by Kimi Flores
Leaning in, he whispered, “I have a feeling I wasn't very nice to her in my previous life, but I don't remember. I wasn’t nice to many people back then.”
Abby held her belly fondly as she and Caleb approached. “I thought you looked familiar,” she said, smiling ear to ear.
I took another look at Josh to gauge his reaction. This guy didn’t look as though he wanted to be recognized as the teenage actor he once was.
“It was a lifetime ago. I live out here on my horse ranch now, far from Hollywood and that lifestyle,” he raised his eyebrows, “on purpose.”
“Oh, well I enjoyed your movies when they were out.” Abby smiled at Josh as Caleb wrapped his arms around her.
Zachary raised his hands, then rubbed them together, addressing our large group. “I have to warn everyone. I love to cook for a crowd. I prepared a traditional Spanish Paella here with shrimp, sausage, and chicken.” He pointed to the table filled with platters of food. “There’s also a vegetarian version with artichokes, mushrooms, peas, and green olives, as well as a salad, lots of bread with olive tapenade and plenty of drinks. Help yourself and please enjoy. Let me know if you need anything else.”
The food smelled exquisite, and I was starving. Coffee was the only substance burning a hole through my stomach.
Filling my plate with food, I purposely sat next to Leah to prove a point. I really didn't care what my mother thought. I wanted Leah to know I was choosing her. The only reason I’d backed down earlier was because I didn't want to deal with the shitstorm my mom tended to throw when she didn’t get her way.
“Don't sit too close,” Leah teased, but I could tell her feelings were hurt.
“Leah, seriously.” I sighed. “I'm sorry. C’mere.” Draping my arm across her shoulders, I leaned in and kissed her forehead.
She was looking up, presumably at my mother.
“Don't worry about her,” I assured, rubbing her arm. “She doesn't need to figure out our relationship. That's only for you and me to understand. Just ignore her. I think we make a pretty great team, but we still need to talk.” I smiled, squeezed her shoulder, then I dug into my food.
She shook her head before we both looked at Abby and Caleb across the table from us.
I heard my cousin whisper to Abby, “Je t'aime de tout mon cœur,” before kissing her on the tip of her nose. Abby closed her eyes, enjoying the affection.
After taking a bite of Zachary’s incredible cuisine, I casually glanced at Leah, wondering if she’d heard what Caleb said. And if she did, would she remember me speaking those same words to her, the night we went to the French restaurant? I was even more curious if she’d know what those words meant.
She looked up at me, her eyes widening as she opened her mouth to say something. Anticipation filled me as I rubbed my fingers on the palms of my hands. Ask me. My eyes widened. I was ready for this. I want everyone to know—I’m in love with you.
As fate would have it, though, Zachary bent forward between us. “Hey Leah, my dad wanted to make sure you saw him before you left. I think he has a crush on you.” He winked.
She turned and looked around. “Sure, where is he?”
Lifting his eyes, Zachary pointed toward the house. “In the living room. He isn’t feeling very good. I was just about to bring him his food.”
Slapping her hands down on her thighs, Leah stood up. “Perfect. My sister and I can take it to him. She works with geriatric patients and loves spending time with older gentleman.” Probably just to razzle her sister, Leah said it loud enough for Dani to hear from across the table.
Zachary looked up, knowing exactly which woman was her sister and a carefree smile crossed his mouth. “He would really enjoy having two beautiful women check in with him.”
Dani smiled bashfully. Interesting.
Chapter Twenty
Sexy in Any Language
Stefen
Groggily rubbing my eyes, I made my way down the stairs and into my kitchen to brew some coffee. I stopped at the entry when I saw Leah reaching for something on the top shelf. Getting a little closer to help her out, I noticed that she had long metal cooking tongs in her hand and was trying to grab something with them.
“What are you doing?” I asked, still half asleep.
“I'm trying to get the coffee filters down.” She stretched up on her bare tiptoes, grasping for her prize.
Enjoying the view, I stepped back and leaned against the doorframe, staring. She was wearing a tank top and tiny cotton shorts that barely covered her butt cheeks.
