Sold on You (19 page)

He felt like pulling her into his arms and kissing the starch out of her. Deep and carnal, his tongue would explore the depths of that mutinous mouth and he wouldn't stop there. He wanted to free her gorgeous breasts beneath the revealing dress and kiss their creamy roundness to his heart's content, to taste her skin and inhale her sweet scent. His groin stirred as he imagined her beautiful body bared to his gaze, her long, shapely legs wrapped around his waist. His upper lip beaded up as he fought the raw sexual urge tormenting him.

"Don't bother," she huffed, her haughty sniff snapping his attention back to the present. "
I
certainly won't be waiting up for your call. We'll talk tomorrow morning at the hospital." She turned and marched into the lobby of the building.

Marcos didn't pursue her. Better to let the spitfire cool off before he approached the subject again. At least she'd come through for him by pretending Nicole was the villain, as she'd put it. That explained the disapproving glances his grandmother had been giving him when she thought he wasn't looking.

He rubbed the back of his neck.

Aw hell, this was going to be a long night.

He could only hope that Nicole wouldn't be the attending anesthesiologist or she'd be clinging to him unprofessionally. He didn't like the change in Nicole since he'd tried to break things off with her. She'd gone ballistic when she'd heard about his trip to New York with Gabriela, even threatening to expose the ruse to his grandmother.

When she realized she wasn't going to get her way, the normally cool and poised Nicole had turned into a spiteful witch. To avoid a scene before their colleagues, Marcos had somehow managed to calm her down by promising to talk to her later.

He hated the snowball effect generated by his fake engagement. He'd only done it because he'd wanted to make his
abuelita's
dreams come true about him marrying and having children. But he had never counted on everything getting so out of hand.

He hadn't thought his grandmother would stay long enough to get to know Gabriela. Now that she had, it was obvious she was very taken with her and they got along famously. In a short span of time, they'd become friends, shopping together, cooking together, and even finishing each other's sentences.

Marcos felt a pang of remorse when he remembered how tired and frail Abuelita Coqui had looked after dinner. This could well be her last trip to the States. Unfortunately, he kept sinking deeper and deeper because of his deception.

And damned if he wasn't falling in love with Gabriela!

Chapter 11

The soulful sounds of a flamenco guitar played in the background when Gabriela returned to Marcos's condo.

"So?" Abuelita Coqui asked, turning down the volume. "How did it go?"

Gabriela grimaced. "Just as I expected. He tried to excuse himself by saying that Nicole kissed him and not the other way around. He said if we'd stayed long enough, we would have seen him tell her not to do it again."

"Oh, dear. And how did you respond to that?"

"I rolled my eyes."

Abuelita Coqui giggled. "Good! Don't let him off the hook too soon."

"Believe me, I won't." Gabriela craved a dose of revenge. She had every intention of putting him through the wringer after witnessing his cozy dalliance with Nicole.

"Marisol called while you were downstairs with Marcos. She's arriving early tomorrow morning and plans to stay overnight."

"What about the twins?"

"She has a housekeeper who will help Clay. What is your schedule for tomorrow?"

"I'm going to the hospital for about an hour in the morning to tidy things up and then I'm going to see Christy's father."

"Why?"

"I got Marcos to hire him. According to Christy, he's a good worker, but he hasn't been able to find work lately. He needs to provide for his family."

Abuelita beamed. "That was good of Marcos, don't you agree?"

"Yes," Gabriela said kindly. She could tell Abuelita had high hopes that Gabriela would come around about Marcos. "I should be free in the early afternoon to meet with you and Marisol."

"Perfect. It's only a two-hour drive from Miami. Marisol told me she planned to leave after she fed the twins breakfast."

Gabriela glanced at her watch. "I should leave now. I want to check in on Christy and her baby before I head home."

"Good night, dear. I'll see you tomorrow."

Gabriela kissed Abuelita Coqui's cheek and left.

