Chapter 14
CASSANDRA
Cassandra is in the middle of getting dressed when she hears Alex’s voice over the baby monitor. She quickly finishes up and heads to his room.
Emilio has already left for work, leaving her and Alex alone in the spacious penthouse. She thinks about taking Alex out for a walk. She could use some fresh air.
After Alex finishes his bottle, Cassandra takes him for a stroll around Times Square. The morning is warm and inviting, and the streets are already alive with people. Thankfully, there are no paparazzi lurking around.
Twenty minutes later, Cassandra decides to grab breakfast at a nearby café. After the workout she had last night and this morning, she’s famished. Then, she takes Alex to Bryant Park, nestled between Fifth and Sixth Avenue. It’s almost as famous as Town Square, with its lush seasonal gardens and free activities attracting millions of visitors each year.
Good thing I brought a blanket, Cassandra thinks as she finds a cozy spot under a tree. She gently lifts Alex out of his stroller.
“The morning air will do you good, sweetie.” She plants a kiss on his forehead. “It’s been a while since we’ve had some alone time.”
A soft breeze rustles her hair, and Cassandra feels a sense of peace wash over her. It really is a beautiful day.
An hour slips by before she decides to continue their walk. As she approaches a food kiosk, she spots Jake, the accountant from Rodriguez International.
“So, this is why you kept brushing me off,” he says, bending down to look at Alex.
“Yes,” Cassandra replies with a smile.
“He’s adorable. You don’t look like you have a baby. How old is he?”
“Six months.”
Jake straightens up. “You look great. What brings you here?”
“We needed some fresh air. What about you?”
“It’s my day off,” he says. “Let me buy you a coffee. No arguments. Just two friends enjoying a cup of coffee together.”
“Okay.” Cassandra lets him guide them to a nearby table, and then he heads to the counter to order two coffees and some pastries. When he returns, she says, “Thank you.”
“No problem. Next time, it’s your treat.”
She laughs. “Deal.”
“So, you and the boss,” Jake starts, and Cassandra nearly chokes on her pastry. “It’s true?” His gaze lands on her ring.
Why lie? “Yes.”
“I can see the resemblance between him and your son. Why didn’t you say anything? I thought you were single.”
“It’s a long, complicated story, Jake, but I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression.”
“No need to apologize; you were honest from the start. I’m the one who should apologize—I’ll never get to know you.”
“There are plenty of girls out there who would love to get to know you.”
“I wish.”
“I once overheard Emily talking about you in the break room, but don’t tell her I told you. She’d probably be mad at me for spilling the beans.”
“Emily.” Jake chuckles. “She always ignores me when she sees me. I tried to ask her out once but couldn’t gather the courage.”
“Well, now you know.” Cassandra takes a sip of her coffee. “Just ask her. I promise you, she won’t say ‘no.’”
He looks doubtful.
“Trust me, she won’t.” Alex starts to squirm in his stroller. “I guess you want your bottle now,” Cassandra says, lifting him up and cradling him in her arm. With her free hand, she retrieves his bottle from his bag and feeds him.
“You’re a natural,” Jake says.
“I learn as I go. They can be hard to figure out sometimes.”
“What’s his name?”
“Alexander.”
When Alex finishes his bottle, Jake asks to hold him.
“Sure,” Cassandra replies. “Just put him over your shoulder; he needs to burp.” She places a cloth over Jake’s shoulder to protect his clothes.
“He’s so tiny,” Jake says. “Good thing I’m not planning on having any.”
“Yes, they are. But you’re doing great. Once you meet the right person, I promise, you’ll change your tune.”
“Is that how it was for you with Alex’s father?”
Cassandra freezes. She and Emilio barely know each other. She’s attracted to him, but what happens when that attraction fades? What if she falls in love? Will it be with him or someone else?
Cassandra is so deep in thought that she doesn’t notice the hand that lands on her shoulder. It’s only when she feels someone stroke her hair that she looks up and sees Emilio standing behind her.
“Mr. Rodriguez,” Jake says.
Cassandra smiles up at him. “Emilio. What brings you here?”
“I called, but you didn’t answer your phone.” He looks at Jake. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”
“It’s my day off, sir.” Seeing Jake’s discomfort, Cassandra stands up and takes Alex from him. “He is cute,” he adds, for Emilio’s benefit.
Emilio doesn’t respond, so Cassandra says, “Thanks. Babies are adorable.”
Jake smiles. “Until they grow up and make you chase after them.”
“I’m dreading that day.” She straps Alex back into his stroller.
“At least you have back up.”
Cassandra glances at Emilio. He doesn’t look pleased at all.
The silence stretches on until it becomes uncomfortable. Jake finally breaks it, saying, “Guess it’s time for me to head out. Good to see you, Cass. Mr. Rodriguez.”
“Thanks for the coffee,” Cassandra replies. “Catch you later.”
“Same to you.”
Once Jake has left, Cassandra turns to Emilio. “How did you know I was here?”
“Just because I’m not always with you doesn’t mean I don’t know where you are or what you’re up to.”
