Page 73 of LA Reign

The pool house is under renovation, but work stalled with everything that has been going on. Alejandro doesn’t want contractors in and out of the house right now, and I don’t either. I wish I could get out more though. I’m doing what work I can for the women’s center from home, but I miss the place. I miss Kristen and the crew. And I’m about to really miss my best friend.

“That sounds like the best plan ever,” she replies. “Though I’m not sure LA can possibly compete with Tony’s.”

I offer to walk her to the check-in desks, but Hank speaks up from the front seat, where he’s sitting beside Jacob at the wheel. “No. Please stay in the car, Mrs. Montoya.”

Kelsey grins at me, and I widen my eyes, feeling like a naughty kid for suggesting such an outrageous thing.

“Bye, Jacob. Stay fresh, Hank,” Kelsey chirps as she jumps out of the car and takes her bag from Hugo.

“Hey, can you at least walk her to the entrance?” I ask him with a smile. “I’m here with Hank, so I’m completely safe.”

He clears his throat. “Of course, Ma’am,” he replies. “I’d be delighted.”

The door closes and the automatic locks click. I watch Kelsey and Hugo through the window. He takes her bag back and wheels it along. Then I smile as he rests his hand on the small of her back while he escorts her through the crowd. When they reach the entrance, they stop and face each other. They exchange a few words, and I wish I could hear what they’re saying. Then Kelsey’s arms slip around Hugo’s neck. She pushes herself up onto her tiptoes and kisses him. I gasp out loud as Hugo stands there, motionless.

Oh, for God’s sake, kiss her back, Hugo! That’s an order!

As if he heard me, he lets go of her bag and wraps his giant arms around her, squashing her body against his as they share an intense lip-locking session.

Wow! Hugo Fernandez kisses like he means it.

I sit back in my seat and grin, feeling like a voyeur but not caring. My girl went for it, and she got paid.

Suddenly I miss Alejandro, so much it hurts. I wonder what he’s doing right now? I wish he was here, kissing me like he means it.

A few moments later, Hugo is climbing back into the car next to me with a slight flush on his cheeks.

“Everything okay?” I ask him as he fastens his seatbelt. He gulps, looks uncomfortable.

“Please don’t tell the boss I was just kissing someone while I was on duty,” he says as he closes his eyes and sucks in a breath.

Jacob chuckles in the front seat as he pulls the car away from the curbside.

“You know I’ll have to though, right?” I say, mimicking the same thing he says to me all the time. “Rules are rules.”

Even Hank snorts at that. I suppose it is the closest he ever comes to laughing. I pat Hugo on the arm and put him out of his misery.

“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.” I wink, and he leans back against the seat with a sigh.

“Is Alejandro at the hotel?” I ask. “Can we swing by on the way home?”

“Yes, but he says he’s not to be disturbed,” Hank replies.

I look out of the window and sigh. I want to see him so much. He left for work early this morning. I have a vague recollection of him kissing my cheek, but by the time I fully woke up, he was gone.

“I’m sure Mr. Montoya wouldn’t mind being disturbed by Mrs. Montoya,” Hugo offers. “We could stop by for a few minutes.”

“On your head be it, kid,” Hank growls.

“I’m sure he won’t mind at all,” Jacob agrees. “I’ll make a detour.”

An hour later, Hugo is escorting me past the armed guards posted at the door to Alejandro’s suite.

“I’ll be right outside this time,” he says with a quirk of his eyebrows.

“I promise not to run away,” I whisper, recalling the last time he brought me here and I disappeared to New York. That was such a dreadful day, and I know Hugo got in a lot of trouble for it.

“Is anybody in with him?” I ask Lorenzo. The guard looks at me a little warily, and I remember he was the one who let me leave in the elevator. Oops.