Page 52 of Naughty and Nice
Framing his cheeks with my palms, I kissed his lips. Once inside the door, he gently lowered me to the floor. It was then I realized someone had been in the apartment. The tree lights were on, sending LED colorful illumination over the marble floor. The disarray from José’s death and my sudden exit was gone.
I walked to the fireplace in awe of the stockings hanging there, one with my name and one with Nick’s. “How did you do this?”
“It wasn’t officially me.”
“Who?”
“Mom and Aunt Valentina. They asked what they could do. I knew I wanted to bring you back here, but things have been busy…they said they’d love to get our home arranged.”
Maria and Valentina.
I ran my fingers over the stockings. “What about José and Renata’s room?”
“Go look.”
Nick followed behind as I walked the hallway to the left to their suite. My chest ached as I opened the door, remembering José. When I turned on the light, the room flooded with illumination. The king-sized bed was made. Everything was clean.
“It’s ready for our new guards.”
My smile dimmed. “I wish I could tell Renata how much I appreciated them and let her know I’m married.”
Nick’s eyebrows quirked. “Yes, you are.” He reached for my hand. “There are fresh groceries in the kitchen. Mom even filled the refrigerator with some of Marcela’s specialties.” He tugged me closer. “We can honeymoon undisturbed for a day or two.”
“I can’t believe Maria and Valentina did this.” I leaned against his solid chest.
His arms encircled me. “What were the two of you talking about earlier tonight?”
“She asked if we could start over, this time as mother and daughter.”
“My dad must have?—”
I nodded. “He told her about my parents, but it was more than that. When I married the first time, I was younger than their children. Gerardo expected me to fit in with them as a sister-in-law, but I didn’t. I never felt welcomed. I was probably scared to talk to anyone, afraid they’d see how miserable I was.”
He kissed my forehead. “He’s gone.”
My smile returned. “He is, but what Maria said tonight meant a lot to me. And as it happens, I’m currently empty in the mother department.”
“Mom sees that I’m happy with you. That makes her happy.”
I dropped my forehead to Nick’s chest and sighed. Inhaling, I took in his cedar scent and looked up. “I’m happy. I’m truly happy for the first time I can remember.”
“Come.” He reached for my hand.
We walked back to the living room and past the tree. The lights reflected in the tall windows that led to a small balcony. The city of San Diego twinkled all around us. He led me down the other hallway.
“The last time I walked into this bedroom…” he said.
“You saw me naked.”
“No, I didn’t. Tonight, I will.”
A dozen roses were on my bedside stand. Our blankets were turned back with rose pedals on the pillows and comforter. “Your mom thought of everything.”
Nick spun me around by my shoulders. “What am I supposed to do with these bows?”
“There are buttons.” A laugh bubbled from my throat. “And I believe there is a row of eye hooks beneath them.”
“What the fuck is an eye hook?”
