Emery
Kaya and Alejandro arrived back in Barcelona on Monday. We’d let them have the day to recuperate from jetlag, but I’d told her in no uncertain terms I wanted to see her Tuesday afternoon come hell or high water. She and Jandro got to his parents’ house just after noon, and we’d spent the next hour eating lunch in the backyard so that Elvis could get himself some Kaya time. Little man was in his element in that huge yard with all of the people he loved best there to hang out with. After lunch, we told him we were going out for a while and then we bundled Kaya and Jandro into the car and drove off.
“What’s the surprise?” Kaya whined from the backseat.
“You’ll see in about ninety seconds,” I answered as we turned onto the street our house was on.
Our house. I still couldn’t believe we’d bought a house together. Although it belonged to both of us, Rafe had stubbornly refused to accept half of the money from me. Everything I suggested was met with a firm no. I said I’d pay for the renovation; he said no. I said I’d pay for a new pool and all new landscaping; he said no. I said I’d pay for all the furnishings; he said no. The man was stubborn with a capital S.
“I wasn’t looking for you to buy me a house.”
“I bought us a house,” he’d answered.
“You know you’re missing the point,” I grumbled. “I feel weird having you pay for everything. I’m not a succubus.”
He burst out laughing and pulled me into his arms. “You could never be a succubus, Miel.”
“People will think I’m taking advantage.”
He frowned. “It’s our business, Emery. No one is entitled to know about or pass judgment on the way we live our lives. And just so you know, it isn’t pride or some strange me Tarzan, you Jane mentality that has me wanting to pay. My Uncle Quino left a substantial amount of money to us in his will. His final wishes were clear—he wanted the five of us to use that money for something that would positively impact our lives. My father suggested that we use it to purchase homes when the time came, and that’s what I’ve done for us, Dulce Niña. Even with the cost of the house and the renovations, there will be a lot left.”
Once he explained it like that, I got it. Putting that money toward the house was his way of honoring his uncle. I loved how family oriented Rafe was. Our house was the icing on the cake where he and I were concerned, and I was beside myself with excitement to show it off. I had a huge grin on my face as we turned into the driveway. Just like the first time, I felt in my bones that the house was meant to be ours.
“Oh my God,” Kaya squealed from the back. “You bought a house, didn’t you?”
I nodded like a bobblehead as I turned around and gave her a big cheesy smile. “We did. I know it needs a lot of work—”
“But it’s perfect,” she said. “I can see that it’s got incredible potential.” Unbuckling her seatbelt, she jumped out of the car and slammed the door behind her. I hopped out at the same time and looped my arm through hers as I pointed to the front entrance.
“Just wait until you see the view from the balcony. It’s unbelievable.”
From behind us, I heard Alejandro asking his brother practical questions about the house and our plan. As they spoke, he asked how hard it had been to find a home in the same neighborhood as their parents. Grinning, I jabbed at Kaya with my index finger.
“I think he wants us to be neighbors.”
The way her face lit up with excitement told me she wanted that, too.
Once inside the house, we took them from room to room as we filled them in on what, exactly, we planned to do with each one. When we showed them the view, Alejandro was nearly green with envy. “This is probably the best view of the city I’ve ever seen,” he raved. “You guys lucked out.”
Kaya said the same as she took a dozen photos with her phone. “Look at all the room down there for Elvis! He’s going to shit, Em.”
I loved touring the house with them. Seeing how excited they were for us made it that much sweeter. Since I was not above a little peer pressure, I turned my sights to Alejandro. “Just saying, I’d be thrilled if you moved Kaya up here. I found a few other amazing houses in the area that you two should probably look at.”
Kaya groaned. “Don’t pressure him.”
Laughing, Alejandro pulled her from me and wrapped his arms around her. Staring down at her adoringly, he traced her lower lip with his thumb. “I feel no pressure, Belleza. If living close to Emery would make you happy, that’s what we’re going to do. If it makes you feel any better, my parents would probably explode with joy if three of their sons lived within walking distance—especially once we start having kids.”