She stares at him, shocked. “So, you’re having me followed now?”
“You’re about to marry a rich man, and you’re carrying my child—did you really think I’d let you wander around without protection? I can’t be with you every second.”
“No one’s asking you to. We don’t need protection… We’re safe, Emilio.”
“That’s what you think, Cassie, but the world is full of dangerous people. How can you be sure no one will try to hurt you or Alex to get to me?” He raises an eyebrow. “Tell me.”
“Emiliano—”
“You’re too trusting, too innocent. Not everyone is as good-hearted as you.” He walks over to her and gently cups her face. “You need to be careful.” His lips lightly brush against hers. “Anyway…I thought we were having lunch.”
“Sorry, I didn’t hear my phone. It’s in Alex’s bag.”
“Now that you’ve already eaten, what am I supposed to do?” As Emilio’s thumb traces her bottom lip, Cassandra shivers.
“I’m…I’m sure you can order something for yourself,” she stammers.
“Like what?” His other hand moves up her back and stops at the nape of her neck. His fingers start to massage her gently, making her toes curl.
“I…I don’t know, whatever you like.” Cassandra closes her eyes, savoring the sensations his fingers are creating.
“What if I want you?” he teases, and her eyes snap open.
“Uhm…I…you—”
Emilio smiles and kisses her. Hearing the murmurs and whispers of the people around them, Cassandra breaks the kiss.
“Come on,” he says. “Let’s go home.”
Emilio’s black SUV is parked right outside the café. He helps Cassandra and Alex into the car before stowing the stroller in the trunk. Cassandra buckles Alex into his car seat, and once they’re back at the penthouse and Alex is down for his nap, Emilio makes love to her.
Afterward, as they lie in each other’s arms, he says, “We’re leaving for Spain tomorrow.”
Cassandra lifts her head to look at him. “I don’t think we should rush into getting married. Why don’t we wait a few weeks to see how we do together, and then we can decide?”
He smirks. “There’s no need to wait.”
“Emiliano, think about this. What’s the rush?”
“We’re not having this discussion. We’re getting married this Saturday, and that’s final.”
Cassandra sighs. “I don’t think I can pretend to be the happy, married wife. Everyone will see right through me.”
“Why don’t I give you a few pointers? We can start practicing now.”
“Sex isn’t going to help with this.”
“But it can calm your overactive mind.” Emilio grins and rolls on top of her. “I hope you’re still taking your pill; I seem to enjoy you more when we’re skin-to-skin.”
He’s already inside her, setting a pace that has Cassandra moaning and writhing beneath him. He holds her tightly as she climaxes in his arms.
Afterward, sweaty and satisfied, Cassandra slips out of bed. Emilio really does have a big appetite, but then again, he’s a big, active man.
Before taking a bath, she decides to check on Alex. He’s awake, staring at the ceiling with his tiny finger in his mouth. She replaces his finger with a pacifier and heads back to the bedroom.
Emilio is lying face down on the bed, the sheets covering him up to his waist. Cassandra takes the opportunity to admire his perfect form. He’s the epitome of an alpha male; it’s a shame he isn’t really hers to claim.
As she heads to the bathroom, Cassandra scolds herself. She shouldn’t dwell on things that will never happen. Whatever is happening between them is for Alex; she can’t make the mistake of thinking it’s real. Emilio isn’t the type of man to fall in love with someone like her.
After her bath, Cassandra dresses in a black-and-white, floral dress with a V-neck and thin spaghetti straps that cross at the back. The dress fits her so snugly there’s no need for a bra. She ties her hair in a bun at the nape of her neck and heads back to the bedroom.
Emilio isn’t there, but she hears his deep voice on the baby monitor. He’s speaking in Spanish, and Alex is babbling back as if he understands.
Cassandra can’t help but smile. She never had a family growing up, and she always yearned for that stability, love, and care but never found it.
Alex will have two parents who’ll be there for him, who will love and care for him. She and Emilio might not love each other, but she owes it to Alex to give this marriage a shot. After all, he didn’t ask to be born, and if his father is willing to be there for him, why should she stand in their way?
Emilio interrupts her thoughts. “You want to share?” He’s sitting up in bed, Alex lying in the crook of his arm.
Her fiancé is wearing a pair of designer jeans, his chest and feet bare. Her eyes roam over his broad chest and flat stomach, and she swallows hard when they land on the trail of hair disappearing into his jeans.
How does this man manage to look so sexy all the time?
Emilio smirks. “All you have to do is ask, sweetheart.”
Cassandra realizes she’s been caught in the act of staring and a rush of heat floods her cheeks. She quickly tries to shift the focus. “Alex must be hungry.”
She’s about to dart past him, aiming for the safety of the kitchen to grab a bottle, when his words halt her in her tracks. “You look beautiful, Cassie.”
“Thank you.” The words tumble out in a breathless rush before she hurries downstairs.
Once she’s alone, Cassandra finally allows herself to exhale the breath she’s been holding. What happened to her resolve to keep her emotions in check around him? Why does he have to be so ridiculously good-looking?
