[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
necessary to launch our Latin American headquarters.
Before our first separation, I was working like a man who wasn t married, and that wasn t fair to
you. It s all I know, querida. It s what I saw my father do all his life. I was five when my parents
divorced, so I didn t fully understand why my mother left.
He stepped closer to her. I ve spoken to my mother, and I understand now. I ve changed. I don t
work the same hours, and I ve been making preparations for you to come live with me. Everything
isn t ready, but I had to come get you as soon as I found out about your pregnancy. I m not giving you
a divorce, and I m not leaving without you.
Leonardo took her face in his hands and looked down into her water-filled eyes. Meu amor, he
murmured, pressing his lips against her cheeks to kiss away her tears. How could you doubt how
much I love you, when I can t even sleep without you beside me?
80
The Arrangement
Delaney Diamond
Alexa s eyes widened in her face.
Eu te amo, querida, he whispered. I love you so much, that if you don t come back to stay, I think
I ll die this time.
Alexa couldn t believe it. Finally, the words she longed to hear were released from the lips of the
only man she d ever loved. Getting up on tiptoe, she flung her arms around his neck. I ve waited so
long to hear you say that.
I ll say it every day for the rest of our lives. Leonardo rained little kisses across her eyelids, down
her nose, and across each cheek, warming her insides. Eu te amo. Eu te amo. Eu te amo.
Alexa looked up into the eyes of her husband. She believed him. He d changed, and she would, too.
She had been afraid of turning into her mother.
She had been worried her marriage would mirror the unhappy mess her parents had been.
She would no longer hide her feelings, and she would let Leonardo know if she felt neglected. She
couldn t expect him to know what was wrong if she wasn t vocal about her needs.
She pulled down his head and pressed her lips against his. I love you, too.
81
The Arrangement
Delaney Diamond
Epilogue
Alexa s bare feet padded softly across the tile covering the rooftop patio where Leonardo was
reclining, the cell phone glued to his ear as he conducted business in Portuguese. The sun was low in
the sky, but it was still warm in Rio de Janeiro, where they d been living for the past year.
Their daughter, Lucélia, was born in Brazil, where Leonardo was successfully spearheading the
launch of Radiant Communications into the Latin American market. In a couple of years, they planned
to return to the United States once the business was established.
As Radiant Communications flourished, so did Second Chance Closet.
There was now a smaller store in DeKalb County, and the larger one in Atlanta had grown by taking
over empty retail space next to it. Additional staff was hired and more volunteers recruited to help
Edna, who became the general manager and oversaw the running of both stores. She and Alexa held
weekly meetings via Skype and communicated via e-mail.
Alexa set a glass of caipirinha on the table next to Leo. She was proud that she had become an expert
at fixing Brazil s national drink just the way Leonardo liked it. However, she was unable to indulge
herself at this time, settling for a glass of the Brazilian soda guaraná, since they d gotten the good
news just days before that she was pregnant again.
Alexa cleared her throat loudly, settling a hand on her hip. It was a few minutes after seven. Business
was cutting into her time.
Leonardo s appreciative gaze ran over her shapely figure in the sarong and bikini top. Smiling, he
spoke rapidly, then hung up with a brisk Ciao.
Come here, he said, setting her glass next to his on the table.
Gladly, Alexa sat on his lap, draping her arms around his neck.
Where is Lucélia? he asked.
Downstairs with your mother, taking a nap.
Hmm . . . interesting. He ran his warm palm down her back. Her body s instantaneous reaction was
to heat up. Have I told you I love you today?
No, you haven t, Alexa said saucily, cocking her ear toward him.
82
The Arrangement
Delaney Diamond
Eu te amo, meu amor, he whispered hotly. He then plucked at the fleshy lobe of her ear with his
lips.
Leo, behave, she said halfheartedly as heat began to pool between her legs.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]