Kaya’s whole face lit up as she leaned into him, but my eyes were glued to Alejandro because he was frozen in place. His expression was full of guilt and panic as his eyes darted to his brother. Turning to Rafe, I found him shaking his head at Jandro like whatever had just happened was no big deal.
“It’s okay, Jandro,” he assured him. “I’m not going to melt down.”
When Kaya turned my way to gauge my reaction, I realized that what she’d wanted to tell me—what I’d been waiting for Rafe to reveal—had something to do with children. My mind spun out in a dozen different directions as possibilities popped up like dandelions on a freshly-cut lawn. The one that stuck was the idea that maybe he couldn’t have children. As much as it hurt me to think about never having a little version of him running around, I knew I’d gladly create our family in whatever way made us both happy.
Anxious to get rid of the tension in the air, I grabbed Rafael’s hand and tugged him back into the kitchen. “Come outside so I can tell you all of our ideas for it,” I called over my shoulder.
* * *
We went to bed early that night, partly because we couldn’t keep our hands off each other but also because I couldn’t stop yawning. The Spanish air and sunshine in combination with the nonstop lovemaking with my Spanish lover meant I was sleeping like the dead each night. I wasn’t upset about it in the least.
Curling up against Rafe, I traced my finger over his chest as he ran his hand up and down my arm.
“I’m so excited that we get to start doing touristy stuff tomorrow,” I said. “Park Güell has been on my list of must-see places for so long.”
It was true—I couldn’t wait for the following day. I’d held to my promise to Kaya not to explore Spain without her. With the two of us finally together, Rafe and Alejandro had declared it time to show us everything. We were starting with breakfast in Barcelona at a small café before we headed to .
“I can’t wait to see it all through your eyes,” he answered huskily.
I smiled against his chest as I snuggled in deeper. “It’s going to be awesome,” I said through a yawn.
“Close your eyes, sleepy girl,” he teased.
I chuckled as I did just that. “It’s your fault you know. You wear me out.”
He snickered. “I’m pretty sure it’s the other way around, Miel.”
I let out a tired sounding giggle as I started to drift off.
“Love you,” he murmured.
“Love you too,” I answered. Seconds later I fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
“I can’t believe we’re here,” Kaya said for what had to be the hundredth time.
We were walking side by side, each of us holding the hand of our man. Rafe and Jandro were incredible tour guides, and we were all having an amazing time.
“Me too,” I answered.
We’d made a vow when she was fourteen and I was sixteen that someday we would get our butts to Spain for an extended stay. There had even been talk of backpacking through the country. Something about the history and culture of it had always fascinated us—along with the hunky Spanish men, of course.
That we were both living in Spain and attached at the hip to two of the sexiest Spaniards alive was incredible.
“Dreams come true,” I said, squeezing Rafael’s hand as we looked at some of the beautiful tile mosaics that ran throughout the park.
As we strolled through the park, the sound of flamenco guitar filled the air, making the experience that much better. I hadn’t realized that there would be live music in and around the park, but I loved it.
I grinned as Rafe gestured to one of the famous tile benches and said, “Let’s get a picture here.”
Kaya had brought her big camera, so the pictures we were getting were going to be worthy of framing. Rafe sat first and then pulled me into his lap, sliding his arms around my waist. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and pressed my cheek to his as Kaya took several shots. As she did, Rafe turned his head and whispered into my ear, “Kiss me, Miel.”
He never had to ask me twice. I turned to him and covered his lips with mine, letting out a sigh of contentment as he slid his tongue into my mouth. He kissed me deeply for about thirty seconds before pulling back and setting his forehead against mine.
“Dios, te amo.”
I grinned. “I love you, too.”
Everything was great until a grating female voice ruined the moment. “Mira lo que tenemos aquí.”
The person had said ‘look what we have here’. The way Rafe went solid beneath me, his face turning to granite as he looked over my shoulder, told me something was very wrong. That’s when Alejandro started cursing.
“You stupid fucking cunt,” he snapped.
My eyes just about bugged out of my head in shock. I’d never have believed Alejandro had that kind of anger in him had I not heard it myself.
