Page 45 of A Coffee Away

“I think that took care of the problem.” He laughed.

I punched his arm. “Cabrón! I almost died. You know I hate them.”

“I know.” He grinned mischievously, then brushed my disheveled hair back. “It will be perfect. They’re very down to earth.”

I fixed my hair in the mirror as he parked. “I hope so.” I closed my eyes, breathing slowly. “I’m ready.”

I grabbed Esteban’s wrist as he was about to leave the car. “Wait.”

He sat, his brow furrowed. “What is it? Is something wrong?”

I swallowed dryly. “Please don’t tell your parents about what Mom and Dad did. I don’t want their pity. If they ask, make something up. Can you?”

He gave me a soft smile, then cupped my cheek. “Of course, love. Don’t worry.” He kissed me sweetly. “I love you. And I promise everything will be fine.”

I grabbed his nape and pulled him back for a second kiss. It started soft, but the moment my tongue clashed with his, it became heated. We kissed for a long time until my troubles were no more.

“Wow.” Esteban shuddered, touching his temple to mine. “That was…”

“Orgasmic?” I smirked. “Out of this world?”

Esteban chuckled, but his features softened immediately. “Beautiful.”

My heart skipped a beat, and my chest tingled with something pure. Deep. “I love you. Thank you for everything.”

When our breathing settled, we left the car.

At the front door, Esteban snaked his arm around my waist and held me to him in a short kiss. The doorknob rattled.

“Oh!” Esteban’s mother opened the door wide as I pushed him away.

Esteban laughed silently.

She was in her late forties but looked much younger.

“I’m Gina.” She fixed a strand of her long, auburn hair, then touched my arm. “Great to meet you, Robbie. Esteban hasn’t stopped talking about you, and now I see why.” She gave me a once-over.

“Mom…” Esteban huffed.

She kissed his cheek, then pulled me inside. “Don’t mind my son. He hasn’t brought a boyfriend to us since the last one years ago. But don’t worry. You’re much more handsome than he was.”

I stopped mid-step. He’d brought him here. To his parents. The mystery man who broke him for years was right on this doorstep years ago. The peace that had enveloped me after our kiss shattered in that instant.

Why wouldn’t he tell me about it? What had that man done to him?

I glanced at Esteban.

He wasn’t a shy man at all, but in this moment, with his head to the ground and his avoiding stare, he looked the opposite of secure.

Gina furrowed her brow but went ahead.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

After kissing my temple, he grazed my ear with his mouth. “I’m sorry. I promise we’ll talk later.”

I forced down the urge to take him back to the car so he’d explain everything to me. “I’ll hold you to it.”

He ruffled my hair and grabbed my pinkie. “Promise.”