7. Alejandro

Chapter 7

Alejandro

It takes me a minute to collect myself. I've laid my soul bare to this woman. Much to my surprise, I have no regrets. In fact, I feel lighter. Happier.

Her presence gives me a joy I've never experienced before.

And for the first time in my life, I have hope. Hope that I'm not destined to live the solitary life my father lived. Hope that with Emily at my side, my poor, tired heart will now sing.

Stunned at these revelations, I usher my Emily to the counter. "Would you like a cold water while you decide the flavor of gelato you would like to have?"

"That would be divine. This heat takes some getting used to."

I laugh. "There are no summers where you are from?"

"Of course, there are summers, silly. But I'm from the coast of Maine. Summers get a little hot, but it's not as stifling as Madrid. Back home, there's always an ocean breeze. I miss the ocean."

"Would you like to visit the ocean here? We can go tomorrow."

"Yes." Her eyes light up. "I would love that."

"Then we go tomorrow."

I take my water from the cashier and swallow a big gulp. " Gracias ." I drop money in a tip jar.

The cashier hands Emily her water. " Gracias, estoy mucho caliente ." She smiles as she rattles off Spanish.

I choke on my water, spitting it out all over the place. The young boy behind the counter rushes off in a blur of black and white. "You must not speak Spanish without using the app, mi vida . Please, I implore you." I dab at my shirt with a napkin.

"Why? I know that was right. I said, thank you, I'm very hot."

"No." I shake my head trying not to laugh too hard. "I'm very hot is tengo mucho calor . What you said was, estoy mucho caliente ."

"What did I say? Wait…don't tell me. Oh, forget it. Just give it to me straight." She blanches, terrified.

"I'm very horny." I chuckle. "That young man will never be the same. Go sit at a table, mi vida . Tell me what you would like, and I will order for you. I will also let him know your Spanish needs work."

"I think he knows that already." Emily pouts. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you."

"Embarrassed me?" I kiss her on the forehead. "I haven't laughed this much in years. And you keep me on my toes, mi vida . I like that."

I pay for two bowls of pistachio gelato and bring them to the table.

Emily grins. "I love sweets." She picks up her spoon and dives in.

I'm not prepared for the sight. My pulse stutters to a stop as I watch her lips slide across the spoon. She tips her head back, closes her eyes, and lets out a moan that shoots straight to my groin.

"This is Heaven."

Yes. Yes, it is.

Her tongue comes out and licks down the handle to catch the drippings of the melting gelato. Her eyes catch mine and she stops. "You're not eating your dessert."

"I'd rather watch you."

Her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink. "Sorry."

" Mi vida , you must stop apologizing for being you. I like you just as you are. Although…" I put my arms on the table and lean in. "I never thought I would be jealous of a spoon."

Emily's blush deepens. "I don't know what to say."

"Say nothing. Eat your gelato and mine, too." I wink.

Our eyes stay locked and the air around us is suddenly charged with electricity. I have to slide my hands off the table and grip the edge of my chair to keep from kissing her. "You are not eating."

"I feel uncomfortable now."

This is not what I wanted. I take a deep breath, release the chair, and pick up the spoon. "Allow me to feed you."

"That's not necessary."

"I want to, mi vida ."

"Only if you share it with me."

"Then I shall share it with you." I scoop out some gelato, take a taste, and then share it with her.

She hesitates for a moment and then a slow, lazy smile spreads across her face as she opens her mouth for me. "Mmmmmm. I love dessert."

I scoop out more. "I now love dessert, too."

Her blue eyes twinkle with mischief. "I never knew eating gelato could be sexy."

"Neither did I." I take the last spoonful out of the bowl and feed it to her. "Perhaps I should invest in some gelato shops."

She tosses her head back and belly laughs. "You're serious, aren't you?"

"Absolutely."

Suddenly, she releases a yawn so big her jaw cracks. Her hand comes up to cover her mouth. "Oh, my. I think the traveling and time change has caught up with me."

"I shall take you home."

Home.

My stomach drops. I haven't called any place home since I was a boy. I've spent years living at boarding schools and college dorms and then moved on to staying in hotels as I traveled for business or rented a temporary apartment here and there. But I have not had a home or thought of having one in years.

I want a home…with Emily.

I'm in way over my head. But I'm not turning back now.

"I shall call us a taxi." I take out my phone.

"No. Please don't." She yawns again.

"You are tired, mi vida . The walk will be long in the heat."

"Yes, that's true." She dips her eyes down. "But if we walk, I can spend more time with you."

This woman is more than my dream. Without knowing it, she has become my sanctuary. My refuge. My oasis.

I realize that, whatever happens between us, my heart is now in her hands.

I get to my feet, offering her my hand and so much more. "Then we shall walk, mi vida ."