Page 61 of Seductive Desires

Tears burned my eyes and my chin trembled. I threw my arms around his neck and he pulled me into his lap. He pet my hair and continued to rock us until I could calm down.

“You’ll never survive a Chicago winter.”

His warm chuckle rumbled under my cheek. “I guess you will have to keep me warm then.” Pervert.

I leaned back enough to look at his face. He didn’t look upset or even put out at the thought of relocating. He just gave me an easy going smile before he looked back over the water.

“What about a compromise?”

He glanced back at me, intrigued. “What do you mean?”

“I’d like to come back here at least once a year. To visit Carmen. And I’m sure you’d like to go home to see your family too. We could spend the colder months in the winter seeing our families so you won’t become a popsicle.”

He cupped my face. “You are more than I deserve, mariposa. I love that idea.”

“Que lindo.”

I tipped back, looking over Mateo’s shoulder. Carmen and a few women I didn’t know stood a few feet behind us. One of them was waving a hand in front of her face while the others all had wistful looks. I felt my cheeks burn. Shooting out of Mateo’s lap, I hurried around the swing to hug Carmen. She squeezed me tightly before releasing me.

“Mija, these are more friends of your mother’s and mine. They are going to walk with us.” They all smiled and waved, introducing themselves. When they were done, all eyes swung behind me and a few jaws dropped. I couldn’t help but giggle.

“Everyone, this is Mateo. My fiancé.”

Carmen’s eyes went wide and she jerked her attention to me. While the other women all squealed and cooed over Mateo, Carmen pulled me aside.

“I thought you had no boyfriend?”

I glanced over my shoulder at him. “He came all the way here to get me back.” When he smiled at me, I fell harder for him. I glanced back at Carmen. She had a knowing look on her face.

“You love him?” I nodded. “He makes you happy?” I nodded again, ducking my head. I’ve never had anyone grill me about a guy like this before. “Then, I am happy for you, mija. But if he hurts you again, he should know I know how to get blood out of absolutamente anything.” She raised her voice loud enough for him to hear that last part. I couldn’t help but laugh when his face dropped and he paled a little. The rest of the ladies all burst into giggles at his reaction.

ChapterThirty

Carmen grilledMateo the entire walk to her house. She forced him to walk a little ways ahead of me so she could have his full attention. When he told her he was a businessman, I had to cover my laugh with a cough. I walked behind them, surrounded by the rest of the women my mom was friends with. One of the women, Luisa, patted me on the back lightly.

“So, Mariana. What do you do?”

I smiled at her. “Right now, I’m an assistant to a talented artist in Chicago. Once I finish my degree, I hope to eventually become a traveling professor. I want to see more of the world.”

Another woman, Rosa, beamed at me. “Your mother would be so proud. She always wanted great things for you.”

Mateo glanced over his shoulder. “I am proud of her too. She works very hard.”

It seemed to be the right thing to say because all of the women started complimenting him and fawning over him. Even Carmen looked charmed by him. I smirked. As someone who fought hard against his charming demeanor, I knew how hard it was to resist him. No one should be that good looking and that charming all at once. It was dangerous to all single women.

My phone chirped. Amari was in the city. I stopped to text her the address we were headed to. When I fell behind, Mateo doubled back, wrapping himself around me.

“I’m coming. I just don’t walk and text. I always end up tripping.”

He pressed his face against my neck, breathing me in. “I understand. But I promised you I wouldn’t leave your side. Besides, I needed an excuse to end the interrogation. I think your Mama Carmen is suspicious of me.”

I giggled. “She should be. You are very shifty, with your secret job and your easy going nature. I bet you charm all the ladies.”

He hummed lightly, walking us forward without releasing me. “There is only one woman I am interested in charming, mariposa. She is a curvy brunette with wild hair and a mean right hook.”

“So, Luisa then?” I snickered. He nipped my neck.

“Come on, you two. We are almost there!” Carmen called, waving us forward. Mateo grabbed my hand, interlacing our fingers. We hurried to catch up to the group and for the rest of the walk, Mateo refused to let go of my hand.

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