Page 26 of Who's Loving You

“I still don’t feel right with you driving alone. Would you mind if I at least followed you?” Oh, hesowants to bone her. “Lover man won’t mind if I drive his precious car, will you Nic?”

“Uh, I guess not. Just be careful with my baby. She’s delicate and needs to be treated with love.” Chase rolls his eyes then takes Lucy’s hand, escorting her out of the restaurant.

Nico holds onto me and I simultaneously want his hands off of me and all over me. Lucy looks over her shoulder at me and mouthsoh my gaaah. I snort as does Nico. We finally get to our cars and break off. Lucy to hers, Chase to Nico’s, and he and I to mine.

“Nice whip, mi Reina.” His eyes sparkle when he admires my black Lexus LC.

“She’s delicate. Don’t hurt her.” I try to wink at him but I’m pretty sure I just blink both eyes like an owl.

With a chuckle, he takes my keys that clumsily dangle from my fingers, and helps me inside, buckling my seatbelt for me. I close my eyes and inhale.

“Now who’s the one smelling whom?” He asks, remembering how I questioned him in the limo last night.

Was that just last night?Why does it feel like it was weeks ago? Probably because my concept of time is clouded by tequila.

He slides into the driver's seat and fires up the engine. The way he caresses the steering wheel is like a man touching a naked woman. He peels out of the parking lot, my tires squealing, and my body jerks, tugging against the seatbelt. A minute passes by and myhead falls to the side, my eyes blurry but clear enough to see his handsome face.

“Nico.”

“Yes, mi Reina.”

“Please don’t make me fall for you. I can’t afford a broken heart.”

And then the world goes black.

9

NICO

“Nico.”

“Yes, mi reina.”

“Please don’t make me fall for you. I can’t afford a broken heart.” I practically lose control of the car hearing the words that fall from her mouth.

Buttoned up Valentina would never say something like that to me. I may have only just met her weeks ago, but I know this to be a fact. I guess it’s true what people say…drunk words are sober thoughts.

Her head lolls and she falls asleep, soft snores spilling from her beautiful mouth.Does this mean she likes me?Why else would she say that? Now I’m thinking that straightening up and being agood boymay not be so bad if I can be with someone like Valentina San Ramón.

When we pull up to her place, I have no idea where residents park and even if I did, I’d have no clue as to her parking spot. I decide to park right in front of the main entrance and see the same valet rushing towards me.

Does this man ever sleep?

“Good evening sir,” he greets.

“Hey. Um, Ms. San Ramón was unable to drive this evening and I’m not quite sure where to park or where her apartment is so that I can help her up. Would you be able to help me with that?”

“Of course. First, I need to see if you are on her approved list.” He takes two steps away but I reach out and hold onto his arm.

“I doubt I am. Yesterday was the first time I’ve been here. Maybe there is a way you can let me pass just this one time.” His jaw clenches and the look in his eyes tells me he walks a straight line when it comes to the rules. “Maybe I can wake her a little.”

I run around the car and open her door. She moans and slowly rolls her eyes open, and lifts her arm like it weighs a hundred pounds. Though I know it’s not her intention, her hand lands on my cheek with a smack.

“Am I dreaming? Please say that we didn’t have sex.”

I clear my throat. “No, beautiful. We didn’t have sex. But we are at your place and I can’t help you up unless I’m on your approved list. Do you think you can stand long enough to tell your nice doorman to let me in?”

Her heavy eyes wander to where he stands just behind me, then back to me. With great effort, she spins her legs and I immediately move to help her out. I steady her, wrapping my arm around her waist, and she rests her weight on me.