I love her curves, I thought, blinking away the fantasies of what I wanted to do right that second. I love everything about her body.
“Why are you using tongs?” I asked, more to get my mind off her seductive body in my kitchen.
She peeked over her shoulder. “Some of us are more vertically challenged than others.” Catching the tumbling filters, she spun around and grinned victoriously as she held them up.
With a slight shake of my head, I snickered. “Incredible. You are too much. Why don't you use a step stool?”
Exaggerating her eye roll, she dropped her shoulders and playfully huffed, “Because the tongs work quicker.”
Once the coffee was prepared, she flipped it on, and we stared at the machine brewing the magic formula that was sure to jolt our brains to life. I was glad she’d stayed last night after we’d dropped Bri off at the airport. Waking up with Leah in my home was something I would never grow tired of. Although I’d prefer to wake up and find her next to me in my bed. For now, I would take what I could get.
It was early afternoon, but we’d both slept in and were still in our pajamas.
Tired of watching the coffee pot, Leah began to prepare breakfast. “I’ll make us some omelets.” She gave me an alluring look.
Keeping a watchful eye on her, I thought, this, I could get used to.
We’re talking about this shit today, and hopefully she’ll be in my bed from this point on.
Taking me out of my thoughts, she asked, “So did you hear Bri and Dani talking about moving here?” She cracked a few eggs into a bowl and began to whisk some milk in.
Leaning against the counter, I nodded, “Yeah. How awesome would it be to have both of our sisters living in town? I think it’s cool that they clicked right away. Bri really needs a good friend.” Pushing myself away from the counter, I fetched the homemade bruschetta out of the fridge, I held it up to see if she wanted to add it to the omelets. Once she nodded, I retrieved some parmesan cheese, then placed both containers on the counter.
“Yeah, Dani needs a good girlfriend, too. And with the lay-offs at the hospital and Elena moving in, Dani is ready to move on and finally open her own business as an at-home nurse. Honestly, I think it was Zachary’s dad that sealed the deal.”
Knowing exactly how she liked hers, I poured each of us a cup of coffee. “We should go look at some places for them. If we bug them enough about it, and send them pictures of places, that might be the little nudge they need. Now that they’re settled back into their everyday lives, they may reconsider coming.”
Peering over her shoulder as she cooked our eggs, Leah mentioned, “You could always contact your real estate agent to help us out. I bet she’d do anything for you.” Her shoulders vibrated as she giggled.
I took a sip, then gave my retort, “Yeah, I don’t think so, smartass.” I was tempted to swat her ass, but thought better of it. The next time my hand had contact with that behind, I was going to cherish it.
Watching her and not saying anything was unnerving. The longer we went without talking was driving me insane. Setting my coffee on the counter, I huffed out a breath, then ran my hands through my hair.
She glanced at me as she flipped an omelet over.
I hoped my nervous jitters wouldn’t get the best of me. “Can we talk?”
Swallowing, she turned around and leaned against the counter, resting her palms against the granite. “Yeah.” She breathed out and nodded.
At the worst time, a knock sounded at the door. I cocked my head to the side. “I'm not expecting anyone. Are you?”
“Uh-uh.” She frowned.
Out of nowhere, I was struck with an uneasy feeling as I made my way toward the door. I never had unexpected guests. Since this community was gated, the only way someone could come in unannounced, was to follow another car in.
Fear had no place in my new life, but I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t skeptical about opening the door. Peering through the peep hole, I saw an unwelcome visitor from my past.
“Damn,” I muttered between clenched teeth. I glanced toward the kitchen, where Leah had stayed behind. Nice fucking timing.
Yanking the door open, I found my ex, Lisa, standing there in all her polished, spoiled glory. “Oh Stefen,” she squealed. “I've been so worried about you.” She launched herself onto me.
“Oomph—what are you doing here? And how did you find me?” I peeled her off my body.
Lisa pouted her big puffy lips. “Your mom gave me your address and said I needed to see you right away. She told me that you’d come to your senses and wanted me back.”
