She gulped. Was she going to cry? Great. Perfect end to a night. He was such a dick. He hated himself.
“No, no, you’re right.” Her voice cracked. “I wanted to sleep with you too. God, it was amazing. It’s been so long since—” She stopped talking.
“Since…”
“What, you have to make me say it?” She smiled coyly. “Since I’ve had sex.”
Jaime wanted to ask her so badly if she’d been with anyone since him. But he couldn’t.
“In case you’re wondering, you’re the only one I’ve ever been with.”
Jaime’s heart quickly soared with pride, and then just as rapidly sank. It was true. He had been right. He was her only lover.
Guilt swallowed him. It wasn’t fair. She hadn’t been his first, and though he had always been faithful when they had been together, he had been a manwhore in recent years.
Such a fucking double standard. The machismo had benefited him clearly, but it didn’t sit right with him.
Plus, even if he had wanted to commit to her, which he couldn’t trust himself to, it wouldn’t be fair to her if he was the only man she’d slept with. What if they got married and one day, she was curious. Another reason why they couldn’t be together. As much as it pained him, she should date other men before she committed to him.
But it had been three years, and she hadn’t.
“May I ask why?”
“I mean, it wasn’t because I was pining over you or anything. I just put all the focus I had into my business. I went on a few dates here and there, but nothing ever sparked. Don’t flatter yourself.”
Jaime tried not to, but he had to admit—he loved that she had only been with him. He was definitely a jerk.
“Don’t you want to be with another man? See what it’s like?”
Alma rolled her eyes. “That’s such a man thing to say. Sex isn’t like that for me. It’s incredible and all, but it was so great with you because I loved you.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “I loved you too.” Did he still? He kissed her sweetly.
He helped her lock up the bar. “I’m going to walk you back—it’s late.”
She didn’t protest this time. They walked along the dark water, a few homeless people milling around. He clutched her to his side. “Do you always walk home alone?”
She nodded. “Yeah, it’s only a block. And Tiburon is very safe.”
His gut clenched. “Sure, it is. But you work until at least two—anything can happen.”
“Ay, Jaime. I’ve lived here for a while and I’m fine.”
Jaime resisted the urge to press further. He didn’t feel comfortable with her being alone here, but he had no right to tell her what to do, just like he didn’t have the right to tell her not to travel to Mexico alone.
They arrived at her front door and her pug barked. Damn, Jaime had forgotten about her dog.
“My poor baby. She misses me when I work.”
“I can watch her, while I’m in town.”
She tilted her head. “Thanks, but no need. My neighbor walks her sometimes, and she has a back patio. She’s a good girl.”
She unlocked the door, knelt down, and kissed her dog. Jaime peeked into Alma’s place. It was cozy but elegant. She had a bright painting on the wall, and a bar full of tequila. He wanted a tour but knew he needed to get back to his room or he would never leave.
Alma put the leash on Tequila, and they headed outside. After Tequila peed on a bush, she led Alma back to her door.
Jaime put his arms on Alma’s shoulders. “Good night, Alma.”
