Paul kept his eyes covered until he heard Alex’s bedroom door close. Then he dropped his hands, shut off the light and headed for bed, hoping the progress he’d made with Hope tonight wouldn’t disappear in the morning.

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Still reeling from what he’d learned in the kitchen, Alex got back into bed with Jenny.

She slid into his arms. “What took so long?”

“Paul came in from the yard wearing only underwear. I had to get the scoop.”

“Is there scoop?”

“Oh yeah. He was at Hope’s.”

“Wearing only underwear?”

“Yep.”

“So does that mean… Paul and Hope?”

“Apparently.”

“Wow, how did we miss that?”

Alex squeezed her sexy ass. “We’ve been a little busy.”

She crawled on top of him and used his chest as a pillow.

Alex loved the way she fit so perfectly in his arms, as if she’d been made just for him.

“How do you feel about that? With her being an employee and all?”

“You’re an employee,” he said with a chuckle.

“I was your girlfriend before I was an employee.”

“My dad had a thing about us dating employees.”

“I remember you saying that before.”

“I made the mistake of reminding Paul of that just now. I shouldn’t have done that. I could tell he’s already been wrestling with it himself.”

“Your dad would be so proud of both of you. I feel like I’ve gotten to know him through you and Paul and your mom, so I can say that fairly confidently.”

“God, I hope so. We loved him so much. We were scared of him, too, which I now know was part of his master plan to raise decent men.”

“He did a great job at that.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

“Everyone thinks so. What you guys have done for your mom while keeping the business afloat is nothing short of heroic.”

“I don’t know about that. We did what anyone would do for their mother.”

“That’s not true, Alex. Lots of people would’ve put her in a home on the mainland and gone on with their lives. That would’ve been the easy thing to do.”

“We never considered that.”

“Which makes you two extraordinary, especially with a booming business to run, too.”

“I’ve never felt it was extraordinary. It’s what family does for family.”

Jenny sighed and kissed his chest. “I can’t wait to officially join the Martinez family.”

“Are you starting to believe it’s actually going to happen?”

“I’m getting there.”

“I want you to relax and enjoy the next couple of weeks. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Intellectually, I know that. Emotionally, however…”

“I know, baby. I can’t wait to see you coming toward me on the arm of your dad so I can say, ‘Told ya so. It’s all good.’”

“I can’t wait for you to say that.”