* * *

Gabriela thought about Abuelita Coqui and her "plan" as she drove to the Fresh Start Center. Part of her was dreading whatever Marisol and Abuelita Coqui would cook up for Marcos' comeuppance, yet she was flattered that his grandmother was determined to be her champion.

Marcos had seemed distraught earlier when he was trying to explain his kiss with Nicole. Gabriela softened a bit, wondering if he'd somehow been telling the truth.

There you go again, wanting to believe the best when it comes to Marcos.

She stiffened her resolve and pulled into the parking lot, glad for the distraction. As she entered the drab concrete building of the Fresh Start Center, Gabriela decided to allocate funds for fresh paint and a little landscaping to cheer up the residents. She could always approach Sabrina about another fund-raiser in the spring.

But this time it wouldn't be a bachelorette auction.

Gabriela was delighted to find Christy's mother upon entering the room. Holding Santi in her arms, Señora Ramirez sat in an old, worn down rocker and talked baby gibberish with him.

"Congratulations on your beautiful grandson," Gabriela said warmly.

"Gracias.
Señorita Morales, it's so good to see you," Señora Ramirez extended her calloused hand to greet her as she rested her round cheek against the baby's head. She indicated the cot beside her, the only other piece of furniture to sit on in the sparsely decorated room. "Please sit down."

"Where is Christy?" Gabriela asked, perching on the edge of Christy's bed.

"She's taking a shower. I told her I'd burp Santi after his feeding and change his diaper." Señora Ramirez shook her head. "This little one finally settled down. He's been fussing most of the evening. My poor daughter. I wish I could help her more. I miss her terribly." Her tired brown eyes filled with tears. "I wanted to take them back home with me, but my husband, Joaquin, won't allow me to."

"Maybe it's better if they stay here for now. Does your husband have a bad temper?" It was a blunt question, but she needed to know before she counseled Señora Ramirez on taking in her daughter and grandson.

"No, he's a stubborn mule, but he's not violent. He would never harm Christy. She's our only daughter and he used to dote on her... until she got pregnant. He wants her to stay home and take care of her baby."

"Do you think he'll change his mind?"

Ana looked down sadly. "I hope so. I want Christy to have a better life. I've been praying every day to St. Jude for a miracle so I can bring them home where they belong. I could help her with Santi while Christy finishes school."

Señora Ramirez carefully put the sleeping infant face down in the bassinette beside Christy's narrow cot. When he started to fuss, her plump hand patted his diaper-clad bottom soothingly until he quieted. She looked up at Gabriela with despondent eyes. "Christy shouldn't be without her family. She has suffered enough."

"She won't be alone. There are other moms like her here. She has a mentor to help her adjust to motherhood."

"That's good. But there's no one like her
mami,
who understands her moods and loves her," Señora Ramirez said with a plaintive sigh.

Christy entered the room wearing an oversize flannel pajama, her short-cropped hair still damp from the shower. "Ms. Morales, I'm so glad to see you!" she cried, rushing over to hug her.

Gabriela returned the hug, then pulled back to look at her. "You look good. I was just visiting with your
mami."

"Isn't it great she came?" Christy asked, taking a seat beside Gabriela on the cot. "She sneaked out when Papi fell asleep."

Señora Ramirez shrugged. "I fed him a big dinner and when he fell asleep, I left."

"What will happen when he wakes up and doesn't find you there?" Gabriela asked, worried for her.

"Hmph!" Señora Ramirez snorted sarcastically. "After the tequila he drank, Joaquin will sleep for a
long
time. He was snoring like a wart hog when I left."

Christy giggled suddenly and Gabriela caught herself staring at the young girl's sweet face, grinning openly. There was still hope for Christy, she told herself, appreciating the amused look exchanged by mother and daughter. Despite the man's obstinate, narrow-minded behavior, they both loved him.

"Well, I just wanted to check in with you and see if there's anything you need. When is the next appointment with the pediatrician?"

