Free Love of a Marine (The Wounded Warriors Series Book 2) by Patty Campbell

massive and intricate headdresses took up most of the space. “Any pictures of you on that wall?”
    Ignoring his comment, she rolled her eyes and smiled.
    Santos rushed into the large space from the back of the studio. “Macfearsome, you brought Queen!”
    Cluny grinned and bumped fists with the boy. “Yep. My best girlfriend goes everywhere with me.”
    “Can I play with her?”
    Graciella laid her hand on her son’s shoulder. “It’s best if Cluny leaves her vest on while she’s here. We don’t know who may pop in unannounced. I don’t want to scare anybody away.”
    “She wouldn’t hurt anybody! Would she, Cluny?”
    “No, but your mom is right. We’ll find a time for you to play with her. Maybe we’ll go back to Zuma Beach one of these days.” He glanced hopefully at Graciella. “Amber’s been asking me when we’ll go again.”
    Santos bounced on his toes. “We’re going tomorrow, aren’t we, mama? You said we could.”
    “Yes, I did say that, didn’t I?” Eyebrows rising, she asked Cluny, “Would you and Amber like to join us?” The ironic tone of her voice didn’t escape his notice.
    He didn’t hesitate for a split second. He’d barely been there five minutes and he’d already accomplished his goal. “Absolutely. I was planning to ask if you’d be going this week. I don’t have many vacation days left. I promised Amber we’d get in a couple of trips this week.”
    “Well, it’s settled then.” Graciella flipped on the music. “Ready? Let’s see if I can eek a little Latin rhythm out of those gringo hips of yours. Santos, stand with your back to Cluny so he can copy your moves.”
    A couple minutes later, Graciella threw up her hands. “I’m beginning to think you’re hopeless. Change places with me, son. Watch us and see how Cluny does.” She turned her back and reached behind. “Give me your hands.”
    She placed them on her hips. He couldn’t breathe. Hands trembling, he coughed.
    “Relax, think of it as an exercise in feeling the beat. Close your eyes and sense the music. Let it take over your chest and legs.” She moved beneath his hands. “Follow me. Take a deep breath and let go.”
    The last thing he wanted to do was let go. With the music—he’d try—with his hands, no way. He did his best to concentrate on her quiet reassurances. If he wanted this to last, he had to control his libido, which seemed to have a mind of its own. He pressed his hands against her and breathed.
    “He’s doing it, Mama. Macfearsome’s doing it.”
    “Good, good. See, Cluny, it’s not hard.”
    Not yet, due to my amazing willpower. “I’m trying to concentrate on the music. I’m feeling it.” Then he relaxed and smiled past Graciella’s shoulder at the grinning boy. “Hey, buddy, maybe I’m not a hopeless white boy after all.”
    She stiffened. “I think we’ve made a good start. That’s enough for today’s lesson.”
    He’d have given the world to take back the words. “Graciella.”
    “Santos, would you fetch my handbag from the back? It’s time to go home for a lunch break.”
    “OK.” He scampered to the back of the studio.
    “Graciella, I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that. It popped out. I feel like a moron.”
    Santos came back, holding her bag out. “Here it is.”
    She took it and faced Cluny. “We have to leave now. The studio re-opens at two.”
    “Let me pick you up tomorrow. I’ll bring the van. There’s plenty of room for the four of us and anything we need to bring. Please.”
    “Oh, boy!” Santos’s innocent eyes widened. “That sounds like fun. What time should Macfearsome and Amber come tomorrow?”
    Clearly torn as to what her answer should be, Graciella shifted her feet and pushed the strap of her large cloth bag higher on her shoulder.
    Cluny jumped in. “How about ten thirty? I’ll bring lunch. Amber has an extra belly board Santos can use.” He put on a sincere face and pleaded with his eyes. Jesus, he prayed, please, I