“You don’t have to be rude.” She pulls away. “It’s not something to make fun of. So what if I’m not like other women you’ve been with.”
I grab her knee before she can squirm out from under me. “No, sweetheart, I’m not making fun of you. I just wasn’t prepared. I figured a woman like you must have had plenty of offers.”
“Oh, I’ve had offers,” she scoffs. “Just none that I’m interested in.”
My mind drifts back to her black panties. “So let me get this straight. Nobody has seen that before?” I point to her lower regions. “I mean you’ve at least seen a doctor?”
She lowers her gaze and shakes her head. “I’ve never been sexually active. So Nikki told me not to worry about it until I started sleeping around.”
“Damn,” I gasp, and reach up to rest my hands to the side of my head. I lean back against the headboard, wondering how uncomfortable I must’ve made her.
“I’m so embarrassed.” She pulls the blankets over her body.
“No, sweetheart, don’t be embarrassed. We should’ve talked about this before I went this far.” I reach over to stroke her hair. The tender side of me feels bad that I haven’t made her realize how she just took this relationship to a whole new level. “You don’t understand how much more I want you now.”
“But I don’t have any experience.” She cries into the pillow. “Like all the other women you’ve been with.”
“Look at me,” I say.
She won’t take her face from the pillow.
“Isabella,” I play with the sound of her name like she’s in trouble.
She peeks one eye.
I reach over to wipe away her mascara.
“I need to show you something.” I begin to unbutton my jeans and she hides her face. “Stop, I’m not going to show you the goods. I just want you to see this. So you won’t feel embarrassed. I’m the one that should be embarrassed.” I tug at the waist of my sport briefs, exposing her name with the flower beside it on my lower abdomen.
“What?” Her eyes widen.
“I stole your badge off your apron at the garden center that day I came and got the bark.” I place the palm of my hand against my forehead and roll it over my hair. “I was so upset thinking that you slept with my brother I wanted to do something crazy. So I went out and got a tattoo. It’s your handwriting and your drawing of the flower. The guy had to sketch the other letters so it would be Isabella instead of Issi, but I think it looks pretty close.”
She wiggles out of the covers and leans down to see it. A rush of hunger pulses at my stomach watching her on all fours in that downward dog yoga position.
“Why did you do that?” Her voice is full of shock. “I mean didn’t you think about how much you’ll regret something like that? Or how much your wife would regret that?”
“Sweetheart, I need you to get out of that position. I can’t think straight when you’re bending down like that in front of me.” I turn my head. Don’t hold back. She wants to give it up. I shake my head. No, respect her. She’s your queen. I gently push her back. “I just need a little space. Or maybe we should put your clothes back on.”
She gives me a strange look.
“Please don’t take this like you took my last rejection in Cabo.” I grab her shoulders. “I’m not rejecting you. I’m respecting you. I swear on my life you’re the only woman I ever want to be with from now on.” I point to my lower abs. “This should prove that. I just can’t control myself if I see you in those little black panties.”
“So you don’t want me to do this?” she asks, shaking her backend.
I cover my face. “Not unless you plan on me taking every bit of your virtue tonight.”
“Well, I was sort of planning on that.” Her brows pucker.
“I know, sweetheart, and trust me, I want to be the only man that takes it, but I want it to be at a certain time and place.” I reach out with her shirt to pull it over her head. “I want you to be my queen before we do something like this.”
“You promise I didn’t do something wrong?” She pulls the jersey down so it covers her chest and tugs her jeans back on. “Nikki is always giving me crap about being a virgin and that no guy will want to be with me.”
“She’s full of shit.” I smile and pull her close to me, cradling her tiny body in my arms so we can spoon against each other on the bed, hoping for a little pillow talk.
“So you’re not mad at me for not putting out?” She tilts her head back to look at me.
“No,” I say, giving her a disgusted look. “Don’t call it that.”
