10. Emily

Chapter 10

Emily

I watch Alejandro march across the sand. The muscles in his strong thighs flex and bunch in a hypnotic rhythm. And his back…I swallow hard…it's spectacular. He glances my way and gives me a smile that has my stomach doing flip-flops. He strides toward the net, nodding at his teammates while keeping his eyes locked on me. I shiver as heat rushes through my veins. I've never wanted a man more than I want Alejandro Garcia.

As the game goes on, I can't take my eyes off of him. I barely notice the other players. There's only Alejandro. Squatting. Bending. Twisting. Lunging. A fine sheen of sweat gathers on his skin, shining in the sunlight. I've never watched porn before, but this has to be what it's like.

With a loud smack , the ball is hit over the net right to Alejandro.

"You've got this!" I shout. "You're going to win!"

He shoots me a wink, and then he springs up onto his toes, hitting the ball over the net and right into the sand.

"You go, wolf!" I clap.

"Wolf? Why do you call him that?"

I turn, shocked to see Peaches. "What are you doing here?"

"We took the transit here this morning. We didn't see you and your fiancé on the train. Tell me you didn't drive all the way out here."

"No, we didn't drive. We came in a helicopter." I can't resist.

"Wow. A helicopter? That's gotta be expensive."

"Wait." I spin around. "Where's your husband?"

"He's right there." She points to the volleyball net.

How is this possible? Is the universe trying to punish me or something? Spain is a very large country. Joshua and Peaches could have gone anywhere. Anywhere! But they're on the same beach as Alejandro and me? Bananas.

"Doesn't he look handsome?" Peaches swoons.

I hold in a laugh. Handsome? Not compared to Alejandro. My wolf is majestic.

Suddenly, Peaches lets out a shriek that could shatter glass. "Tater Tot!"

I whip around so fast I have to throw my arms out to keep from falling. My eyes land on Joshua, and I freeze in horror. Blood drips from his fingers, forming a red puddle in the sand.

What the…?

With a big lump in my throat, I glance over at Alejandro. He has a smug, satisfied look on his face.

Oh, no.

Stunned, I stand still as a statue and watch a crowd gather around Joshua.

Did Alejandro do that…for me?

My heart hammers against my lungs while my brain tries to process what's happening. When did my life become a weird sitcom?

In a flash, Peaches charges across the sand.

"You spiked the ball my way on purpose," Joshua mumbles.

"My little Tater Tot, are you all right?" Peaches cries.

"He broke my nose!" Joshua snaps. "That son of a bitch broke my nose!"

"What?" Peaches fawns all over Joshua. "My poor baby. I'm sure he didn't do it on purpose. It had to be an accident."

"Here. Use this." Alejandro prowls over with a towel. "I'm sorry. I did not mean to hit the ball that hard."

"Yeah, right," Joshua barks. "You're gonna pay for this, pal."

"It was an accident." I step in front of Alejandro. "And my fiancé isn't paying for anything. You've taken enough from me already. Consider yourself paid."

"Whatever," Joshua mumbles.

"These young men say there's a clinic right down the street, Tater Tot. Let's go and get you checked out." Peaches puts her arm around Joshua. "I will take good care of you, baby."

"I'm sorry," Alejandro calls out as they walk away.

"Was it an accident?" I whisper.

"Yes. And no." My wolf grins.

"Oh, my God. You broke his nose."

"I think I did." He chuckles. "You must know I did not intend to break his nose, mi vida . However, I did want to hit him with the ball, hoping to knock him to the ground. He is an arrogant, self-centered man. For what he did to you, he deserves more than a broken nose."

Butterflies whoosh through my belly. "There's something wrong with me."

"What do you mean, mi vida ?" Alejandro scowls.

"You may have just broken my ex's nose and all I want to do is kiss you."

A blinding white smile flashes across his face. "Then I'm a lucky man, mi vida ."

I lunge forward, toss my arms around his wide shoulders, and kiss him until I need to come up for air.

"Thank you." He brushes his thumb along my bottom lip. "Now, let me take you to dinner. I have chosen a restaurant that I know you will like. It has a very large dessert menu." He winks.

I exhale with a sigh. "You spoil me."

He drops his head, brushing his lips against the edge of my ear. "Make no mistake, mi vida . I wish to give you the world."

Floating, I follow my wolf.