Clutch Hit by Faith O'Shea (most popular ebook readers txt) 📗

see Mateo moving toward her, weaving his way through a throng, waiting at the curve of the exit.

And then he was there, her breath suddenly gone, her eyes filled with the appreciation of who he was.

He stopped short, within a hair’s breadth of her, unsure of what to do.

When she heard Jelani tell Alec who he was, she dropped all pretense and stepped into Mateo’s arms. He kissed her then. And she returned it, needing it more than she needed air.

After breaking free, afraid her wobbly legs wouldn’t support her if the kiss went on much longer, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

“I missed you and didn’t want to wait for the Uber to drop you off.” He bussed her lips again and said, “It has been lonely without you.”

Alec laughed. “I know what you mean, bud. When you’re married to a woman who fills a room with her personality, emptiness sets in pretty quickly when she’s gone.”

“Yes, it is like that.”

Jelani who had hold of both the baby and her husband’s hand, made the introductions. “Mateo Alvarez, new third baseman for someone’s favorite team, this is my husband Alec Cleland. He works for the FBI.”

Mateo’s expression froze. “You are here for immigrants?”

“No, that would be ICE. They won’t bother you. You’re here legally.”

“I have heard that doesn’t matter.”

“It matters. Besides you have the FBI, one of the best lawyers this side of the Mississippi, and your wife here with you. They can’t touch you.”

Mateo scanned the area, his expression suggesting he was not reassured.

Allie took his hand, and his fingers linked firmly with hers. “Let’s get out of here.”

Mateo said, “I feel like I’m back in Cuba, looking over my shoulder,” as he took her carry-on away from her.

Jelani said, “You’re not.” She began walking away with her husband, her voice carrying over to where they stood. “One of the best? This side of the Mississippi?’

Allie laughed when the experienced FBI man was almost tongue-tied in his response.

When they reached the car, Mateo opened the doors and stuffed her bag into the trunk.

“I take it you got your license. How’s the driving going?”

“Slowly finding my way around. I was late getting here because I couldn’t find the international gate and had to keep circling. I wanted to see you as soon as you came into view. You looked sad by the time I got there. Did something happen that I should be aware of?”

He’d picked up on that. Her longing must have transformed her expression. She didn’t like that he could read her so well. Going for blasé, she said, “I texted everything went fine. Nothing’s changed.”

His eyes held the burning question. “She has her exit visa?”

“She does. Now we have to finish up on this end, but she should be here within the month.”

He knew all this. She’d gone over the consensus reached by the consulate before she’d boarded the plane.

“I will sleep better when she arrives.”

As soon as he started the engine, Latin music filled the interior of the car. He immediately turned the volume down. The sheepish expression was back. “Lo siento. I get carried away when I’m alone. It brings back some things I liked about the island.”

If she closed her eyes she’d be back on the balcony, looking down at the musicians on the street outside the hotel, the couples dancing, others clapping along with the beat, others singing along. She had gotten a taste of his culture and thought it might be fun to go dancing with him. His body moving sensuously to the rhythm, her body held closely against his chest…

“Allie. I need help here.”

They were at the pay station, but he didn’t know what to do.

“Slide the ticket in the slot and it will tell you what you owe, then slide in your debit card.”

He did exactly what she’d instructed, and when the machine beeped, he extracted the card and put it back in his wallet.

When the gate arm went up, he maneuvered out of the lot, his confidence back. It was more than she’d feel given the circumstances. Within a couple of days of getting her license, she’d had a doctor’s appointment and her father had given her his car to drive. The Lincoln was as long as a boat, there were traffic sawhorses everywhere, making it hard to get around, and she’d been a wreck until she got it back to him without a scratch.

She leaned back and began to enjoy the ride.

“How did yesterday go?”

The one thing she hadn’t talked to him about was his visit to Gloucester.

He glanced over, his sunglasses hiding those penetrating eyes. She was glad she wasn’t able to fall into them.

“Your family was very nice to me.”

She sniggered. “Don’t let your guard down with my father. You are a story waiting to happen.”

“He suggested I announce everything I say here is off the record every time I go there.”

“Feel lucky. He doesn’t even let me get away with that.”

He glanced over, lifted his glasses so he could meet her eyes. He was smiling and she was struck once again at how stunningly gorgeous he was. There would be no shortage of female fans, a niggling worry if it came out that they were together, never mind married.

“I do feel lucky. I am here, you are back, and my mother will follow soon.”

Feeling the effect of his gaze, she lightened up and teased, “Eyes on the road, please.”

He complied, a smile on his lips. She didn’t want to know what it meant, so she shifted in her seat, and introduced a new, neutral topic.

“Cuba is a beautiful country.”

“The island, yes. The stifling life, no. Gloucester is water, beach, gulls, fish, and freedom.”

“How long did you stay?”

“Until nightfall. They asked me to stay the night, but I declined.”

“Did you get stuck answering questions about us?”

“Your mother had a few. Then it was done. She kissed my cheek when I left, welcomed me to the family.”

Ida must have liked him. She’d never gone within two