“I just thought guys—”
“Sweetheart, not all guys are pigs.” To be honest I don’t think I’ve ever been so smitten over a woman. It’s like I’m seventeen all over again, and I’ve got a girl in bed with me for the first time. She could make me do anything she wants right now. I basically have no control over my brain. It belongs to her. “I’m basically so whooped over you I can’t even process my thoughts right. I just need you to be gentle with me. I’m paranoid you’re going to break my heart. No other woman has had this kind of power over me.”
She presses her backside against my hips. “I like the sound of that.”
“Take it easy.” I pull back a little. “This guy’s on fire. I need to cool down for a while.”
She giggles when I tickle her sides.
“Wait,” she gasps, and wiggles away to sit up on the mattress with her pouty girl face that drives me wild. “So no boom boom tonight?”
“Oh, Isabella, stop it.” I run my fingers through my hair, trying to be stronger than I’ve ever been. “No boom boom, you naughty girl.”
“But when is the time going to be right?” She leans back, resting on a stuffed pillow and taps her fingers over her stomach. “I mean I’ve sort of waited a long time for this.”
I raise to my elbow so I can look her in the face. “I just want to put a ring on your finger first. Like my dad did with my mother. What do you think about that?”
“Reef,” she pauses to wrinkle her forehead. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
“I guess I am, I wanted it to be so much better than this,” disappointment fills my voice. The air in the room has finally settled enough from the sweet smell of her body that I’m aware of how much I’m screwing this up. “I could do something big with the Jumbotron at a Lakers game, or fly an airplane over Dodger stadium, or—”
“No,” she interrupts. “This is perfect. I accept.”
“You accept?” My eyes widen.
“Yes,” she whispers. “I’m saying, yes, I’ll marry you.”
My heart could drop to the bed I’m so shocked. “Are you serious?” I reach over and grab her face to kiss her lips, but quickly pull back. “I don’t even have a ring.”
“I don’t need one.” She shrugs. “I just want to be with you and make our children eat steak and potatoes and drink milk with their supper.”
“That’s basically the best answer I think I could ever imagine you saying. It doesn’t get much better.” I jump out of the bed and start pacing the floor like an overly excited dumbass. “Is it alright if I call you mine now? I know you hate the whole owning you thing, but I sorta need to say you’re mine.”
She grins. “How about we say I belong to you. I think that’s a good compromise”
“Oh, man, you shouldn’t have said that.” I hop back onto the white comforter and wrestle her against the sheets like we’re kids playing at school.
“Stop,” she begs as I tickle her sides.
I quit tormenting her for a second so I can lean back and collect my thoughts. “I want you to pick out whatever ring you want.” I reach into my pocket. “I probably have my phone on me. Maybe we could find a few online, and then we can go shopping for one first thing in the morning.”
Her small hand reaches up to touch my face. “Nope. I want you to pick it out. Just surprise me.” She runs her fingers down my neck, pulling me closer. “I love you, Mr. Vanguard
.”
The tiny throb in my stomach begins to pulse from the sound of her saying she loves me.
“Why don’t you kiss me now so we can enjoy this,” she teases, pressing her finger against my chin. The cherry flavor of her ChapStick doesn’t need to ask twice. I slowly work my hand from her body up to her face, running my fingers over her lips. Her soft brown eyes sparkle with anticipation.
“Slowly,” I say and kiss the lobe of her ear and make my way to her jawline.
She shivers. “You’re so good at this.”
I place my lips to her mouth, enjoying the sound of her whining for more as I tease her with my tongue. I roll it over her cherry lips. Damn, that’s yummy. I press it deeper into her mouth, parting her lips. She welcomes me with an open invitation. My hand travels the length of her body. I want to explore every part of her. She doesn’t stop me. I wrap my tongue around hers and continue to explore her ribcage with my fingers inching closer to my favorite part. I just need to know if they’re bigger than a handful. You ain’t going to stop if you go there. I pull my hand away and she lets out a heavy breath of disappointment.
