Free Alejandro by Renee LaRuse Page A

that she was in the laidback atmosphere on the patio looking out at the white sand beach and the amateur surfers on the waves. She wanted to feel confident and look her best today so that if Alejandro was hideous she would feel justified in making an emergency exit. Her silky black hair was in Kim Kardashian curls, and she wore a black dress with black lace sleeves and black heels.
    On top of looking like a call girl, she looked like she was mentally challenged, because she was clutching the stick end of a silver pinwheel for dear life. UnEarthly’s logo was a silver pinwheel. Seemed like a cute idea to show up to the first date with an actual pinwheel. The shiny foil toy was defective, hardly spinning at all when the breeze came in from the ocean. She peered down at her feet again and sighed. This is a hotel, after all. Maybe the waitress could bring me a little bottle of lotion.
    “Veronica?”
    A warm chill traveled along her spine. She was too frightened to look over her shoulder at the man standing behind her. That voice. Instead her eyes followed his shadow as he rounded the table. Her heart seized inside her chest for three full seconds when at last she met his green eyes and took in all six feet and two inches of him. He stood frozen and stared at her for a few seconds, before he sat down in the chair opposite hers and set the orange medium-sized gift bag in his hand at the foot of the table. Veronica gaped at him with her mouth open, too stunned to even squeak out a hello.
     “I’m not what you expected?” He smiled brightly but the lines of his forehead revealed his worry.
    Speechless, she slowly shook her head.
     
     

Seven
     
    Alejandro’s smile waned as her silence grew.
    Finally, Veronica blinked. The shock began to release its hold on her muscles. She regained use of her vocal chords. “You’re more than I expected.” Alejandro smiled wide again, causing a chain reaction of butterflies and yearnings in Veronica’s body.
    His skin glowed with a deep natural tan, making his green eyes pop like emerald jewels in brown sand, even though they were a bit bloodshot today. His stepmother did a good job waxing his eyebrows, leaving the natural arch of his brows untouched. Short stubble dusted his angular jaw and some of his cheekbones. The stubble was lighter than his dark brown wavy hair. The sensual pouty lips on that man made her cross her legs tighter. Beefy biceps and broad shoulders strained gently against the blue long-sleeved dress shirt he was wearing with brown linen pants. “I can’t believe it’s you,” Veronica murmured. Happy tears filled her eyes. She was moved to see his dreamy eyes become wet as well.
    “You look incredible, Veronica. I’m so happy to see you.”
    “And you look so handsome. But exhausted.”
    “Getting here from Puerto Rico wasn’t easy. There was a red-eye flight and a few layovers involved.”
    She chewed at her bottom lip, feeling terribly guilty. “You flew all the way from Puerto Rico to see me?”
    He smiled and nodded. “The flight didn’t hurt me. Don’t feel bad, nena . Everything going on with my family is what’s hurting me and draining all my energy. My grandfather founded a very big business, Veronica. His success allowed all of his family to be employed and prosperous as well. When he passed away, he left his company to me. I’m honored to head our family business, but there are people in my own family that have turned against me. My stepmother, my little brother, and others.” His eyelids grew heavier. Frown lines deepened around his mouth. “They don’t think it was fair that I was given so much power. I wish abuelo was here to guide me through this. The business is facing financial and legal troubles right now. I’m under so much stress and pressure.” He shook his head.
    Veronica dabbed the cloth napkin to the corners of her eyes. Her tears refused to stop flowing now that she knew more details of his despair. “I added to your stress