"I'm going to the clinic the day after tomorrow. They're going to check if Santi's gained enough weight."

"I'm sure he'll be thriving," Gabriela said, smiling at Christy. "I'll leave you with your
mami,
so you can have a nice visit. Give Santi a kiss for me when he wakes up."

"I will," Christy promised. "Thanks for stopping by."

Gabriela rose from the cot. "Remember I'm on vacation the next two weeks. If you don't find me at home, you can always reach me on my cell. Remember that Mrs. Munson will be covering for me. You'll be able to reach her right away at the hospital if you can't reach me."

"Okay, thanks," Christy said, looking grateful. "Hopefully, there won't be an emergency situation."

"Exactly. Anyway, I'll be in touch with you." Gabriela clasped Señora Ramirez's hand and shook it before leaving.

* * *

The following morning, Gabriela put the finishing touches on her makeup and hair, then dressed in her navy wool suit. It was a far cry from the glamorous clothes from Saks, but she'd run out of new things to wear. At least the high-heeled black suede pumps gave the suit a different line than the low-heeled ones she usually wore.

A half an hour later, Gabriela approached the nurses' station in the obstetrics ward. She was ready to take Marcos on
and
snooty Nicole. "Has Dr. Calderon arrived?" she asked Nurse Fisher at the counter.

"I haven't seen him yet," she replied.

"I'll be in my office at this number," she said, handing over her business card. "When you see Dr. Calderon, please tell him I need to speak with him as soon as possible."

"I will," Nurse Fisher said, her mouth curving upwards. "Anything else?"

"No, thank you. I'll be waiting for his call."

"Aren't we all?" said the middle-aged nurse. A collective peal of laughter rang out from the two other nurses working at the counter.

Gabriela forced herself to smile back even though she was in no mood for banter. Standing before the elevator, her mouth formed an O of surprise when the doors opened and Marcos stepped out.

"Hey, I was just calling you at home." His rich baritone assailed her senses. "I didn't expect you in today. Aren't you on vacation?" He gave her a quizzical look.

"Technically, yes. But our trip to New York delayed a few things I needed to take care of."

"Do you have time for a cup of coffee?" he said, smiling warmly.

"Yes, if you do." The last place she wanted to meet with Marcos was the hospital cafeteria, but how could she refuse when he asked her so nicely?

"I always have time for you," he said, making her pulse quicken as his gaze swept over her.

"Oh," she mumbled, aware that all ears were cocked as the nurses watched from the desk.

He placed his hand on the small of her back and led her into the elevator. Gabriela breathed deeply and tried to ignore the rush of excitement at the feel of his warm hand resting on her waist. While they rode down, he glanced at her and winked. "I'm glad you're not mad at me anymore."

Boy, the charm was turned on full force this morning, she thought, studying the lazy grin that accompanied his wink. "Who said I wasn't mad at you?"

He seemed taken aback by her response. "You agreed to have coffee with me right away, so I figured you'd gotten over it."

She gritted her teeth. "What was I supposed to do, refuse you while the nosy nurses looked on? That wouldn't exactly be prudent, would it?"

"I guess not." He gave a slight squeeze to her waist, then removed his hand when they reached the cafeteria. "Well, here we are. How do you take your coffee?"

"Two creams, no sugar," she said, taking a seat at a small table near the glass wall.

Marcos returned shortly with two Styrofoam cups filled with steaming coffee.

"Thanks," Gabriela said, receiving the cup and placing it in front of her.

Marcos sat across from her and drank his coffee. "I was telling you the truth last night about Nicole," he said flatly.

"Oh?" She raised her brows. "What part was the truth?"

"Everything. I sure as hell didn't encourage her to kiss me. You must not have gotten the full picture from where you were standing."

"I know what I saw. Bottom line is, you're a player and I don't want to play that game. If you're capable of conning someone as lovable as your grandma, you're capable of lying to me, too."