s a lot of Martíns in an aircraft for everything to go smoothly. What if the flight was too much for Abuela? What if Papá forgot the medication for his tension? You know, I had to FaceTime him to explain to him how to set a reminder on his phone, so he would take it, but even that way, he probably snoozed it and forgot about that too. And I’m scared of what Mamá packed in her suitcase. Remember I told you that one time she wanted me to bring back a whole pata de jamón in my carry-on? That’s a leg of a pig, Aaron. What if she is carrying some illegal produce, and customs thinks she’s smuggling something into the—”
The elevator came to a brisk halt.
Then, Aaron’s lips were on mine, the sudden kiss rendering me immediately speechless. Disarmed. Weightless. I melted into him, my legs turning to butter. I couldn’t help it. Aaron would always have that effect on me; I knew it.
“Baby,” he breathed into my mouth. “Stop overthinking.” He took my lips in his again, his arms coming around me. His body gently pushing my back against the cool surface behind me.
“Did you just stop the elevator, Mr. Blackford?” My voice sounded breathless, not that I cared.
Aaron was fully aware of the power he held over me, and I wanted it that way. Neither of us wanted a single unsaid thing between us. There had been plenty of those in the past.
“Yes.” He brushed his lips along my jaw. “And we have three minutes to get all those worries out of your head before the front desk is called.” His mouth trailed down my neck, warm palms falling on my waist.
My lips parted. “Oh. Okay,” I murmured as he nibbled at the sensitive skin. My blood started swirling, certain parts of my body demanding attention. “I like how that sounds.”
“I made sure your dad would take his pills with him when I talked to him on the phone before they left the house.” Aaron’s hands trailed up, reaching the swells of my breasts. “Cristina is only bringing a few cuts of cured meat,” he continued as his legs crowded mine. “It wasn’t easy, and I might have promised a few things I shouldn’t have, but she compromised.”
A low chuckle left my mouth, but all humor died when his hips rocked briefly against mine.
“Abuela will be fine; she’s tough as nails. Or don’t you remember how I had to literally pluck her off that dance floor last Christmas?” He tugged at the lobe of my ear with his teeth. “And Isabel’s pregnancy doesn’t put her at risk; Gonzalo called the airline to ask. Twice.”
I whimpered, relishing in the sensation of feeling Aaron all around me—his warmth, the strength of his body, his breath and voice falling on my skin—but also in how deep his words and actions ran. How much love and attention there was in them, in him.
“It’s crazy how much my family adores you,” I told him, grasping both his arms with neglected need running through my body. “You are like a Martín Whisperer. How did you manage to do that?”
“I thought that my success in convincing them about how serious I was about you after we confessed the truth about our deal was pure luck, but I might have a way with words when it comes to the Martíns,” he whispered like it was his biggest secret. “With one particular Martín though, I want to believe I have a way with more than just that.”
My hands trailed up his strong arms, passing across his rounded shoulders and finally clasping behind his neck. “You do,” I murmured. “I adore you too. Treasure you. Love you. Want you. Need you.” I pulled him closer.
“Who’s being awfully distracting now?” he rasped.
I answered by grinding myself against his hard body, briefly but intently. A grunt fell from his lips.
“Look at you, teasing me like this. What an adoring and distracting woman I have in my hands.”
> “How much longer do we have?” I arched my back, pressing our chests together.
He exhaled roughly. “Not nearly enough for what I have in mind.” His palm fell on my behind, as if he couldn’t stop himself. He squeezed me possessively, proving his point. His voice turned low. “Later, I swear. As soon as I get you alone in our room.”
Aaron kissed me deeply then, silently promising all the things he’d do to me much later. Hours from now, when we finally reached the house we had rented in Montauk for the weekend and our family was settled comfortably inside.
“Okay.” Cupping his face in my palms, I brushed one last kiss against his lips. “Have you talked to your dad?”
Aaron reluctantly peeled himself off me and pressed the yellow button on the panel. The elevator resumed its descent. “Yes, earlier today,” he admitted almost guardedly. Just like every time he talked about Richard.
I knew Aaron hadn’t let go of part of the guilt he carried around, but father and son had come a long way. And they both knew Richard didn’t have much time. This past year had already been a gift.
“He and Martha should be getting to the house in a few hours.”
Martha, his caregiver, was another gift sent straight from heaven. She was amazing to Richard and always kept us updated. We trusted her fully, and having her constant support and company not only reassured Aaron and me, but also soothed Richard.
