Page 23 of LA Reign

His jaw flexes beneath my palm. “She’d better hurry.”

It’s only been two weeks since Lucia arrived. Tomorrow, she turns seventeen, and we both agreed that it was an event that should be celebrated, even when she tried to brush off such a suggestion. Alejandro made the reservation at one of those places where everything is expensive and deliberate, and Lucia has been spinning in circles all day trying to decide what to wear. We went shopping earlier and she couldn’t choose between five different outfits. I bought them all because I couldn’t bear to watch her choose. Because I remember what it feels like to be a teenage girl and want everything at once.

Alejandro sighs, long and even more impatient, his gaze still fixed on the stairs like he hopes to will her into existence. Then, finally, he looks at me, and the shift is immediate. His eyes are softer. Darker. Possessive.

His hand slides over my hip, fingers pressing into my curves like he’s been starved of contact. “You look beautiful, princesa,” he says, voice lower now. “Red suits you.”

Heat blooms beneath my skin. I glance down at the dress, at the way it clings to me like it was made to betray every line of my body. I chose it for him, knowing exactly what effect it would have.

“You think so?” My voice comes out lighter than I feel as I step closer, my hand resting against his chest, feeling the steady, dangerous rhythm beneath. “I’m glad you like the color.” I hesitate, just for a second, then lean into him, letting my lips brush near his ear. “It matches my panties.”

“Fuck,” he exhales, the word roughly dragged out of him.

“They’re see-through too.”

“Careful,” he murmurs, his tone so dark and captivating that it has heat coiling low in my stomach. “Or we’re not making it to dinner.”

A shiver runs through me, sharp and electric. I press my forehead lightly against his chin. “You can’t ruin tonight. I told you she’s been excited all day.”

He huffs, but there’s no annoyance in it now. “She’ll forgive me when she sees her gift.”

She probably will. The car arrives tomorrow morning—an extravagant and generous gift that caught me off guard. Alejandro doesn’t do things halfway, but this…this feels special. He didn’t want Lucia here, but every day he’s changing for her. Growing softer and yet more protective. I study his face, a man of so many contradictions.

He looks down at me then, really looks, and whatever he sees there makes his expression darken again. His body presses closer, and the world narrows to the space between us.

He squeezes my ass. “I’ll deal with you later,” he murmurs, his lips grazing mine. A promise more than a threat. Maybe a little of both.

My pulse spikes. I let myself lean into him, just for a second—just long enough to feel unsteady.

“Oh my God. Can you two not for, like, five minutes?” Lucia’s voice breaks the moment clean in half.

Alejandro winks at me, his hand dropping from my ass. I turn to the stairs, still catching my breath, and see her. And for a moment, everything else fades into the background. She looks radiant. The aqua-blue dress catches the light with every step she takes, and her hair is freshly styled and gorgeous.

“You look beautiful, Lucia,” I tell her honestly. Another thing I remember about being a teenage girl, the way you can stare at yourself in the mirror and both hate and love what stares back at you.

She twirls at the bottom of the stairs, a little shy and also a little proud.

Alejandro nods, his voice steady and calm. “You do, chica.”

A blush spreads across her cheeks, soft and fleeting. “Gracias,” she says quietly. I have double the reason to take those Spanish lessons now, and she’s been helping me out with a few more words.

“Right,” Alejandro says, staring at his watch again. “Can we finally go now, ladies?”

An hour later, we’re sitting on the terrace of the restaurant looking out over the ocean. This place is truly spectacular.

“I think this is the most beautiful view I have ever seen in my life,” I say with a contented sigh.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Alejandro says. He winks at me, devilish and sexy, and I realize he isn’t talking about the ocean.

Lucia watches us, giggling behind her soda glass.

“What’s so funny?” I ask.

“You two,” she replies with a dramatically teenage eye roll. “You’re so sweet together.”

Alejandro frowns. “Sweet?” He sounds deeply offended.

“Yeah. Like whenever you’re near to each other, you’re always touching.”