“Sweetheart, I just want to hold you tonight.” I twist her body around so we’re spooning again. “I’ll give you plenty of boom boom in the future, but tonight just let me hold you. I can’t face your father if I steal your innocence the night before I ask his blessing.”
She cringes. “You want to go see my father tomorrow?”
“Of course.” I chuckle and wrap my arms around her, assuring she won’t get out of my grasp until the morning. “We need to get married within the next few days if I intend to respect your innocence. I can’t make it much longer than that.” Not if you keep tossing your cookies at me for free. “I’ll be honest. I may not make it through the night without copping a feel.”
She laughs and pushes her chest against my arms.
“Stop,” I say, trying to ignore the heavy pulse growing in my lower stomach. “Be a good girl for me and play nice. I’m having a tough time. Can you be a good girl?” I ask, and curse myself for getting hot and bothered by treating her like some little thing I want to take advantage of.
She nods and I take in the flowery scent of her hair.
I might just be the luckiest man that ever lived. I think with her body so close to me. If I can just control myself until tomorrow, I’ve got it made. I wonder if she’ll want a big wedding? “How many people do you want at the wedding?” I ask as her breath begins to slow into a soft rhythm of slumber.
“I don’t care. Probably just my family.” She nestles her head closer to my chest. “And Madame X.”
“I think we can manage that.” I kiss her head, knowing full well she has no idea how fast I intend to move this deal. I reach over and start texting Nikki, hoping Isabella doesn’t think tomorrow’s too soon.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“Good morning, sunshine. Did you get any sleep last night? Your eyes have bags the size of France under them,” Madame X says as she stares at the messy bun on top of my head.
“Reef just dropped me—”
“You have a package in the back with your sister,” X interrupts before I can finish telling her Reef just dropped me off. I won’t go into detail that I made him bring me back this morning so I could talk to her face to face.
“I need to tell you something,” I say with courage.
“It is a busy day and I want you on the treadmill in five.” She shoos me away without wanting to hear another word.
“Can’t I take a break today?” I yawn.
“No, you may not. Now go.” She begins writing in her little black book and I know it’s not the time to bring up the subject of my engagement.
I wander to the back and dream of plopping onto the soft velvet couch.
“There you are,” Nikki says, full of excitement.
“Did you drink too much of her coffee?” I ask, wondering where this energy is coming from.
“Don’t test me, I’ve been up since last night.” She grabs three giant dress boxes that are white with a large pink band wrapping around the center to keep them closed.
“What’s this?” I ask, furrowing my brows.
“Open it. Mia had connections. We went in late last night and tried them on to make sure they would fit you. I’m just hoping your boobs aren’t too big.” Nikki grabs a Starbucks cup off the counter and takes a sip.
I pull back the pink band and open the box. “Is this what I think it is?” I mess with the tissue paper.
“Yes, now hurry up before they all get wrinkled. I just put them in there a second ago. You need to try them on and pick one out.”
I want to cry I’m so happy. “But how did you know?”
“He called everybody after you were dead asleep, sawing logs apparently,” she quips, and then teasingly raises her brows. “And you’re ‘more than a handful’ is what we gathered when we talked about how big the bust should be.”
I look down at my chest and blush.
“Oh, stop it. The whole virgin thing has this man hot and ready for tonight.” She rolls her eyes. “I guess it really paid off for you.”
“Tonight?” I question. I can’t imagine getting married this fast.
“He has a circus of loading trucks headed to dad’s place setting up the event of dad’s lifetime out there. It’s probably the biggest thing that’s happened in that small little town.”
“Dad knows I’m marrying a gringo?” My heart drops to my feet as I crash onto the couch.
“Apparently, they’re going into business together.” Nikki shakes her head. “I guess Dad can legally have his name on all the projects that Reef’s building in Mexico. This is all just one giant business deal for your rich guy. I hope that makes you feel good.”