“I’ll check on them again while we wait for your family at the airport.”
The elevator doors opened in front of us, and we stepped out at the same time.
“Everything will be all right, amor,” I told him, breaking my rules and reaching for his hand in the middle of the lobby. “Your dad will make it to Montauk safely, and he is going to love everyone. Just how everyone will love him.”
Breaking his own rules too, he brought my hand to his mouth, his lips brushing the backs of my fingers. “I know, baby,” he whispered just for me. “Everything will always be okay, no matter what. You know why?”
We stepped out of the building, right into one of New York’s overwhelming summer days.
“Why?”
“Because it’s you and me.” He smiled down at me then, meeting my gaze with the conviction his words held. Just as he held my heart in his hands. My love. My whole world. Confidently and completely. “And no matter what comes our way, we have each other.” That Aaron smile, which was just for me and never failed to make my heart skip a beat, widened. “We are in this together, for the long run.”
The End
About the Author
Elena is a Spanish writer, a self-confessed hopeless romantic and much Mr. B’s dismay, a proud book hoarder. After years of devouring stories and posting––okay fine, yelling––about them on her Instagram @thebibliotheque, she has finally taken the leap and started creating some of her own.
While she'd never describe herself as adventurous, having a degree in chemical engineering and being the Monica of her group of friends, this definitely qualifies as the most exciting yet terrifying project she has ever taken on. She's probably biting her nails as you read this. Heck, she's probably full on freaking out. But don't mind her, that's just a little of––hopefully healthy––stage fright.
Regardless, she cannot wait to finally share her dream with you. To perhaps gush over HEAs together, and who knows, maybe fall a little more in love with love. Because isn't that the point on all of this?
www.authorelenaarmas.com
Acknowledgments
The only reason why you are currently holding The Spanish Love Deception in your hands is because a very special someone asked me the following question “But Elena, why don’t you publish it? You have to!”. To be completely honest, I thought her completely insane (I still do, sometimes) but I guess having someone else’s faith and encouragement can be enough to take a leap and reach out for your dreams. Ella, this book wouldn’t have been possible without you. If I could get away with it, I’d write pages and pages about the reasons why you have become this crucial and huge piece of the puzzle that is my life. But you’d roll your eyes so hard, I’d have to take a flight and go visit you at the ER. So, I’ll just say thank you. From the very bottom of my heart, thank you. For every word of encouragement, every piece of advice, for your guidance, for every single minute of those hour long VMs, for all the TMIs, for every single one of your “shut up”, and above all, for your precious friendship.
Cris y Ana … tías, lo he hecho. Gracias por estar ahí para mí desde que éramos unas mocosas insoportables que se creían súper alternativas. Me habéis animado (y psicoanalizado, seamos claras) hasta que me he lanzado a seguir mis sueños. Por ello, siempre seréis parte de ellos. Vuestra amistad lo significa todo, ya lo sabéis.
Erin, I have a confession. The day I casually asked if you’d like to beta read this book for me, I played it cool but I was about a hair away from losing my shit. But oh my gosh, you accepted and just like you recently said, turns out we make a pretty great team. TSLD wouldn’t be the same today if you hadn’t beta read it (imagine how much everyone would have hated Gonzalo). Thank you, Erin. I really hope this was only our first.
Cristina, you have been so good to me. Your kindness and unconditional support meant the freaking world. I can’t believe I used to go to you for romance recs and now, I am gushing over your absolutely beautiful and amazing review of TSLD. Thank you, hermosa. You have been a lifesaver and a total star, and your help has made all the difference. I swear, I’ll write you the steamiest book with your Cavill-esque hero. It’s a promise.
Mr. B, I hope you got me flowers on release day. We live right across from a flower shop, so it’s (literally) not that hard. I know I’m not the easiest when I’m stressed, and I’ve been a little on edge for the last few weeks. So that’s the least you can do, don’t you think? I’ll bake you a cake. Please?
Jovana, my goodness, I can’t begin to imagine the amount of work I gave you. This book wouldn’t be the same without your magic. Thank you.
To every blogger and bookstagrammer that has cheered for me, messaged me, and given me all their trust and support. You guys rock my world and deserve all the flowers and cake. Oh my gosh, you guys. This wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thank you.
You, the reader. Thank you for giving a chance. I know I’m a newbie, and this is just my first and imperfect attempt, but I hope with all my goddamn heart that you loved it. I hope you stick around, too. Because like Joey would say, without you, this is all a moo point.