Of course she did. I was going to have a chat with mother.
Lisa had been my mother’s puppet for as long as I could remember. I felt guilty about the role I’d played in keeping her in my family’s lives, but I really wished she had moved on by now.
My lips pressed into a thin, angry line as I shook my head. “I'll have to call and thank her.” My tone was sarcastic. “I thought I made it clear that I didn't want to see you anymore. Don’t you think I would’ve called you myself if I wanted you back?”
She flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and lifted her chin. “Oh, you always say that but never mean it.” She waved me off. “I know you can't resist me. I was really worried about you.” She ran her long polish-covered claw down my chest, never once looking at my face.
I held back a growl. She’s so delusional.
Taking a few steps away, I glared at her. “Well, since it's been months, I doubt you were that worried.”
Maybe I had no desire to see her after I was attacked, but she never even bothered to check on me. I crossed my arms over my chest, debating what to do.
She continued to run her fingernail down my chest as she whined, “Let me get you out of those clothes and into bed. I'll show you how worried I've been.” Pushing past me, she slinked into the living room, then spun around, giving me a questioning look. “Wait, it’s noon. Why are you still in your pajamas?”
Annoyed by her presence, I made an attempt to get rid of her. “I told you, Lisa. I'm not interested anymore. And I’m not alone. I don't know what I have to do to get you to understand.” I opened the door even wider. “It. Is. Over. Please leave.”
Surprised, she squinted and took a really close look at my face. She wrinkled her nose with repulsion. “Shouldn’t you have fixed your eye by now? It’s kind of creeping me out. I know it’s you, but I’m having a hard time believing you still look like that.” Using her same index claw, she pointed to my face.
I felt Leah coming before I even saw her.
Plastering herself against my body, Leah wrapped one arm lovingly around my neck and placed her other delicate hand on my face. With the sweetest look on her face, she kissed my eye, her tone carrying a very clear message. “I love his scars.”
I closed my eyes and breathed her in when she began to run her hand along the side of my head. This was proof that only she could make me feel this way—cherished, loved, and whole.
Lisa didn’t care about me. She and my mom were only concerned about what a powerful couple we would be if we ever married.
I momentarily forgot that we weren’t alone, until Lisa screeched, “I'm his girlfriend! Who the hell are you?”
Popping her hip out, Leah waved her index finger in the air. “Oh, I don't think so, hon. I'm his fiancé.”
When I opened my eyes, Leah gave me the sexiest grin I’d ever seen.
Damn, I loved this woman.
“What!” Lisa clenched her hands, about to fist fight someone. “Stefen isn't getting married. He’s not the type. You must be mistaken.” Her face was livid.
Enjoying this way more than I should, I followed Leah’s lead. “She's right.” I brushed Leah’s hair off her shoulder, staring adoringly into her eyes. “We’re getting married. I finally found the one. My perfect girl.”
Taking full advantage, I leaned in and greedily kissed her on the mouth. I missed the feel of her lips on mine and didn’t have time to second guess this kiss as she countered with her own ravenous reply.
Lisa’s whiny voice broke our concentration as she stomped her foot. “Your mom didn't say anything about that. She called me and said I should come. That you needed me. She wouldn't have done that if she knew. Which means that you haven't told her that you’re marrying your maid. You must be embarrassed of her. How sad.” She smirked arrogantly.
I felt Leah stiffen, so I pulled her even closer, rubbing her back. My fingers grazed over the skin on her lower back, and I nearly lost my words.
Grinning, I told Lisa, “I just proposed after my parents left. We haven't even had time to get a ring yet, let alone tell anyone. Leah is everything I would ever want or need in a wife.” I pressed my forehead to hers. I could see Leah’s pulse quickening, but she played along.
This may have been for show, but every word I said was true. Leah had to know it, feel it.
I turned back to Lisa. “Now please get your pompous ass out of our home and don't come back.” As much as I hated to do it, I left Leah's side and lightly held Lisa's elbow to guide her out the front door.
