6. Emily

Chapter 6

Emily

"You deserve the world, mi vida . Your ex made a grave mistake in not treasuring you." Alejandro drops his forehead to mine. "Your wolf is smart. He will not make the same mistake."

A wave of longing washes over me as he gazes into my eyes. My throat tightens and my chest starts to ache as I wish that all of this was real – the suite, the ring, the proposal, this handsome, intelligent, rich, hypnotic man. But it isn't. I have to remember that.

"I hope you didn't mind me calling you mi rey ." I sniffle. "But something came over me, and I just wanted to give Joshua a taste of his own medicine."

"Mind?" Alejandro gives me a bright smile that sends my heart flying. "Absolutely not. I very much liked it. Although, I was not certain you knew exactly what you were saying. Because as we know, mi vida , your use of the Spanish language could use some work."

"You're right about that." I laugh. "I promise I'll get better. Thank you for the unbelievable show you put on. It honestly felt so real. I'm still in shock." I hold up my hand. "This ring is a girl's dream."

"It is yours."

I sigh. "Well, for a few days anyway."

"No, mi vida . It is yours. I chose it for you."

"No." I shake my head. "I can't accept this."

"Let us talk of this later." He squeezes my waist. "I'm not ready to go to sleep yet. Would you care to go for a walk?"

"Yes!" Thrilled my time with him was not over yet, I grin from ear to ear. "I would love that. I have a craving for gelato." I hook my arm through Alejandro's. "What about you, my handsome fiancé? May I treat you to a delicious dessert?"

"Are we talking about the gelato?" He wiggles his brows.

My pulse races while my body trembles at the thought of being Alejandro's dessert.

"Worry not, mi vida . I'm teasing." He kisses the top of my head. "If you want gelato, you shall have gelato."

My breath catches in my throat while my heart pounds against my ribs as I imagine my wolf naked. Quickly pushing that thought away, I start walking. "Just for the record, I will be paying."

"Is that so?" He chuckles.

"You aren't going to let me, are you?"

"Is it important to you?" he asks.

"Yes."

"Then you shall pay."

"You are too good to be true," I murmur.

"Why, mi vida ?"

I stop and turn to face him. "You are devastatingly good-looking and single. Generous to a fault. A knight in shining armor who rushed in to save me from peril. In the span of a few hours, you were able to get this gorgeous ring in my exact size. You crushed my ex-fiancé like a bug with just one look." I swallow the sudden swell of emotion. "You make me feel pretty and happy. And accept me just as I'm."

Alejandro stops moving.

I hold my breath, worried I've said too much, that I have been too honest.

His eyes roam my face. " Mi vida , you are more than pretty. You are beautiful. Inside and out. Anyone who would try to change that or not accept you exactly as you are is but a fool."

"Where did you come from?" I whisper.

"We are destiny. Remember?" He takes my hand. "Come, my queen. Your gelato is but a few blocks away."

As we walk down narrow streets alive with happy people and rippling with frenetic energy, I realize something about me is different. Normally, I would be self-conscious at the side of a man, constantly comparing myself to the stunning women dressed in brightly colored costumes as they dance across the cobblestones clapping their hands, snapping their fingers, and swaying their hips. Yet, I'm not. Beside Alejandro Garcia, I feel confident. Secure at his side. Safe. Special. I'm able to just be, enjoying every sight, smell, and sound without feeling replaceable or not good enough.

"There's magic in Madrid," I sigh.

"There is magic everywhere, mi vida . You just have to look."

"Hmm." I squeeze his hand. "You are a very wise man, Mr. Garcia. Tell me, are you ready to tell me what you really do?" I shut my eyes and pray he isn't a criminal.

"I'm an entrepreneur."

"Does that mean you own your own business?"

"I own many businesses."

"Oh." Well, that explains the suite, his expensive clothes, and the diamond on my hand. "But are they criminal enterprises?"

"No." He shakes his head and laughs. "I own restaurants and I own the Paradise Hotel chain."

My mouth drops open. "You own the hotel. The entire chain?" I almost fall over.

" Sí . My father left it to me in his will."

"Wait. If you own the hotel, how come the staff doesn't act as if they know you?"

"Because they do not know I'm my father's son. I have not told them because I honestly do not know what I'm going to do with the business. We were never close. My father took care of me. He sent me to the best schools. Provided me with the best of everything life had to offer, except for a relationship with him."

"That is so sad, Alejandro. I'm so sorry. I should not be asking you such personal questions."

"I'm an open book to mi vida ." He gives me a small smile. "My father lived a long life. Not a happy one. The Paradise Hotel chain was my father's dream. Not mine."

"What is your dream?"

We stop in front of the gelato shop. He strokes the side of my face with his thumb while his eyes blaze into mine. I find it hard to breathe, and it isn't because of the dry, hot night air. It's the man in front of me. He's so undeniably sexy and sweet that my blood is humming through my veins like molten lava.

"I came to Madrid with no dream." His voice deepens. "And then you came, mi vida . Parting the clouds of my dark sky and drenching me in the rays of your sunlight." He bends down and brushes his lips against mine, whispering softly, "You are my dream."

My heart soars. And I plunge headfirst into the deep waters of Alejandro Garcia, praying I don't drown.