Resplendent (21 page)

She walked over to me in her sexy little summer dress. Her own cheeks pink from the sun and long hair pulled back in a ponytail, the smile never left her face.

“You need help, Chef?” she asked innocently, her hands behind her back.

Funny girl.

I turned off the grill and began placing the burgers on a plate. The hotdogs were already on a separate tray. I swung my arm over Peach’s shoulder and pulled her toward me. I pinched a hotdog with my fork and moved it closer to her mouth.

“Here, why don’t you taste this and let me know how good it is?” I asked her, just needing an excuse to see her open her mouth.

She glanced at it for a second before sticking out her tongue and slowly licking the tip of the hotdog. Then she opened her mouth wide as fuck and took a big bite, closing her eyes and moaning — now my favorite sound in the world. That fucking moan. I placed the fork down and stared at her face. Eyes closed and jaw working. I imagined her mouth around my dick and instantly grew hard. I pulled her closer to me and hid my fingers in her hair. She slowly opened her eyes and swallowed. Fucking swallowed. I think I almost heard the swallow even with Lucky barking.
Was she a swallower or a spitter?
I adjusted my shorts. She placed her lips against mine and whispered, “Yum,” before pecking me on the lips and pulling away. Only I didn’t let her. I kept my arms around her and whispered back.

“You staying over tonight?” I asked, begged, wished.

The corners of her mouth turned upwards and she batted her long lashes. “Are you serving me dessert?”

“If you want it?”
Please say yes.

She placed her index finger on the corner of her mouth and tilted her head.

“Hmm.” She smiled wickedly. “Life’s too short. Eat dessert first.” She winked and pulled away to call Victoria and Jared inside, announcing the food was ready.

I watched the sway of her hips as she walked inside the house and quickly followed with the plates of meat, closing the French doors behind me.

It was just the four of us seated around a six-piece marble top dining table I had purchased recently. I smiled at the fact that it matched the design of my kitchen to a T. I’ve been looking for something like it for years and hadn’t wanted to remodel the kitchen my dad built. I wouldn’t be doing that anytime soon since it was still really modern.

As if hearing my thoughts, my sister complimented my taste. “Nice table, Dre. So much better than that ratty thing we had to use.”

I smirked at her and starting putting the condiments on my burger. Hold the mustard.

“Have you ever thought about expanding?” Jared asked me between bites of food. I put some salt on my corn and turned it over.

“I have actually. The business has been steady for a while now, and I want to maybe branch out and travel more.” I took a bite and decided the corn needed butter.

“I have a friend that’s selling his business in Orlando. He has clientele that’s bummed about it and is looking for someone to take over the location.”

I raised my eyebrow. “Why’s he selling if he has clientele?”

“He’s moving to Canada.” He shrugged and took a swig of his beer. “He’s an older guy and
doesn’t
want to worry about expanding and traveling back and forth.”

I took a minute to think this over. A business in Orlando might be good for me, but I’d really need to look for someone I could trust. It might be a quick one-hour flight, but I wouldn’t know what went on with the day-to-day operations.

“I can make a trip up there and check it out,” I said, finally. I grabbed my burger with one hand and rubbed Peach’s thigh with the other, raising my hand a little so it hid under her skirt.

“You want to go up with me?” I asked hopefully. It’d be our first time going to Orlando together. Just like the semi-plan I’d started at the beach.

Victoria’s eyes widened, and she held up her hands excitedly. “Oh! If you do come up with Andres maybe you can take some pictures of the kids at my camp. I want to do a collage for their parents!”

Her face glowed. “Really?” Peach squeaked. I didn’t even know she could squeak. “That would be great! I’ve been meaning to diversify my portfolio.”

“Yes! If you give me some business cards I can pass them around. You never know if you’ll both want to do business in O-Town.” Victoria winked at me and I grinned. I liked the sound of that. I ran my finger along Peach’s inner thigh and turned to Jared.

“Okay, we’ll go up next week.” I took a bite of my burger. Jared nodded at me, but Peach lowered her eyes.

“Oh, I wish I could, but I’m planning on looking at some studio apartments so I can move out by next week.”

What? I didn’t know that.
I chewed my meat slowly then swallowed.

“Next week? Why?” I asked.

“My landlord has a family that needs the space. This was only supposed to be for a few months anyway.”

She shrugged as if moving was a non-issue, but how could those assholes kick her out just like that?

“A ‘few months’ should be longer than a couple! Why didn’t you tell me?” I probed.

“Nothing is for sure, I haven’t found a place yet.”

I put my food down and stared at her. “But you still could have told me you needed to move in a week.”

“It’s not a big deal,” she insisted and frowned.

But it
was
a big deal. Some greasy haired pervert might give her the shaft. Or what if she moved to a bad part of town, she hasn’t lived here for eight years! Also, I’d need to make sure my weekend was open, so I could help her pack her stuff.

I looked over at Jared. “Just let me know if your guy can speak to me over the phone, or we’ll set up a meeting next month.”

Savannah stared at me dumbfounded and placed her hand on my arm. “No Dre, don’t be ridiculous. Now’s your big chance. Go see if opening in another city is going to be worth it. You have to do it soon or he’ll find someone else to buy it.”

Jared nodded. “She’s right. Victor needs to move ASAP. He’s not going to be happy about waiting.”

I glared at him and Peach squeezed my arm. “Well, my girl comes first, so if
Victor
needs to leave then it wasn’t meant for me.” I rubbed her thigh with my thumb.

Victoria interceded, just like she always does. “Andres, what’s your problem? This is a good opportunity for you to grow.”

I scoffed.
No, thank you. I spent enough time ‘growing’.

“Savannah needs me to help her move
and
she needs pictures for her portfolio,” I stated simply. End of story. Why was that so hard for everyone to understand?

