Reckless Kiss

“Because you’re a rich white boy.” Lourdes slants her eyes at me. “Of course you do.”

I hold up a hand. “Privilege, I know. But she’s made good decisions—”

“Financially.” Lourdes is blunt, but she’s cool. As far as I know, she’s the only person in Angel’s life who knows we’re together. “Anyway, thanks for helping.”

“Glad to do it.” I lower my nose to the top of Angel’s head, inhaling the familiar scent of jasmine. I’ve missed her so much.

She lifts her chin to kiss my lips. “Why are you so good?”

“I’m not so good.” Our eyes meet, and heat filters between us. I want to take her back to my apartment and make up for lost time.

“Jeez-um… Can you two give it a rest?” Lourdes lifts the baby from her hip. “Here, Romeo, try some reality on for size.”

She passes the baby boy to me, and I hold him up a second before bringing him to my chest. “Hey, big fella. He’s a bruiser.”

Angel is beside me, tracing her finger along his arm rolls. “He’s adorable—oh!”

We all jump back when Bruiser wobbles and then barfs all over me.

I look down at the white stream running down my Armani. “That’s gonna stain.”

“Tito!” A young woman rushes up to me, taking the baby. “I’m so sorry!”

“It’s her fault.” I point at Lourdes. “She shook him up.”

“Come with me.” Lourdes catches my arm not even hiding her laughter. “I’ve got a damp cloth in the kitchen.”

“Oh no.” Angel stiffens and abruptly walks away from us.

“Angel?”

She doesn’t reply, but instead goes straight to a man I don’t recognize. He’s about my height with dark hair and eyes. He looks a few years older than us, and he’s standing beside Juliana, looking down at her with a stern expression.

I start to follow when Lourdes grabs my arm. “Hold up, Chief. Don’t go over there.”

My eyes are on Angel, and when the man sees her,

his scowl softens just a bit. He pulls her into a long hug, closing his eyes.

“Who is that guy?”

“That guy is Roberto Treviño, also known as Beto Treviño.” Lourdes says his name with a deep exhale. “Also known as Carmie’s older brother.”

“Brother…” I study his face.

Now I see the family resemblance, but where Angel is sweet and light, this guy is dark and angry. He surveys the facility from under a lowered brow, even as he smiles at his sister.

“Is something wrong with him?”

“Like what?” Lourdes pulls me into the kitchen.

“He seems pissed.”

She glances over her shoulder once more as the swinging door closes. “That’s just his face.”

“Well, good. I can go and introduce myself—”

She grabs my arm again. “Give Carmie a minute. Trust me on this one, okay?” I don’t like it, but she reaches for my coat. “You’re a big mess. Give this to me.”