I pull back before I change my mind and give in to the lust. After what she’s been through, I never want her to regret it. “So do I. Anything that has you in my arms all night is a fabulous plan.”
Esperanza and I enter the reception hall and draw attention from several of the guests, who wait for a scene to erupt. Of course, that brings Emiliano’s eyes to us. Seeing our clothes still look pretty neat, he nods and then approaches with Roxie’s hand in his, using his cane in the other. “We would have walked over to you,” Esperanza says, which garners a look of embarrassment from her son.
“Thank you, Mama, but I can walk a few feet. Todo esta bien?”
“Perfect.” The genuine smile on her face makes me want to ask her to marry me this instant because she truly means it. I’m crazy about her in a way that I can’t put into words, other than to say it’s pure love.
“Good. It’s about time to eat, but I’d like a word with you if I could.” He tilts his head my way, and I point my hand toward the exit.
“Lead the way.” I don’t bother to offer my assistance or treat him like he needs the help because he’s a man who doesn’t want to be seen that way, especially in his own hotel.
“Follow me.” We walk down the hall and then someone approaches.
“Mr. Martin, is everything all right, sir?” He’s a large man in a suit, eyeing me with suspicion, given that we’re both exiting the reception that Emiliano should be in.
“Yes. Excuse us.” The man turns on his heel and immediately departs without having to be told twice.
Emiliano opens the door to what looks to be his office. “Please have a seat.” I take one of the two seats in front of his desk, and he takes the other. “So, I don’t want to imagine you two fucking. I sure as fuck don’t need that on my wedding day, but I want to know everything is okay. Everyone else might not see it, but I could tell she was crying.” His glare is icy cold and the threat is there.
“It wasn’t anything I did or said. We were discussing our pasts. It got a little personal, and she revealed probably more than she wanted to say.”
“She told you about her past?” He cocks his brow upward.
“Yes. I don’t know all the details. We weren’t upstairs long, but yes. I know about your father and her life before and after. I’m proud of her for making the tough choices and raising you the best way she knew how.”
“Thank you. So am I. She must really like you.”
“I hope so because I have no intention of having a fling.”
“Now, I’m not in the proper shape right now, but I’m just warning you that, should you break her heart, one day I’ll come for you.”
“Well, that shit ain’t happening. You must understand that sometimes you meet someone and just know. We’re much older and our time together is a lot shorter, but it’s not any different.”
“Fuck, my life could have been a lot shorter than any of us expected, so I get it. But you better be planning to make an honest woman out of her.” He chuckles and then stands. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve spent more than enough time away from my bride than I ever care to do again.”
We shake hands and head back to the party to see two anxious women waiting for us, and easily, I give my woman a smile.
Over dinner, conversation moves smoothly and thankfully no one says anything to get their asses kicked so I can steal a moment of peace just looking at Esperanza. God, she’s beautiful. I get that she’s older and feels that the subtle lines age her, but they don’t in the least. I stare at her, never seeing a sexier woman. She doesn’t realize the overpowering confidence she has in her movements when she’s engaged with anyone else but me.
“She’s perfect for you.”
“Thanks, Garrett,” I say to the head of the Steele Riders.
The music begins, and the bride and groom go in for their first dance. I watch and ache to take my woman for our first dance, but I know I must bide my time.
As Emiliano takes his mother into his arms and dances with her, I think about how happy she is, and the smile on his face is just as proud. That’s a love I missed out on, but I promised to spoil the shit out of the kids of the Steele Riders as if they were my own grandbabies, because what else can I do? I swallow the lump in my throat, and then I feel a tap on my shoulder. It’s Roxie’s father.