“No, Jandro,” Rafe said, his voice tight. As he spoke, he lifted me off his lap and set me down gently on the bench. The care he showed me was in direct opposition to the look of absolute disgust and rage on his face.
“I’ll deal with her,” he said.
I stood and took his back as he stalked toward the woman who had spoken. Her overdone makeup and too-tight clothing gave her a hard and somewhat haggard look. With her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed, she was giving off a bitch vibe that I was picking up loud and clear.
“This trash isn’t supposed to be anywhere near us,” Alejandro spat out.
The woman turned and glared at him. “Fuck you, Alejandro” she hissed. “You and your family are the only trash around here.”
“Enough,” Rafe barked, his tone drawing the attention of the people around us.
“When you saw that we were here you should’ve walked. The. Fuck. Away. Instead, you decided to come over here and start your shit. Remember later that, like everything else that’s happened in your life, you did this to yourself.”
As he spoke, Theo and Guillermo, the two guards that had quietly been following us throughout the day, took up position next to the woman.
“Really?” she sneered. “You’re going to turn me in just for saying hello?”
Rafe held up his hand to stop the guards as they moved to cut her off from saying anything else.
“If this violation of your restraining order sends you back to jail, so be it. If I had my way, you’d rot there for all eternity.”
Her eyes were dark and angry as she lifted her chin and glared at him. “Don’t act like you’re so smart, Rafey” she said, her tone glacier cold. “You’re not. None of you are. I had your whole family believing a lie—and it couldn’t have been any easier.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Kaya holding Alejandro back. Before I could look closer, Rafe let out a dark-sounding laugh.
“We were smart enough to get you out before you did any permanent damage. My brother is right—you’re nothing but fucking trash.”
It was like she couldn’t believe he was talking to her the way he was. When she narrowed her eyes and grinned, I knew whatever came next was going to be a doozy.
“And yet you’ll never forget me,” she said smugly. “Don’t write off my accomplishments, Rafey. I hurt you plenty. Speaking of that, how’s Ava doing these days?”
A guttural sound came out of Rafe at the same time Alejandro let out a harsh growl.
I shivered when Rafe smiled coldly. “Ava is thriving, unlike you. You lost, Francesca. Big time. You should’ve stayed away,” he said again. “For four years we didn’t get involved. We let the legal system handle it, and we never went after you or yours. That ends now. By the time my family and I finish with you, there’ll be nothing left.”
She sputtered as she gaped at him, apparently surprised that he wasn’t taking her shit. I had no real clue about precisely who she was or what was happening, but I was no fool—she was the bitch responsible for hurting Rafe. Therefore, I was not even a little bit sad that he was fighting back.
“I’m fucking done with you, bitch. You stepped over the line for the last time—and I’m going to derive some pleasure out of shutting your shit down permanently. When you get your phone call from jail for violating the terms of your probation you should probably use it to tell your parents that their days in Barcelona are numbered,” he said, his tone like an avalanche of pure ice.
Francesca let out a string of angry curses in Spanish, but Rafe just laughed before he nodded to the guards. “Remove her and call the police. Be sure to let them know that Alejandro and I will both be filing complaints against her for violating the restraining order. We’ll do whatever we need to do to squash this bitch.”
“Fucking right we will,” Alejandro said firmly.
I’m not sure what I expected, but when Rafe turned around, he slung his arm around my shoulders and dropped a kiss on top of my head. As he did, Francesca started screeching in Spanish. Rafael didn’t even spare her a glance as he guided me away from her, Alejandro and Kaya at our sides.
As we walked, I leaned into him and asked, “Are you okay?”
He nodded as he looked down at me. “I’ve got you, Miel. I’m so much better than okay it’s a little scary.”
Later, after he’d finished explaining who she was and everything she’d done, I wished I’d had the chance to slap her. Knowing what she had done to him broke my heart for two reasons. The first was that I hated that he’d been hurt—and the second was that I worried she’d destroyed his desire for children. We were young enough to wait for quite a while to start a family, but waiting was different than saying no to having them out of hand. I wanted babies—and I needed him to want that, too.