Spinning out of my grasp, Lisa spat her bitter words toward Leah. “He won't be faithful to you. He doesn't know how. He'll come crawling back to me. Just wait, you'll see. He doesn't even like flat-chested women. He likes these.” She wiggled her humongous porn star boobs in Leah's direction. “He even paid for them.”
Shit! Why did she have to say that? I froze, about to lose it. I’d never pushed a woman before, but I just might now.
It was true, I did pay for those monstrosities, but that wasn’t something I was proud of.
In true Leah fashion, I watched my ‘fiancé’ slide her palms down the sides of her beautiful hips and behind as she offered her rebuttal. “Actually, he loves my natural curves that I didn’t have to rely on a man to pay for. Goodbye, Lisa.” Wiggling her fingers in a farewell gesture, Leah walked away, muttering under her breath, “Pendeja.”
Leah was dead on. I did prefer her flawless contours over the one’s I’d purchased for Lisa.
I slammed the door shut as soon as Lisa's thousand dollar heels hit the front porch. I’d bought those for her as well.
Leah paced back and forth as she fumed, then stopped and pointed to the door. “How many of those bitches am I going to have to save you from, Stefen?” She shook her head. “You really do know how to pick them, don't you?”
Ashamed, I looked down at my feet, my insecurities resurfacing. Maybe I should rethink dragging Leah into all the drama in my life. There were bound to be other skeletons in my closet, popping up without warning.
My voice was soft and unsure. “I’m sorry about that. I broke it off with her, but she won't go away. We grew up together and dated on and off, but we’ve been over for a while.”
“Abby already told me all about her when she came home from Chicago after meeting all of you guys. The way I heard it, Lisa was like a puppy just waiting for your next command. I have a feeling that you still throw her a bone every so often. That's why she keeps coming back, and oh my gosh, did you seriously buy her fake boobs?” She cupped her hands and held them out from her chest. “Those things are obscene. They didn’t even jiggle.” Leah mimicked Lisa’s shoulder shake, except I enjoyed watching Leah’s version much more.
Placing my hands on her shoulders, I looked at her face. “Yeah, well that was the old me. I'm not interested in that or he
r anymore.” I tried to avoid directly answering the boob job question.
I leaned against the entryway console table, pulling her closer, resting my arms on her shoulders. “Thanks for the whole ‘fiancé’ thing. Hopefully that will keep her away for good.”
She sighed heavily. “I don't know. She looked pretty competitive. She’s ready to fight for you.”
“Nah.” I kissed the top of her head. “She was sent here because my mom saw you and me together. She’s been pushing me to marry Lisa for years, and now she’s pissed off that I’m not following her orders the way she expects me to.”
“Well,” she said with sass, “now your mom is about to find out you’re marrying the help.”
Gently grabbing ahold of her face, I said, “Stop saying that. I'm sorry. Lisa’s a bitch. She doesn't know any better, but I don't care what my parents think. You’re my life now, and I don’t give a shit what my mother or anyone else thinks.”
She blinked rapidly but stayed silent.
This wasn’t how I’d planned this whole moment, but since it was already in motion, I was going to go for it.
Cupping her face, I ran the pads of my thumbs over her cheeks. With a deep breath, I laid all of my cards on the table. “I really tried to give you the space you said you needed, but I can’t fight it anymore, Leah. I get that you’re afraid of losing what we now have, but I’m not.”
Bringing her face toward me, I ran my nose and lips along her cheeks, jaw, and neck as I whispered, “I want your whole heart. I want to be the guy who gives you butterflies whenever you see me. The one who makes your heart race when you hear my voice. I want all of you, not just your friendship.”
Taking in her own shallows breaths, she admitted, “Stefen, you already do all of those things to me. I want all of you, too.”
I pulled away and looked deep into her eyes. “Je t'aime de tout mon cœur.”
She searched my eyes, lips slightly parted. “Damn, that’s sexy. What does it mean anyway?”
Without hesitation, I replied, “I love you with all my heart.”
Sucking in a breath, Leah recalled, “But you said that to me months ago.”