“Don’t worry about me, I just need a truck and some boxes. I don’t have much.” Peach was nervously glancing over at V and Jared, who were now staring between the two of us. Who cared what they thought? They’re family! She reached under the table for my hand and gave me a reassuring squeeze. “Besides, there’s still time for camp, right?” We both glanced at my sister.

Victoria nodded and I dropped the conversation.
For now
.

I kept eating my food in silence. Slowly the conversation picked back up again with the three of them, but I stayed quiet and brewed over my own thoughts. Why didn’t she want me to help her? Did she think I couldn’t do it because I hadn’t been able to before? Maybe she thought I didn’t make enough money. I didn’t know what that douchebag Sebastian did for a living, but I was damn sure I could support my family. She probably thought I was the same twenty-two-year-old loser that needed Daddy and just wanted to go out for a good time. Well, fuck that. I’d gotten my college degree, obtained and managed an office, and had a staff of people that helped me get things done. We’d come a long way from just remodeling kitchens. We did tile, paint, landscape, and I was already looking into roofing. I wasn’t in the Forbes Top 100, but I could get my bills paid, travel, and live comfortably. I sure as hell could take care of what was mine.

V and Jared left shortly after dinner, and we said our goodbyes at the door. Before Victoria could walk after Jared to the car, I grabbed her arm and pulled her aside.

“You’re happy with him, right?” I stared at her, looking straight in her eyes. If she was lying or hesitated, I’d be having a serious talk with Jared about his upcoming marriage proposal. She smiled instead and a little bit of light shone in her eyes. That face said it all.

“Yes, big brother, I am.” She wrapped her arms around me and gave me a hug. “Stop worrying about me,” she whispered in my ear.

But I’d been worrying for so long, I forgot how to stop. I hugged her back and then waved goodbye as they pulled away.

I locked the door and headed over to the kitchen to clean up. Once everything was put back in its place, I walked to my room and found Peach in one of my T-shirts, flipping channels. I took off my watch and placed it on the dresser. The stainless steel hitting the wood made her turn her head and she smiled at me. I walked closer to her and rubbed my chin with my index and middle finger.

“Why are you wearing my shirt?” I asked. It was a simple question, but it took her smile away. She left the remote on the bed and walked past me.

“I can put my clothes back on.” Uh, no. I grabbed her arm and held her back.

“What I mean is — why don’t you have any of your own pajamas here?”

She frowned at me and tilted her head. “We’ve never talked about it before.”

I noticed she was twirling her fingers in front of her.

“Well, let’s talk about it now.” I took a step forward.

She let out a laugh but then stopped when she saw how serious I was. She placed her hands on either side of my face. “What’s gotten into you?”

“You think I can’t take care of you?” I asked, straight to the point.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and she bit her lip before answering. “Of course not. I don’t think that.”

I pulled her arms down and held her hands in mine. “Are you sure, Savannah? Because I can,” I said confidently, but it would be easier to erase any doubt she had if she would speak up about it.

She smiled instead; a sweet smile that I had fallen in love with years ago. “I know you can. I also know you want to help me.” Fuck. That was an understatement.

“I don’t think you should rush into apartment hunting when you can stay here with me and take your time. This house is all mine, and there’s plenty of room.”

She trailed the bridge of my nose with her index finger. “I made appointments this week already.” I opened my mouth to protest, but she pressed her finger on my lips. “
If
I don’t find anything, then I’ll take you up on your offer. Deal?”

I thought about that for a moment. I wasn’t too happy with it, but I didn’t think she’d find anything great in a week. I banked on that, actually.

She looked at me quizzically, pleading with her eyes. Asking me if we were okay, if we needed to discuss things further. I guess for now it’d be fine, but as soon as I came back from Orlando, we’d work things out so she would agree to stay with me a little longer. I didn’t want to keep waiting.

“All right,” I told her.
For now
.

She pursed her lips and reached under my shirt. Her fingers felt cool as they tiptoed their way along my stomach. “Now how about that dessert?” she flirted.

Well, she should have brought that up from the beginning. I took a quick step forward and grabbed under her ass to lift her up, and carry her toward the bed. Her laughter caused me to smile against her cheek before I leaned down to kiss her.

I pressed my finger firmly against the doorbell. Hearing the familiar Westminster chime, I stepped back and waited for the door to open. My hands smoothed down my sleeveless coral Henley top and white shorts. I looked down at my new, gold leather flat sandals with diamante beaded detail, and wiggled my toes. The colors complimented my tan from the beach stay with Andres two weeks ago. I smiled as his face popped up in my mind, his lips kissing me on that very spot I was now touching. His whispered promises of a future I had once only dreamed of now looked to be more of a reality. The door swung open and Lola stared back at me.

“Hola, Nena,” she greeted me warmly.

I stepped into her arms and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Hi, Madrina.”

Lola pulled away and gave me a once over. “Look at you, as beautiful as always.”

I smiled and followed Lola into the house. “Gracias, Madrina. How is everything with you?”

The delicious scent of potatoes, chicken, corn, and veggies hit me. I immediately walked straight to the kitchen. I pulled the lid off the pot and took a whiff. My aunt was making
ajiaco
.

“Que rico,” I said and placed my hand on my stomach.

“I know it’s your favorite. It’ll be ready in just a few minutes.” Lola put on her glasses and started going through the mail. “Tell me, what’s new with you?”

I shrugged and opened the drawer of utensils, looking for a spoon. “Not much, I’m done packing. I’m going to start moving tomorrow into my new studio.” I scooped up a little bit of the soup and closed my eyes, savoring the taste. It was almost ready, just needed a little bit of salt. “When I’m settled you both can come up and see it.”