3. Alejandro

Chapter 3

Alejandro

I watch as Emily steps into the sunken living room. She does a slow turn, taking in the luxurious furnishings, the high ceilings, the oak wood floors, and the wall of crystal-clear windows that overlook a private infinity pool. She is impressed. And I'm filled with pride knowing I'm the one able to give this to her.

"You're rich." She blinks.

"I'm comfortable," I reply, moving to the fully stocked bar. "Would you like a drink?"

She shakes her head, scrunching up her beautiful face. "Are you part of an organized crime syndicate?"

"No." I laugh. "I have no criminal record."

"That doesn't mean you aren't a criminal. That just means you haven't been caught."

"You have a point," I admit, pouring two glasses of sherry. "However, I assure you I'm not a bad man, mi vida . Headstrong? Stubborn? Sometimes aggressive? Yes. I'm these things. But bad? No."

"Hmm. We'll see about that." Emily inches past the bar into the kitchen. "This is white quartz," she remarks, sweeping an elegant hand over the top of the counter. "It's too pretty to work on."

"I do not cook. I prefer to eat in restaurants or order room service. I hope this will work for you. Unless you would like me to hire a private chef to cook for you?"

"You would hire a private chef for me?"

" Sí ," I confirm, leaning against the wall. "Anything you wish." I met her a little over an hour ago and already, I want to give her the world.

Emily plops down on a kitchen stool. "This is insane," she sighs.

"Here." I hand her a glass. "This is Spanish sherry. After the day you have had, you could use this."

She stares at the glass but doesn't touch it. Ah, she thinks I spiked it. I switch her glass with mine. "Not all men are bad, mi vida. "

"I'm not so sure about that." She picks up the glass and takes a small sip. "Oh, my God. This is delicious."

"See? You can trust me." I grin.

"You're a wolf, remember?"

"I'm a wolf. But wolves are not deceitful creatures, Emily. They are possessive, monogamous, affectionate, and will mate for life. However, they only do this when the female is ready. What is most important to know about a wolf is that once they have found their mate, they will do anything, and everything, to keep her."

A soft pink blush hits her cheeks. "You've used the wolf line before, haven't you?"

"It is not a line. It is the truth." I finish my sherry. "I did a paper on the gray wolf in college."

"I see."

Her blue eyes drop to my mouth, and I hold my breath, praying she is going to kiss me. My pulse skyrockets. Sweat tickles the base of my neck as I wait, but her eyes dart back up.

"As soon as they deliver my luggage, I'm leaving. I don't know if I should take the hotel room they offered or just book a flight home," Emily says, draining her glass. "Either way, I can't stay here. It's wrong."

My bubble of happiness bursts. This is not what I wanted to hear. She can't go. Not yet. I want to know more. I need to know more. I'm not going to let that happen.

I point at the stool beside hers. "May I sit?"

"Sure." She shrugs. "This is your suite, after all."

"Earlier, you said your ex married your wedding planner and stole the honeymoon trip you paid for. Is that right?"

"It sounds even worse when you say it," Emily admits, closing her eyes and dropping her head. "I had such high hopes for this vacation."

"Do not give up hope, mi vida . Together we can make this the trip of your life."

"Really? And how will that happen? I'm not interested in running into my ex and his new wife, all lovey-dovey, in the hotel lobby. I've already suffered enough humiliation, thank you very much."

"Would you like to make your ex miserable?"

"What do you have in mind? Dropping a bag of red ants into his room?"

My heart pounds as her eyes light up. She has no idea how truly beautiful she is.

"Oh, wait. Please tell me you're a hitman." Emily claps her hands in delight.

"Nothing that charming." I laugh. "You will be my wife."

"Wait. What?" Her hand flies to her chest. "Your wife? You want me to marry you."

Yes, oh yes, that is exactly what I want. I want you to be by my side for an eternity.

"No, mi vida . We will pretend to marry in this very hotel." I cross my fingers behind my back, hoping this scheme will get her to stay. "We will invite all the hotel guests, including your ex. They will be invited to the wedding of a lifetime. We can have something special planned for every day of the week, if you wish. Whatever your heart desires, I shall get it for you. He will be green with envy that you have gone on without him. No man ever likes to be replaced."

"For the record, women don't like it much either. However, in this instance, I should have sent him a thank you card."

"So, what do you say, Emily Taylor? Shall we ruin the honeymoon of your ex?" I climb down off of the stool and get down on one knee. "Will you do me the honor of being my bride?"

"Yes, Alejandro Garcia, I will marry you."

My heart gallops as I press my lips to the back of her hand because I know, with every fiber of my being, that one day, my Emily will say yes to me… for real.