I frown. She has no idea the man Reef Vanguard is. And she’s not going to ruin my day with her jealousy. “Where’s Mia?” I search the room.
“She’s sewing our bridesmaid dresses.” Nikki sweeps the counter full of make up into a suitcase. “We’re meeting her at dad’s in a few hours.”
I point to the front of the building where Madame X is probably sitting behind her desk. “Does she know?”
“Uh, yeah, the entire state of California probably knows with all the buzz Reef has caused. Didn’t you see the plane flying outside when he dropped you off? A banner of your commitment together, really? Can he be a bigger cheeseball?”
“I can’t believe I missed that.” I rush to the window and look up. Nothing. Dang. No wonder he was going off about the sky being so clear today.
“You need to undo all those dresses and lay them flat. Hector will be here any minute to pick us up. You’ll have to try them on at Dad’s place.”
“Can’t I just drive?” I ask, hating the idea of a limo ride on my wedding day.
“You didn’t realize your car’s not out there?” She rolls her eyes again.
“No,” I say, wondering what in the world is going on.
“That’s another gift, but it’s in his driveway with a big red bow. He bought you a new Range Rover because he didn’t trust your little car getting squished on the freeway. Mia told him to get you a Mercedes, but his heart is set on Rovers. Something about the way they handle on the freeway after it rains.”
I sit on the couch and want to pinch myself. Is this really happening?
“Hurry up,” Nikki shouts. “I think Hector just pulled up front. I just got a text. Just grab the boxes and we’ll lay the dresses out on the seats.”
I climb to my feet, but don’t feel the floor as I walk out front to where Madame X is visiting with Hector.
“Ah, señorita Issi, it is so nice to see you again,” Hector greets me and reaches out to shake my hands. “I told you I had a good feeling about this.”
I lower my gaze.
“I knew Mr. Vanguard would have to be loco not to take you off the market,” Hector gushes. “And I want to thank you for the invitation to the wedding. My wife really wanted to come, but the
treatments have made her very tired and sick so we can only be there in spirit tonight.”
My heart swells. “Is she getting better?”
“Oh, she is doing great. The doctor says she should be in remission after we finish her treatments, you know.” He opens the door to the limo. Nikki climbs inside. “I just can’t thank Mr. Vanguard enough for taking care of my family.”
“He did this?” My hand clutches my chest and I fight the tears about to fall.
Hector places a finger over his mouth. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything, you know. But I figured you could thank him from me and my wife.”
I nod. “I will. I promise I will.”
Hector smiles and starts whistling a happy little tune before he grabs the suitcases lined in front of the building to put in the trunk.
“I’ll meet you there,” Madame X taps my leg. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. You know this was all in the plan when his brother called me, right?” The mischievous grin toys at her lips just like the day I sat in with her on the couch after Reef paid for a year of dates. “I wouldn’t have let you go to a man any less than Mr. Vanguard.” She closes the door and I watch her waving as we pull away, wondering if this could possibly be the best day of my life.
“Before I forget,” Nikki gripes, and tosses me a small, rattling box. “Here’s another gift. He wants you to hurry and open it to swallow a few of those before we get on the road.”
I pull off the paper and smile at the bottle of non-drowsy motion sickness pills. He seriously thought of everything. I think I may have died and gone to heaven.
“And how are you this evening, Mrs. Vanguard?” Reef laces his fingers between mine as we sit at a quiet table away from the crowds of people.
“Exhausted,” I sigh.
A worrisome grin paints his face. “Did the pills make you tired?”
“No, I think it’s all the dancing.” I stare off into the distance at people bouncing around to the mariachi band. Nikki is holding her high heels in her hands as she jumps on top of a large centerpiece stage that Reef had brought in for the occasion. “If I forget to tell you…this was the best day of my life.”
Isabella - Book One Page 14
