Page 79 of Ignacio

She, however, intended to take full advantage of this day off. Between recording the additional songs for the album and attending promotional events, she had a packed schedule.

She stretched lazily and blinked sleep from her eyes, recalling her conversation with Ignacio when she returned from seeing her family a few days ago. He had been in the kitchen eating dinner.

Ignacio perked up when he saw her. “You’re back earlier than expected. How did the conversation with your father go?”

Seeking comfort, she walked over and slid between his thighs. One of his arms curled around her waist, anchoring her to him.

“It was difficult, but our conversation went better than I thought it would. No real drama to speak of.”

Ignacio’s eyebrows lifted in mild surprise. “Shocking.”

“I might have also threatened to let the world know what he allowed.”

“Ahh, I see how that could make him willing to accept your plans. How do you feel?”

Delta rested her hands on his shoulders. “It’ll take some getting used to. My father has been in control of my career since I was a kid.”

“But you’re okay?” His eyes searched hers.

“I will be.”

He studied her for a moment and then nodded, trusting her words. “What did Vivian say when you proposed moving in?”

She smiled. “She wants to move in with us.” Having her sister with her was important, and she was happy Vivian accepted the invitation. She and her sister could continue to look out for each other. Winding her arms around Ignacio’s neck, Delta held his gaze. “You know what I need right now?”

He smirked and teasingly pumped his hips twice against hers.

She giggled. “Not that.”

“Oh, my mistake.” His grin was filled with pure mischief. “What did you have in mind?”

“A nice warm bath.”

Slowly, he traced circles along her lower back. “Excellent idea. Take your time to relax and enjoy your bath. Later, when you’re ready, tell me everything that happened.”

After a relaxing bath filled with lavender crystals, Delta recounted her conversation with her father in detail, and then they cuddled in the living room and watched TV.

Yawning, she rolled out of bed and padded into the bathroom. She went through her morning routine and then brushed her hair into a sleek ponytail. She added earrings and dressed in dark jeans and a cashmere sweater.

She and Ignacio were going to exchange gifts and then pick up Vivian so she could join them at his family’s place. They had purchased gifts for his nieces and nephews and for the Dirty Santa game they were going to play after everyone ate lunch together.

Her parents had flown to Mexico for a two-week getaway. She assumed they wanted to escape after the confrontation at the house. She still felt a bit of guilt because she’d fired her father but knew the decision would be better for her in the long run.

Delta went downstairs to the kitchen. While making coffee using Ignacio’s espresso machine, she heard the distant sound of the front door opening and closing as he returned from his run. Since Maria had gone to spend Christmas with her family, they were on their own for meals, so she whipped up a batch of cinnamon-cranberry muffins. That way, they’d have something to eat before lunch at his mother’s estate.

She hummed as she worked and realized she was happy—in a way she hadn’t been in a long time. She wasn’t just happy, she was blissful.

She stopped stirring the muffins.

Blissful.

As an idea came to her, she began humming again.

By the time she was taking the muffins out of the oven, Ignacio entered the kitchen, impossibly handsome in a black long-sleeved shirt and black jeans. The scent of his shower lingered on his skin—a clean, pine scent that was undeniably masculine. The crisp bite of his woodsy cologne mingled with hints of fresh soap and made her want to slip her fingers under his clothes and press her nose to his chest to breathe him in.

“Good morning, Merry Christmas,” he said, drawing in a deep breath. “Smells good in here.”

“Merry Christmas! We have coffee and muffins for breakfast,” Delta announced, placing the hot pan on a silicone trivet.

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